How to get from Istanbul to Ankara
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 Istanbul to Ankara. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h, 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 September 7, 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 | €26Checked Sep 7 | 1hFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €17Reading date not recorded | 4h 15mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €19Omio catalogue, Sep 7 | 6h 56mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€26Checked Sep 71h · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€17Reading date not recorded4h 15m · directSee Train details
- Bus€19Omio catalogue, Sep 76h 56m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Istanbul to Ankara: 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.
- 1Sabiha Gökçen Airport → Ankara Esenboğa Airportflight
Pegasus Airlines·1h
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, Istanbul to Ankara
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
September 2026
€43October 2026
€26Departures from Istanbul to Ankara
FlixBus runs 107 scheduled departures a day, the first at 00:15 and the last at 23:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 107 | 00:15 | 23:59 |
| TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.train | 17 | 05:30 | 22:00 |
| Kamil Koçbus | 14 | 00:30 | 23:20 |
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 24m€19Book
Omio last refreshed these on Mon, Sep 7
Operators seen on these journeys
Pegasus AirlinesSabiha Gökçen Airport-Ankara Esenboğa AirportSee live options and dates →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Istanbul-AnkaraBook →
Kamil KoçIstanbul-AnkaraBook →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 Istanbul to Ankara works
Start with a PC flight from Istanbul to Ankara, about 1h. In total it's roughly €26 over 1h, direct, no transfers.
Istanbul to Ankara: common questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Ankara?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 1h. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Ankara from Istanbul?
About 355 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Istanbul to Ankara cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €26. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Ankara?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Ankara?
About 1h, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Istanbul and Ankara?
Istanbul is SAW and Ankara is ESB, so this route is usually written SAW to ESB.
Which operators run Istanbul to Ankara?
On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Kamil Koç.
Can you get from Istanbul to Ankara without flying?
Yes. A ground route by train takes about 4h 15m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Ankara?
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.
Other ways people search Istanbul to Ankara
- how to get from Istanbul to Ankara
- Istanbul to Ankara travel time
- Istanbul to Ankara distance
- cheapest way from Istanbul to Ankara
- Istanbul to Ankara flight time
- flights from Istanbul to Ankara
- Istanbul Ankara direct flights
- SAW to ESB
- Istanbul to Ankara by bus