How to travel from Cologne to İstanbul, Turkey

The distance between Cologne and İstanbul is around 2,016km (1,252 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 45m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Cologne to İstanbul by plane, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out İstanbulCologne if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Cologne Bonn (CGN) to Istanbul (IST).

  • Duration3h 45m
  • Flight time3h 10m
  • Typical cost
    $250($250)
Operated by

Turkish Airlines

+ 3 others

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Wien Hbf then Videle and then to Halkali.

  • Duration1 day 23h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    $140($140)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Istanbul.

  • Duration22hrs
  • Distance2,411km (1,498 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cologne and İstanbul

There are several options for getting from Cologne to İstanbul by plane, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around $140 and will take around 1 day 23h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $250.

The distance between Cologne and İstanbul is around 2,016km (1,252 miles).

It takes around 3h 45m to get from Cologne and İstanbul by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 22hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cologne to İstanbul is to fly which takes around 3h 45m and will set you back approx $250.

The cheapest way to travel between Cologne and İstanbul, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around $140 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cologne and İstanbul. It typically takes around 1 day 23h and departs once daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cologne to İstanbul. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Wien Hbf, Videle and Halkali. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 23h.

Nightjet, Romanian Railways (CFR) and Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) run train services between Cologne and İstanbul. Trains depart once daily and will take around 1 day 23h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Cologne and İstanbul. We recommend that you fly from Cologne Bonn (CGN) to Istanbul (IST). instead which will take 3h 45m.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Cologne and İstanbul. Flights depart from Cologne Bonn (CGN) and arrive at Istanbul (IST). The flight takes around 3h 10m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Cologne and İstanbul with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 3h 10m.

Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Lufthansa and Eurowings fly between Cologne and İstanbul. Flights depart from Cologne Bonn (CGN) and and arrive into Istanbul (IST). These flights usually take around 3h 10m.

The flight from Cologne to İstanbul typically takes around 3h 10m. Flights depart from Cologne Bonn (CGN) and and arrive into Istanbul (IST).

The closest major airport to İstanbul is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) (SAW) which is approximately 31km (19 miles) from İstanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) (IST) and Balikesir Koca Seyit Airport (EDO) (EDO) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cologne and İstanbul. The distance is around 2,411km (1,498 miles) by road and it will take around 22hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cologne to İstanbul is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 45m and will usually cost around $250.

How do I get from Cologne to İstanbul

Compare travel optionsbetween Cologne and İstanbul

Transport options from Cologne to İstanbul
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 2 similar
3h 45m
$250($250)
every 20 mins2,016km (1,252 miles)
Train and Plane4h 10m
$300($300)
every 3 hours2,101km (1,305 miles)
Train to Frankfurt, Fly4h 10m
$370($370)
hourly2,036km (1,265 miles)
Train
1 day 23h
$140($140)
once daily2,701km (1,678 miles)
Drive
22hrs
$400($400)
on demand2,411km (1,498 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cologne and İstanbul

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near İstanbul

The following major airports near İstanbul offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Turkey and internationally.

SAW
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
International Airport
Distance
31km (19 miles) from İstanbul
IST
Istanbul Airport (IST)
International Airport
Distance
34km (21 miles) from İstanbul
EDO
Balikesir Koca Seyit Airport (EDO)
Domestic Airport
Distance
232km (144 miles) from İstanbul