There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul to Ankara by train, bus, night bus, rideshare, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
- Take the train from Istanbul to AnkaraHst / ...
bestTrain
5h 40m₺295–416- Take the bus from Samandira Tesis to Ankara
Bus
6h 51m₺726–1,029- Take the night bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Ankara bus stationFlixBus KK0604 / ...
Night bus
6h 45m₺460–650- Take the rideshare from İstanbul to Ankara451.7 km
Rideshare
5h 27m₺399- Drive from Istanbul to Ankara451.7 km
Drive 451.7 km
4h 33m₺1,839–2,657- Take the train from Yenikapi to Ayrilikcesme
- Fly from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)SAW - ESB
Train to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
4h 16m₺820–2,840- Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)IST - ESB
Metro to Istanbul, fly
4h 1m₺1,088–2,588
Istanbul to Ankara by night bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Ankara is to train which costs 290 ₺ - 420 ₺ and takes 5h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Ankara is to Metro and fly which takes 4h 1m and costs 1.000 ₺ - 2.600 ₺.
Yes, there is an overnight bus departing from İstanbul Esenler bus station station and arriving at Ankara bus station station. This bus operates every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 45m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Ankara. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Ankara via Istanbul. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 40m.
The distance between Istanbul and Ankara is 543 km. The road distance is 451.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Ankara without a car is to train which takes 5h 40m and costs 290 ₺ - 420 ₺.
It takes approximately 5h 40m to get from Istanbul to Ankara, including transfers.
Istanbul to Ankara bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, depart from İstanbul Esenler bus station.
Istanbul to Ankara train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Istanbul station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Ankara is to train which takes 5h 40m and costs 290 ₺ - 420 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 700 ₺ - 1.100 ₺ and takes 6h 51m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Ankara, Turkey?
Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Istanbul to Ankara every 3 hours. Tickets cost ₺240–340 and the journey takes 4h 25m. Alternatively, Metro Turizm operates a bus from Samandira Tesis to Ankara every 4 hours. Tickets cost ₺450–650 and the journey takes 5h 15m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,000–2,900
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺800–3,300
- Website
- fly-armenia.com
Flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺700–7,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
Train from Istanbul to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺240–340
- Website
- https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/
Train from Yenikapi to Ayrilikcesme
- Ave. Duration
- 14 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺55–80
- Website
- https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺15
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- iletisim@metroturizm.com.tr
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Samandira Tesis to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺450–650
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Night bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Ankara bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺460–650
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +3 318 576 2228
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from İstanbul to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 27m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺399
- Schedules at
- blablacar.com
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Train travel in Spain: A guide to Renfe, Travelling around the UAE, and The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Ankara bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, arrive at Ankara bus station.
Istanbul to Ankara train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Ankara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Ankara is 452 km. It takes approximately 4h 33m to drive from Istanbul to Ankara.
Book your Istanbul to Ankara bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 212+ hotels available in Ankara. Prices start at 631 ₺ per night.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Istanbul and Ankara. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.