There are 6 ways to get from Athens to Istanbul by plane, bus, ferry, car, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Istanbul, bus
best- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul (IST)plane ATH - IST
- Take the bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul Otogaribus
5h 55m₺2,682–9,232Bus
- Take the bus from Athens to Istanbulbus
14h₺4,000–6,000Ferry, bus
- Take the ferry from Port of Piraeus to Mytileneferry Hsw
- Take the ferry from Mytilene to Port of Ayvalikferry
- Take the bus from Ayvalik to Istanbul Otogarbus
23h 47m₺4,361–6,418Drive 1,065 km
- Drive from Athens to Istanbulcar 1,065 km
11h 38m₺9,638–13,921Fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane ATH - SAW
- Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesitrain
5h 20mFly to Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos, bus
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos (AXD)plane ATH - AXD
- Take the bus from Alexandroupoli Evros Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler Otogaribus
7h 3m₺5,012–9,552
Athens International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul (IST) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Istanbul is to bus which costs 4.000 ₺ - 6.000 ₺ and takes 14h.
The fastest way to get from Athens to Istanbul is to fly and bus which takes 5h 55m and costs 2.600 ₺ - 9.500 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Athens and arriving at Istanbul. Services depart once a week, and operate Friday. The journey takes approximately 14h.
The distance between Athens and Istanbul is 631 km. The road distance is 1065 km.
The best way to get from Athens to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 14h and costs 4.000 ₺ - 6.000 ₺.
It takes approximately 5h 55m to get from Athens to Istanbul, including transfers.
Athens to Istanbul bus services, operated by Crazy Holidays, depart from Athens station.
Athens to Istanbul bus services, operated by Crazy Holidays, arrive at Istanbul station.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Athens. It is currently 2:30 PM in Athens and 3:30 PM in Istanbul.
Yes, the driving distance between Athens to Istanbul is 1065 km. It takes approximately 11h 38m to drive from Athens to Istanbul.
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey?
Crazy Holidays operates a bus from Athens to Istanbul once a week. Tickets cost ₺4,000–6,000 and the journey takes 14h.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–8,500
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul via Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–8,500
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul via Mykonos
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–8,500
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul via Santorini
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–8,500
Flights from Athens International Airport to Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–7,000
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–8,500
- Website
- ch.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,800–8,500
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,800–8,000
Flights from Athens International Airport to Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,900–4,500
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,600–11,000
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- 0850 888 33 34
- info@hava.ist
- Website
- hava.ist
Bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺130–280
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=en
- Phone
- +30 2310241545
- crazy.holidays.tours@gmail.com
- Website
- crazyholidays.gr
Bus from Athens to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 14h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- ₺4,000–6,000
- Website
- https://www.crazyholidays.gr/root.en.aspx
Bus from Alexandroupoli Evros Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,200–3,000
- Website
- https://www.crazyholidays.gr/root.en.aspx
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Ayvalik to Istanbul Otogar
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 17m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺650–910
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺650–800
Ferry from Port of Piraeus to Mytilene
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 15m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- ₺2,600–3,600
- Website
- https://www.hellenicseaways.gr/en-gb
- Airplane Type Seats
- ₺2,600–3,600
Ferry from Port of Piraeus to Mytilene
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- ₺2,200–2,800
- Website
- https://www.bluestarferries.com/en-gb/
- Phone
- +90 2327121808
- cesme@turyol.com
- Website
- turyolonline.com
Ferry from Mytilene to Port of Ayvalik
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,500–1,900
- Website
- https://www.turyolonline.com/en
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Getting around the Cyclades
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
There are 4352+ hotels available in Istanbul.