Traveling from Turkey to various cities in Europe and Central/Near Asia is convenient, with a range of transportation options available to suit every budget. Notably, airports in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya serve as bases for connecting flights to numerous capitals and major cities worldwide.
Direct flight durations from Istanbul to various global destinations are as follows:
USA-New York 10 hours
Germany-Berlin 2 hours 10 minutes
Albania-Tirana 1 hour
Azerbaijan-Baku 2 hours 15 minutes
Bahrain 3 hours 15 minutes
Bulgaria-Sofia 40 minutes
Belgium-Brussels 2 hours 45 minutes
United Arab Emirates-Dubai 3 hours 45 minutes
Bosnia and Herzegovina-Sarajevo 1 hour
Algeria-Algeria 2 hours 50 minutes
China-Beijing 8 hours 50 minutes
Denmark-Copenhagen 2 hours 30 minutes
Ethiopia-Addis Ababa 4 hours 35 minutes
Finland-Helsinki 2 hours 40 minutes
France-Paris 2 hours 30 minutes
South Africa-Johannesburg 9 hours 15 minutes
South Korea-Seoul 9 hours 55 minutes
Georgia-Tbilisi 1 hour 40 minutes
India-Delhi 5 hours 40 minutes
Iraq-Baghdad 2 hours
England-London 3 hours
Iran-Tehran 2 hours 30 minutes
Spain-Madrid 3 hours 25 minutes
Italy-Rome 1 hour 45 minutes
Jordan-Amman 1 hour 55 minutes
Ukraine-Kiev 1 hour 20 minutes
Turkmenistan-Ashgabat 3 hours 10 minutes
Saudi Arabia-Riyadh 3 hours 20 minutes
Serbia-Belgrade 1 hour
Russia-Moscow 2 hours 10 minutes
Romania-Bucharest 35 minutes
Portugal-Lisbon 4 hours
Poland-Warsaw 1 hour 45 minutes
Pakistan-Karachi 4 hours 55 minutes
Uzbekistan-Tashkent 4 hours 10 minutes
Egypt-Cairo 1 hour 30 minutes
Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur 10 hours 20 minutes
Lebanon-Beirut 1 hour 15 minutes
Macedonia-Skopje 50 minutes
Libya-Tripoli 2 hours
Hungary-Budapest 7 hours 35 minutes
Latvia-Riga 2 hours 15 minutes
Kuwait 2 hours 40 minutes
Kyrgyzstan-Bishkek 4 hours 50 minutes
Cyprus-Nicosia 1 hour
Kenya-Nairobi 5 hours 55 minutes
Kazakhstan-Astana 4 hours 15 minutes
Japan-Tokyo 11 hours
Passenger connections with Turkey’s neighboring countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, are facilitated through bus services, and the number of passengers utilizing these services is steadily increasing.
Domestic transportation within Turkey is efficiently and safely managed through well-developed land and airline networks. Students often benefit from discounted tariffs on transportation routes provided by both state and private transportation companies.
Luxurious and comfortable buses are the most common means of intercity transportation, offering amenities such as food and beverage services, internet access, and television. Numerous private companies operate bus services within specific regions.
The government-supported railway transportation system is widespread, comfortable, and affordable. High-speed trains operate on lines connecting Ankara-Konya-Ankara, Konya-Eskişehir-İstanbul (Pendik)-Konya, and Ankara-Eskişehir-İstanbul (Pendik)-Ankara, while conventional trains serve other lines. Ongoing efforts are in place to establish new high-speed train lines.
Domestic flights are efficiently handled by numerous national airline companies, with Istanbul and Ankara airports being major hubs. Over 40 cities in Turkey are equipped with airports providing domestic flight services.
The following examples of travel times can be given:
Istanbul – Adana 1 hour 30 minutes
Istanbul – Ankara 1 hour 5 minutes
Istanbul – Antalya 1 hour 15 minutes
Istanbul – Gaziantep 1 hour 40 minutes
Istanbul – Izmir 1 hour 5 minutes
Ankara – Izmir 1 hour 20 minutes
Ankara – Van 1 hour 35 minutes
Ankara – Antalya 1 hour 05 minutes
Urban transportation facilities vary from city to city in Turkey. In major metropolitan areas, much like other global metropolises, traffic congestion is often observed during peak hours. However, ongoing developments in public transportation systems are diversifying options and increasing comfort in urban transportation.
For example, Istanbul provides various modes of transport, including sea travel, roadways, and railways, enabling convenient travel between the Asian and European sides of the city. The extensive rail system networks in major cities facilitate easy commuting between different parts of the urban landscape.
Some cities supplement public transportation services operated by local municipalities with alternative vehicles like minibuses and individually operated buses.
Discounted transportation tariffs are available in all cities, allowing students to access schools and events at highly affordable prices. Additionally, certain universities offer paid or free shuttle services for transportation to and within the campus.
Walking or cycling can also serve as alternative means of transportation, depending on the location and distance between your school, home, or dormitory.