There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul to Athens by train, plane, bus, ferry, 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.
Metro to Istanbul, fly
best- Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Athens International Airport (ATH)plane IST - ATH
5h 27m€71–191Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul to Athensbus
15h€80–120Bus, ferry
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogar to Ayvalikbus
- Take the ferry from Port of Ayvalik to Mytileneferry
- Take the ferry from Mytilene to Port of Piraeusferry Hsw
23h 46m€101–250Drive 1,056.3 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Athenscar 1,056.3 km
11h 41m€197–285Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Athens International Airport (ATH)plane SAW - ATH
5h 47m€151–301Bus to Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos, fly
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Alexandroupoli Evros Bus Stationbus
- Fly from Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos (AXD) to Athens International Airport (ATH)plane AXD - ATH
8h 42m€108–219Bus, train
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Thessaloniki stationbus Arda-Tur
- Take the train from Thessaloniki to Athenstrain Ic
15h 39m€132–152
Istanbul to Athens by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Athens is to bus which costs €80 - €120 and takes 15h.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Athens is to Metro and fly which takes 5h 27m and costs €70 - €200.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul and arriving at Athens. Services depart once a week, and operate Thursday. The journey takes approximately 15h.
The distance between Istanbul and Athens is 628 km. The road distance is 1056.3 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Athens without a car is to bus which takes 15h and costs €80 - €120.
It takes approximately 5h 27m to get from Istanbul to Athens, including transfers.
Istanbul to Athens bus services, operated by Crazy Holidays, depart from Istanbul station.
Istanbul to Athens bus services, operated by Crazy Holidays, arrive at Athens station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Athens is 1056 km. It takes approximately 11h 41m to drive from Istanbul to Athens.
There are 13173+ hotels available in Athens.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Athens, Greece?
Crazy Holidays operates a bus from Istanbul to Athens once a week. Tickets cost €80–120 and the journey takes 15h.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €60–280
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport via Heraklion
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- €60–180
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport via Santorini
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Thursday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- €60–180
Flights from Istanbul to Athens International Airport via Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €95–300
Flights from Alexandroupoli Airport Dimokritos to Athens International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–170
- 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
- €1
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €1
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- +30 2310241545
- crazy.holidays.tours@gmail.com
- Website
- Crazy Holidays
Bus from Istanbul to Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 15h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €80–120
- Website
- Crazy Holidays
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Alexandroupoli Evros Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €45–60
- Website
- Crazy Holidays
- Phone
- +90 2327121808
- cesme@turyol.com
- Website
- Turyol
Ferry from Port of Ayvalik to Mytilene
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- €29–30
- Website
- Turyol
Want to know more about travelling around Greece
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













