How to get from Istanbul to Kars
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 Kars. The most useful door-to-door route takes 22h 59m by bus, 1 transfer. The two cities are about 1188 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This is the lowest fare we have recorded for this route in the last 14 days.
This fare comes from a search on August 11, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
1188 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €53Checked Sep 9 | 15h 20mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €46Older observation | 22h 59m1 transfer | See Bus details |
- Flight€53Checked Sep 915h 20m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Bus€46Older observation22h 59m · 1 transferSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Istanbul to Kars: 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.
- 1Istanbul → ArpaçaybusKafkas Kars Turizm·21h 35m
- 2Arpaçay → Kars AirportbusLocal bus·1h 04m
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 Kars
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€53Departures from Istanbul to Kars
Kamil Koç runs 10 scheduled departures a day, the first at 08:50 and the last at 17:15.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamil Koçbus | 10 | 08:50 | 17:15 |
| FlixBusbus | 5 | 06:50 | 11:15 |
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
Operators seen on these journeys
Pegasus AirlinesSabiha Gökçen Airport-Mardin AirportSee live options and dates →Rıdvan Ekinci Doğu KarsMardin-KarsBook →On this route you travel with Kafkas Kars Turizm, Local bus, Pegasus Airlines, Rıdvan Ekinci Doğu Kars; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Istanbul to Kars works
Start with a Kafkas Kars Turizm bus from Istanbul to Arpaçay, about 21h 35m. Transfer in Arpaçay and continue by Local bus bus on to Kars (1h 4m). In total it's roughly €46 over 22h 59m, 1 transfer.
Istanbul to Kars: common questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Kars?
The most useful route takes about 22h 59m by bus, 1 transfer.
How far is Kars from Istanbul?
About 1188 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Istanbul to Kars cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €46 to €47. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Which operators run Istanbul to Kars?
On this route you travel with Kafkas Kars Turizm, Local bus, Pegasus Airlines, Rıdvan Ekinci Doğu Kars.
Can you get from Istanbul to Kars without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 22h 59m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Kars?
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 Kars
- how to get from Istanbul to Kars
- Istanbul to Kars travel time
- Istanbul to Kars distance
- cheapest way from Istanbul to Kars
- Istanbul to Kars by bus