You can travel to Turkey in many different ways: by road, plane, train or sea. Major roads link Turkey with Europe and Asia. The country's international airports provide top-notch services. Rail connections with Europe and Middle East are very few but can give you a nostalgic journey. Turkish ports welcome several cruise ships and local ferries all year round.
By Air
By far the fastest and easiest way to get to Turkey is to fly; there are direct flights to a variety of Turkish destinations from all major capitals and cities of the world. Various International Airlines have regular flights to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Dalaman airports.
Prices, Information and Reservations: For all sorts of flight informations you can contact your travel agent in your own country or check online with airlines' websites. Please check Passport and Visa information before you travel to Turkey.
By Sea
Passenger Ferries: Apart from the numerous cruises in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, several foreign shipping companies have regular services from Greek islands, Ukraine and Russia to the ports of Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Iskenderun.
Car Ferries: There used to be car ferries for people who prefered to bring their car from Italy (Venice, Ancona, Trieste) to Cesme and Istanbul, but not anymore. Now, if you wish to drive your car from Europe to Turkey you should first take ferries to Greece and Greek islands and then to Turkey.
Lines between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus;
Ferry lines between Turkey and the Greek Islands;
- Ayvalik - Midilli (Lesbos)
- Cesme - Sakiz (Chios)
- Kusadasi - Sisam (Samos)
- Bodrum - Istankoy (Cos)
- Marmaris - Rodos (Rhodes)
- Datca - Simi
Prices, Information and Reservations: For further information please contact your travel agent in your country or check online with ferry companies' websites. Please check Passport and Visa information before you travel to Turkey.
By Train
Train journeys can be made to Istanbul from and via some of the major cities in Europe, with a connection in Greece. There are also trains to Iran, with connections.
Prices, Information and Reservations: For further information you may contact the Turkish Railways (TCDD) or your local travel agent in your country. Please check Passport and Visa information before you travel to Turkey.
By Car
By private car, London - Istanbul is approximately 3,040 kilometers (1,890 miles). Milan - Istanbul is approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). Paris - Istanbul is approximately 2,730 kilometers (1,700 miles). Berlin - Istanbul is approximately 2,200 kilometers (1,370 miles). Tehran - Istanbul is approximately 2,450 kilometers (1,520 miles).
Northern Route : Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey. Border gates between Bulgaria and Turkey are at Kapikule (Kapitan Andreevo), Derekoy (Malko Tarnovo) and Hamzabeyli (Lesovo).
Southern Route : Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, or via ferry to Turkey. Border gates between Greece and Turkey are at Ipsala (Kipoi) and Pazarkule (Kastanies).
Border gates between Iran and Turkey are at Gurbulak (Bazargan), Kapikoy (Razi) and Esendere (Serow). Border gates between Iraq and Turkey are at Habur (Zaho) and Cukurca-Uzumlu. Border gates between Georgia and Turkey are at Sarp (Sarpi) and Posof-Turkgozu (Vale).
Please check Passport and Visa information before you travel to Turkey.
By Bus
There are some regular services between Turkey and Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Greece; also from Iraq, Iran, Georgia and Azarbaijan. Some of them operate only during summer period or on special dates, but others all year around.
Please check Passport and Visa information before you travel to Turkey.