There are 7 ways to get from Kars to Istanbul by plane, bus, train, 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 to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
best- Fly from Kars Airport (KSY) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)KSY - SAW
3h 36m₺3,390–6,230Train
cheapest- Take the train from Kars to AnkaraDoğu Ekspresi
- Take the train from Ankara to Istanbul SöğütlüçeşmeYht / ...
31h 51m₺1,382–3,288Bus
- Take the bus from Kars bus station to İstanbul Esenler bus stationFlixBus KK0673
22h 57m₺1,934–2,676Train via Sivas
- Take the train from Kars to Sivas92009
- Take the train from Sivas to Istanbul81459
23h 9m₺1,823–2,962Drive 1,417.7 km
- Drive from Kars to Istanbul1,417.7 km
18h 16m₺7,036–10,163Fly to Istanbul
- Fly from Kars Airport (KSY) to Istanbul (IST)KSY - IST
3h 3m₺12,277–13,709Bus via Hopa
- Take the bus from Kars to Hopa Artvin
- Take the bus from Hopa to Istanbul Samandira Tesis
- Take the bus from Samandira Tesis to Istanbul Otogari
24h 33m₺1,551–2,630
Kars Airport (KSY) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Kars to Istanbul is to train which costs 1.300 ₺ - 3.300 ₺ and takes 31h 51m.
The fastest way to get from Kars to Istanbul is to fly which takes 3h 3m and costs 12.000 ₺ - 14.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Kars to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Kars and arriving at Istanbul Otogari via Hopa and Samandira Tesis. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 24h 33m.
No, there is no direct train from Kars to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Kars and arriving at Yenikapi via Sivas and Söğütlüçeşme. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 23h 9m.
The distance between Kars and Istanbul is 1206 km. The road distance is 1417.7 km.
The best way to get from Kars to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 22h 57m and costs 1.900 ₺ - 2.700 ₺.
It takes approximately 3h 36m to get from Kars to Istanbul, including transfers.
Kars to Istanbul bus services, operated by Yesil Artvin Ekspres, depart from Kars station.
Kars to Istanbul train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Kars station.
The best way to get from Kars to Istanbul is to fly which takes 3h 36m and costs 3.300 ₺ - 6.500 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 1.900 ₺ - 2.700 ₺ and takes 22h 57m, you could also train via Sivas, which costs 1.800 ₺ - 3.000 ₺ and takes 23h 9m.
What companies run services between Kars, Turkey and Istanbul, Turkey?
AJet and Pegasus Airlines fly from Kars Airport (KSY) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) 3 times a day. Alternatively, Kamil Koc operates a bus from Kars bus station to İstanbul Esenler bus station once daily. Tickets cost ₺1,700–2,400 and the journey takes 22h 50m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- ajet.com
Flights from Kars Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,200–6,000
Flights from Kars Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport via Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,200–6,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Kars Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,000–16,000
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Kars Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺11,000–12,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Kars to Sivas
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 48m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺800–1,300
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Sivas to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 59m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,000–1,700
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Kars to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 26h 13m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺700–2,200
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Ankara to Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 28m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺650–1,100
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Kars bus station to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 22h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,400
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Kars to Hopa Artvin
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺70–700
- Schedules at
- obilet.com
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Hopa to Istanbul Samandira Tesis
- Ave. Duration
- 16h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,500
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺1,100–1,400
Bus from Samandira Tesis to Istanbul Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 36 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺380–460
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺380–460
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
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More Questions & Answers
Kars to Istanbul bus services, operated by Yesil Artvin Ekspres, arrive at Hopa Artvin station.
Kars to Istanbul train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sivas station.
Yes, the driving distance between Kars to Istanbul is 1418 km. It takes approximately 18h 16m to drive from Kars to Istanbul.
There are 4247+ hotels available in Istanbul.