Antalya is the fifth largest city in Turkey, and one of the hotspots for tourism during the summer period. As the largest city along the Mediterranean shoreline, it becomes very popular with visitors to the “Turkish Riviera” with its beaches, old town harbour and scenic seaside parks overflowing during tourist season. Most visitors tend to be international, entering the country via Istanbul. But how far is Antalya from Istanbul?
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Table of Contents
- The quick answer
- How far is Antalya from Istanbul by flight?
- How far is Antalya from Istanbul by bus?
- Can you catch the train?
- The best way to Antalya from Istanbul
The quick answer
Antalya is 480 kilometers from Istanbul in a direct line. By road, the quickest route covers 695 kilometers and takes around 8.5 hours to cover. The quickest way to Antalya from Istanbul is to fly, with the 463 kilometer route covered in approximately 1.4 hours. For budget travelers, the bus is the most convenient way to get to Antalya from Istanbul, taking between 10 and 11 hours for the 773 kilometer route.
Now let’s take a closer look at those options as we delve into the question of exactly how far Antalya is from Istanbul.
How far is Antalya from Istanbul by flight?
As mentioned above, the flight to Antalya from Istanbul takes just under an hour and a half, and is the most direct way to Antalya. The city is serviced by a major international airport, which is located only 13 kilometers from the city.
The most flights from Istanbul to Antalya leave from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), with 14 flights typical on any given day. Sabiha Gokcen is easy to access from the city of Istanbul, with shuttle buses running direct services to both Kadikoy and Taksim Square. It is also serviced by the Metro, which is a great budget option. The SAW line runs into Kadikoy, where passengers can link with the Marmaray, bus, or the Istanbul Ferry services.
For more information on getting to and from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, check out THIS article.
The new Istanbul Airport also runs up to 11 flights per day to Antalya. This airport is located on the European side of the city, as opposed to Sabiha Gokcen which is located on the Asian side. To access the airport, you can also take the Havabus from both Taksim Square and Kadikoy, or simply catch the Metro directly to the airport.
How far is Antalya from Istanbul by bus?
The bus route to Antalya from Istanbul covers around 773 Kilometers and takes around 10 and a half hours to complete, although you may find some services that advertise it only takes around 9 to 10 hours. A typical bus service will stop at 10 to 12 stops along the route, however the most direct route tends to stop at only about 8.
Taking the bus to Antalya from Istanbul is definitely the best option if you are on a budget. Flixbus is very popular amongst backpackers and budget travelers around Europe, and can be a great option in Turkey. My personal favorite is Pamukkale, which always seem to have quality buses, are easy to book, and run a more professional and friendly operation than some of the other companies.
For more information on catching the bus in Turkey, check out THIS article.
To easily book the bus or check timetables, then take a look at THIS link.
Can you catch the train?
In short, no. And yes. There are actually no trains connecting Istanbul and Antalya at this time. If you really want to catch a train, you will eventually have to change to a bus anyway, so best to just fly, or catch the bus from Istanbul.
The best way to Antalya from Istanbul
If money is not an object and you want to get to Antalya from Istanbul the fastest way, then the best option of travel is by far to fly.
If you are on a budget, and time is not important, then I will always suggest to catch the bus. They are comfortable, you see some beautiful parts of the country, and you save a lot of money.
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