There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul to Kars by train, plane, bus, 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 Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
best- Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Kars Airport (KSY)plane SAW - KSY
4h 22mBus via Çayeli
cheapest- Take the bus from İstanbul Dudullu to Cayelibus
- Take the bus from Çayeli to Karsbus
29h 15m₺1,165–2,446Bus
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Kars bus stationbus FlixBus KK0673
23h 5m₺1,965–2,649Train via Sivas
- Take the train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Sivastrain Yht
- Take the train from Sivas to Karstrain Doğu Ekspresi
24h 50m₺2,115–3,423Drive 1,420.7 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Karscar 1,420.7 km
18h 17m₺7,194–10,391Fly from Istanbul
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Kars Airport (KSY)plane IST - KSY
4h 13m₺7,296–23,882Train
- Take the train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Ankaratrain Yht / ...
- Take the train from Ankara to Karstrain Doğu Ekspresi
32h 41m₺2,065–3,323
Istanbul to Kars by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Kars is to bus via Çayeli which costs 1.100 ₺ - 2.500 ₺ and takes 29h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Kars is to fly which takes 4h 13m and costs 7.000 ₺ - 24.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul to Kars. However, there are services departing from İstanbul Esenler and arriving at Kars via İstanbul Dudullu and Çayeli. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 29h 15m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Kars. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Kars via Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme and Sivas. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 24h 50m.
The distance between Istanbul and Kars is 1206 km. The road distance is 1420.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Kars without a car is to bus which takes 23h 5m and costs 1.900 ₺ - 2.700 ₺.
It takes approximately 4h 22m to get from Istanbul to Kars, including transfers.
Istanbul to Kars bus services, operated by Ali Osman ULUSOY, depart from İstanbul Dudullu station.
Istanbul to Kars train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Kars is to bus which takes 23h 5m and costs 1.900 ₺ - 2.700 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Sivas, which costs 2.100 ₺ - 3.500 ₺ and takes 24h 50m, you could also fly, which costs 7.000 ₺ - 24.000 ₺ and takes 4h 13m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Kars, Turkey?
Kamil Koc operates a bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Kars bus station twice daily. Tickets cost ₺1,700–2,400 and the journey takes 22h 58m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Kars via Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme and Sivas in around 24h 50m.
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,200–13,000
- Website
- ajet.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,800–6,500
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport via Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,800–6,500
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺7,000–24,000
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Sivas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 22m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,300–2,100
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Sivas to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 14m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺800–1,300
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 29m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺650–1,100
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Ankara to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 26h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,400–2,200
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Kars bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 22h 58m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,400
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 850 532 8888
- info@aliosmanulusoy.com
- Website
- aliosmanulusoy.com
Bus from İstanbul Dudullu to Cayeli
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺950–1,300
- Schedules at
- aliosmanulusoy.com
Bus from Çayeli to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺75–700
- Schedules at
- obilet.com
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
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More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Kars bus services, operated by Ali Osman ULUSOY, arrive at Cayeli station.
Istanbul to Kars train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sivas station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Kars is 1421 km. It takes approximately 18h 17m to drive from Istanbul to Kars.
There are 20+ hotels available in Kars.