This detailed transportation guide tells you how to get from Istanbul to Izmir and how to travel from Izmir to Istanbul.
When you think of Turkey, you no doubt think of Istanbul as the main city. But did you know that Istanbul isn’t the capital? That title belongs to Ankara.
However, Istanbul is Türkiye’s biggest city by far. Once you arrive, you’ll see how hectic it is! But it’s packed with impressive things to see and do, and you’ll never be bored for a second.
However, Istanbul is not the only must-visit city in Turkey. There’s Ankara and Antalya, but what about cosmopolitan Izmir?
Located on the west coast, Izmir is a modern and beautiful city lapped by the warm waters of the Aegean Sea. The good news? You can easily visit both cities during the space of one holiday.
But how?
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
Izmir From Istanbul By Air – Izmir To Istanbul
The easiest and fastest way between Istanbul and Izmir is undoubtedly by air.
Istanbul to Izmir flight info:
There are two main airports in Istanbul, the newer Istanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side. Both serve Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport daily, with several flights throughout the day.
If you choose to fly from Istanbul Airport, you’ll probably fly with Turkish Airlines, although Pegasus Airlines and Sun Express also serve these routes. The journey time from this airport is just one hour, and if you fly from Sabiha Gokcen, you will fly for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Private Transfers
Once you arrive at Izmir Airport, you can take the Havas shuttle bus, which runs every half an hour and takes half an hour to arrive in the city center. You can also take a taxi if you want to get there a little faster, but this will cost you more.
You can reverse the advice for returning to Istanbul from Izmir. Whether you arrive at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen, a Havas bus service runs from both airports into different parts of Istanbul.
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Izmir From Istanbul By Bus – Istanbul To Izmir Bus
Türkiye has a well-organized, long-distance bus network, and there are three Istanbul Izmir bus providers to choose from – Pamukkale, Metro, and Kamil Koc.
Each provider runs daily services between the two cities from Izmir to Istanbul and from Istanbul to Izmir. The travel time to Izmir is around 7.5 hours, depending upon traffic as you leave and approach Istanbul.
Buses are very comfortable and have entertainment and Wifi on board. There are also refreshments served periodically and a few stops along the way.
Be sure to book your ticket before your journey, as these two cities are often popular journey routes, with students heading between the two major university destinations. You can book online or visit the ticket office at any central bus station.
Of course, reverse the information for your journey back to Istanbul from Izmir.
Izmir From Istanbul By Train – Istanbul Izmir Train
If you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery during your journey, you could opt to travel from Istanbul to Izmir and back again by train. The journey time is 15.5 hours in both directions, and you’ll need to book your ticket ahead of time, regardless of your destination.
Trains are very comfortable and have refreshments on board. You’ll also see the passing countryside and soak up the sights.
To catch the train, head to Yenikapi Station in Istanbul, and you’ll travel down to Izmir Basmane. En route, you’ll stop at Pendik and Eskisehir. There is one service per day, and you’ll reverse the information for your journey back to Istanbul.
Izmir From Istanbul By Car – Drive From Istanbul to Izmir
The fastest option is driving, and you can hire a car very quickly in Istanbul and Izmir. The O-5 main road runs west of the country, taking you down to Izmir, covering 479km. The journey by car will take around 5 hours and 10 minutes, although you may run into traffic as you leave and arrive in Istanbul.
Follow the same route back to Istanbul when you leave Izmir.
How much does it cost to get from Istanbul to Izmir?
The cost of transportation from Istanbul to Izmir varies depending on the mode of travel.
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Izmir?
The travel time from Istanbul to Izmir by high-speed train is around 3.5 to 4 hours. By flight, it takes approximately 1 hour.
How far is Istanbul from Izmir?
Istanbul is approximately 340 kilometers (211 miles) away from Izmir when traveling by road.
How to get from Istanbul to Izmir?
Common transportation options from Istanbul to Izmir include high-speed trains, domestic flights, long-distance buses, and car rentals.
How many trips per day are there between Istanbul and Izmir?
The number of trips between Istanbul and Izmir varies based on the mode of transport. Trains and buses usually have multiple trips per day, while flights have several options throughout the day.
Airlines flying from Istanbul to Izmir
Several airlines offer flights between Istanbul and Izmir, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and AnadoluJet.
Now that you know how to get from Istanbul to Izmir, are you ready?
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Your site has been a Godsend for my planning, and I found a few places to go I had never heard of. Keep up the hard work.
We are coming from the UK, and as grey nomad travellers we are so happy to find such a detailed and informative site compared to many others. Well done.
I found this blog very helpful, thanks
The cost of transportation from Istanbul to Izmir varies depending on the mode of travel.
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We are flying from Izmir to London, that goes to Istanbul will our bags go to London?
We flew Izmir to Zagreb via Istanbul, and yes our bags were checked through as we were on Turkish Airlines (same booking). When you arrive at the airport go to the counter to ask as it depends on the airlines you book with (if it’s the same airline the answer will be yes.).Enjoy.
When you went from Izmir From Istanbul was there long to wait?
The travel time between Izmir and Istanbul depends on the mode of transportation you choose. We flew, and the wait time was usual 2 hours before departure.
I’ve been reading A LOT about Turkey. We arrive there this Monday. Do you recommend Topkapi Palace?
Thanks!
OHHH YES! We loved it, my boys really enjoyed it. Have fun.
Is it better to fly?
That is what we did. The flight typically takes about 1 hour, making it significantly faster than other modes of transportation – but of course you also have to pass security.