There are 6 ways to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens by plane, bus, train, rideshare, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Athens International Airport (ATH)IST - ATH
2h 19m€49–171Bus, train
cheapest- Take the bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Yenibosna Kuleli
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Thessaloniki station
- Take the train from Thessaloniki to AthensIc
17h 53m€42–85Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Istanbul-IST to Central Athens1,034 km
11h 20mDrive 1,034 km
- Drive from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens1,034 km
11h 20m€184–266Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul AksarayHvl-1
- Take the bus from Istanbul to Athens
18h 35m€83–127Bus via Komotini
- Take the bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Tekirdağ
- Take the bus from Tekirdag to Komotini
- Take the bus from Komotini to Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL
20h 29m€99–102
Istanbul (IST) to Athens International Airport (ATH) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens is to bus and train which costs €40 - €85 and takes 17h 53m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens is to fly which takes 2h 19m and costs €45 - €180.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens. However, there are services departing from Istanbul Airport Bus and arriving at Athens via Istanbul. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h 35m.
The distance between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Central Athens is 585 km. The road distance is 1034 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens without a car is to bus and train which takes 17h 53m and costs €40 - €85.
It takes approximately 2h 19m to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens, including transfers.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens bus services, operated by HAVAİST, depart from Istanbul Airport Bus station.
The best way to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens is to fly which takes 2h 19m and costs €45 - €180. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €80 - €130 and takes 18h 35m.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens bus services, operated by HAVAİST, arrive at Istanbul Aksaray station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens is 1034 km. It takes approximately 11h 20m to drive from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Central Athens.
What companies run services between Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey and Central Athens, Greece?
Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and two other airlines fly from Istanbul (IST) to Athens International Airport (ATH) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Athens via Istanbul Aksaray and Istanbul in around 18h 35m.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–170
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport via Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- €35–170
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–170
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport via Izmir
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €60–110
- Website
- ch.com
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €55–160
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–150
- Phone
- 14511
- Website
- hellenictrain.gr
Train from Thessaloniki to Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €22–35
- Website
- https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en
- Phone
- 0850 888 33 34
- info@hava.ist
- Website
- hava.ist
Bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Yenibosna Kuleli
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €2–5
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=en
Bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul Aksaray
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €2–7
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=en
- Phone
- +30 2310241545
- crazy.holidays.tours@gmail.com
- Website
- crazyholidays.gr
Bus from Istanbul to Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 16h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €80–120
- Website
- https://www.crazyholidays.gr/root.en.aspx
- Phone
- 0850 222 59 59
- info@istanbulseyahat.com.tr
- Website
- istanbulseyahat.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Tekirdağ
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- €10
- Schedules at
- istanbulseyahat.com.tr
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Tekirdag to Komotini
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €12–15
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- €12–15
- Phone
- +30 25310 22912
- info@ktelrodopis.gr
- Website
- ktelrodopis.gr
Bus from Komotini to Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL
- Ave. Duration
- 10h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €75
- Schedules at
- ktelrodopis.gr
- Book at
- ktelrodopis.e-ticketing.gr
Want to know more about travelling around Greece
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Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Central Athens. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.