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 18m₺4,258–17,315Train
cheapest- Take the train from Istanbul(Pendik) to Ankara Gartrain Hst / ...
- Take the train from Ankara to Karstrain Doğu Ekspresi
32h 26m₺1,578–3,358Bus
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Kars bus stationbus FlixBus KK0673
22h₺1,700–2,400Train via Sivas
- Take the train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Sivastrain Yht
- Take the train from Sivas to Karstrain Doğu Ekspresi
24h 24m₺2,297–3,465Drive 1,420.6 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Karscar 1,420.6 km
18h 12m₺7,990–11,540Fly from Istanbul
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Kars Airport (KSY)plane IST - KSY
4h 8m₺11,254–32,294Bus via Hopa
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Hopabus
- Take the bus from Hopa Artvin to Karsbus
27h 30m₺2,165–4,473
Istanbul to Kars by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Kars is to bus which costs 1.700 ₺ - 2.400 ₺ and takes 22h.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Kars is to fly which takes 4h 8m and costs 11.000 ₺ - 33.000 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from İstanbul Esenler bus station station and arriving at Kars bus station station. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 22h.
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 24m.
The distance between Istanbul and Kars is 1206 km. The road distance is 1420.6 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Kars without a car is to bus which takes 22h and costs 1.700 ₺ - 2.400 ₺.
It takes approximately 4h 18m to get from Istanbul to Kars, including transfers.
Istanbul to Kars bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, depart from İstanbul Esenler bus 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 22h and costs 1.700 ₺ - 2.400 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Sivas, which costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.500 ₺ and takes 24h 24m, you could also fly, which costs 11.000 ₺ - 33.000 ₺ and takes 4h 8m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Kars, Turkey?
Kamil Koç 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. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Kars via Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme and Sivas in around 24h 24m.
- Website
- ajet.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,000–17,000
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport via Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,000–17,000
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺11,000–32,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kars Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,400–18,000
- 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
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
#/media/File:M5_K%C4%B1s%C4%B1kl%C4%B1_Metro_%C4%B0stasyonu.jpg "Uskudar-Cekmekoy Metro train")
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Sivas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,400–2,100
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Sivas to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺850–1,300
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Istanbul(Pendik) to Ankara Gar
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺650–950
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Ankara to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 26h 26m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺850–2,300
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- Kamil Koç
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Kars bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 22h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,400
- Schedules at
- Kamil Koç
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- MetroTurizm
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Hopa
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,100–3,700
- Website
- MetroTurizm
- Standard
- ₺2,600–3,700
Bus from Hopa Artvin to Kars
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺65–800
- Schedules at
- obilet.com
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Booking & Getting There
Istanbul to Kars bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, arrive at Kars bus 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 12m to drive from Istanbul to Kars.
There are 20+ hotels available in Kars.