Buses from Ankara to Istanbul from TRY 690 Oct 2026 ✅

Ankara to Istanbul Destination Reviews

Jonny P

The trip was comfortable however there were a few logistical issues. Firstly, this bus service doesnt take you to the Alibeykoy bus station as described. When asked if they would take us there I was told I should get a taxi. Luckily I had not pre arranged pick up with my hotel so this did not cause an issue however I was dropped off much further out from the city than expected. Secondly, the seat I was allocated had been given to someone else, and I was asked to move from window to aisle seat. Not the end of the world however when I had booked the trip 2 weeks in advance it would be nice if the allocated seat had been secured.

Ankara to Istanbul, Bus Standard 2X1, Yeni Aksaray, Sep 21, 2026

4.4

9 customer reviews

56%

11%

22%

11%

Ankara to Istanbul Bus Schedule

Operator	Class	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price
Hatay Nur Seyahat	Standard 2X1	00:00	09:00	$11.38
Ali Osman Ulusoy	Standard 2X1	00:19	07:19	$11.38
Yeni Aksaray	Standard 2X1	00:40	08:40	$11.56
Elazig Hazar Turizm	Standard 2X1	00:57	07:57	$12.19
Varan Turizm	Standard 2X1	01:15	07:15	$12.80
Can Diyarbakir	Standard 2X1	01:33	07:33	$16.26
Mersin Nur Turizm	Standard 2X2	01:50	08:50	$10.16
Varan Turizm	Standard 2X1	02:15	08:15	$18.29
Lider Istanbul	Standard 2X1	02:31	10:31	$9.14
Can Diyarbakir	Standard 2X2	02:50	08:50	$16.26
Yesil Mus Ovasi	Standard 2X1	03:10	09:10	$20.32
Oz Ercis	Standard 2X1	03:26	10:26	$12.19
Metro Turizm	Standard 2X1	03:45	11:45	$15.24
Yeni Sivas Turizm	Standard 2X1	04:15	11:15	$10.16
Lider Vip Travel	Standard 2X2	04:31	11:31	$9.96
Van Kalesi Turizm	Standard 2X1	04:50	11:50	$9.14
Yeni Bingol Seyahat	Standard 2X1	05:10	14:10	$11.38
Luks Afsinlilar Seyahat	Standard 2X1	05:30	12:30	$9.14
Oz Ercis	Standard 2X1	05:46	12:46	$12.19
Mersin Nur Turizm	Standard 2X2	06:03	14:03	$12.19

How to get from Ankara to Istanbul by Bus

Taking a bus to get from Ankara to Istanbul is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. To less traveled destinations, there may be only 1 scheduled trip a day. The most common bus types are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, and premium buses.

It is best to reserve your tickets at least a few days ahead of your travel date. Check our list of bus companies available for online booking offering Ankara to Istanbul tickets. When traveling on weekends and holidays it is recommended to reserve tickets much earlier due to higher numbers of travelers, both vacation-makers and urban workers returning home to their provincial home.

How far is it from Ankara to Istanbul?

Traveling by bus, the distance from Ankara to Istanbul depends on the route taken. Most bus companies travel via expressways or tollways. This may not necessarily be the shortest route but it is the fastest one as normally there is less traffic and no traffic lights.

To get to certain island destinations which are not connected to the mainland by a bridge, buses board large car ferries. Passengers are usually asked to get off the bus, but there is no need to take your luggage from the bus. The travel distance from port to port is added to the total distance.

How long does it take to get from Ankara to Istanbul by Bus?

The estimate travel time from Ankara to Istanbul is about 4h. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Ankara and Istanbul may differ greatly There is usually more traffic between morning until afternoon during weekdays than during weekends.

Another important factor that may affect travel time is the type of bus. Premium or VIP buses are usually faster as they use motorways and call to fewer bus stations (if any) en route. Buses normally make short 10-30-minute breaks after a few hours of continuous travel to allow passengers use bathrooms, stock up on munchies and let bus attendants and the driver have rest.

Some premium buses have onboard toilets and the second driver. Nevertheless, usually they still make en route stops for a quick lunch or fuel refill.

How much does it cost to get from Ankara to Istanbul by Bus?

The ticket price from Ankara to Istanbul can vary depending on the type of buses you choose. For a less expensive ticket consider non-air-conditioned or ordinary buses. Premium or luxury buses are more expensive but you can expect more comfort and some additional services like phone charging ports, personal entertainment system screens and toilets.

Best Rated Companies for this Route

Bus companies differ a lot in quality and service they provide. When choosing a bus company for you travels, do some basic research before you buy your tickets.

Safety is one of the most important aspects to consider. We also recommend you checking reviews on overall service quality of the bus companies serving this route.

Our service only partners with reliable and trustworthy bus companies. We do our best to provide your a choice of the best operators available on each route.

Transportation from Ankara to Istanbul

Trains are not available

Ferries are not available

Vans are not available

Facts about the bus from Ankara to Istanbul

Cheapest Bus	$15
Fastest Bus	4h
Earliest Bus	12:10 AM
Latest Bus	11:59 PM
Daily Bus Routes	306
Distance	600 kilometers
Bus Companies	Adiyaman Unal Turizm, Aksu Turizm, Ali Osman Ulusoy, Astor Seyahat, Ben Turizm, Best Van, Can Diyarbakir, Cizre Itimat, Elazig Hazar Turizm, Has Karayolu, Hatay CSR, Hatay Nur Seyahat, Istanbul Seyahat, Lider Elbistan, Lider Vip Travel, Luks Afsinlilar Seyahat, Luks Erzincan Seyahat, Luks Mersin Turizm, Malatya Medine, Mersin Nur Turizm, Mersin Seyahat, Metro Turizm, Nigde Aydogan, Nigde Inan, Oz Diyarbakir, Oz Elaziglilar Seyahat, Oz Ercis, Oz Gularas, Oz Sivas Turizm, Ozlem Mardin VIF, Ozlem Van Turizm, Sanal Kirsehir, Sec Turizm, Sivas Huzur Turizm, Star Diyarbakir, Suha Turizm, Vib Turizm, Villa Seyahat, Yeni Aksaray, Yeni Diyarbakir Seyahat, Yeni Sivas Turizm, Yukseller Aksaray Birlik

Popular Routes

Buses from Ankara to Istanbul