How to get from Ankara to Istanbul
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Ankara to Istanbul. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h 10m, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 355 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €17, on Wed, Aug 26.
This fare comes from a search on August 31, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
355 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €43Checked Sep 7 | 1h 10mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €17Reading date not recorded | 4h 16mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €18Older observation | 6h 17mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€43Checked Sep 71h 10m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€17Reading date not recorded4h 16m · directSee Train details
- Bus€18Older observation6h 17m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Ankara to Istanbul: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Ankara Esenboğa Airport → Sabiha Gökçen Airportflight
Pegasus Airlines·1h 10m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Ankara to Istanbul
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
September 2026
€25October 2026
€25Departures from Ankara to Istanbul
FlixBus runs 39 scheduled departures a day, the first at 00:00 and the last at 23:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 39 | 00:00 | 23:59 |
| TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.train | 17 | 05:55 | 22:00 |
| Kamil Koçbus | 16 | 00:10 | 23:00 |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 6h 25m€19Book
Omio last refreshed these on Mon, Sep 7
Operators seen on these journeys
Pegasus AirlinesAnkara Esenboğa Airport-Sabiha Gökçen AirportSee live options and dates →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Ankara-IstanbulBook →
Kamil KoçAnkara-IstanbulBook →On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Kamil Koç; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Ankara to Istanbul works
Start with a PC flight from Ankara to Istanbul, about 1h 10m. In total it's roughly €27 over 1h 10m, direct, no transfers.
Ankara to Istanbul: common questions
How long does it take to get from Ankara to Istanbul?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 1h 10m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Istanbul from Ankara?
About 355 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Ankara to Istanbul cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €27. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Are there direct flights from Ankara to Istanbul?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h 10m.
How long is the flight from Ankara to Istanbul?
About 1h 10m, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Ankara and Istanbul?
Ankara is ESB and Istanbul is SAW, so this route is usually written ESB to SAW.
Which operators run Ankara to Istanbul?
On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Kamil Koç.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ankara to Istanbul?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Related links
Flying instead? Ankara to Istanbul flight prices€25Other ways people search Ankara to Istanbul
- how to get from Ankara to Istanbul
- Ankara to Istanbul travel time
- Ankara to Istanbul distance
- cheapest way from Ankara to Istanbul
- Ankara to Istanbul flight time
- flights from Ankara to Istanbul
- Ankara Istanbul direct flights
- ESB to SAW