How to travel from Frankfurt to İstanbul, Turkey
The distance between Frankfurt and İstanbul is around 1,882km (1,170 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 40m.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from Frankfurt to İstanbul by plane, train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out İstanbul → Frankfurt if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Istanbul (IST).
- Duration3h 40m
- Flight time3hrs
- Typical cost$330($330)
Turkish Airlines
+ 5 others5 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Burgas Bus Station South then Malko Tarnovo and then to Istanbul - Aksaray.
- Duration1 day 18h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical cost$140($140)
Multiple bus operators
Train and Bus
Take the train to München Hbf and then to Salzburg Hbf then take the bus to Istanbul.
- Duration1 day 1h
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical cost$180($180)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Frankfurt and İstanbul
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Frankfurt to İstanbul by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $140 and will take around 1 day 18h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $330.
The distance between Frankfurt and İstanbul is around 1,882km (1,170 miles).
It takes around 3h 40m to get from Frankfurt and İstanbul by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 20h 35m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Frankfurt to İstanbul is to fly which takes around 3h 40m and will set you back approx $330.
The cheapest way to travel between Frankfurt and İstanbul, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $140 for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Frankfurt and İstanbul. We recommend that you fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Istanbul (IST). instead which will take 3h 40m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Frankfurt and İstanbul. It typically takes around 1 day 18h and departs on demand.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Frankfurt to İstanbul. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Burgas Bus Station South and Malko Tarnovo. These services run on demand and will take a minimum of 1 day 18h.
Karat-S, M-Bus, STRANDJA and TransEvren run regular bus services between Frankfurt and İstanbul. Buses run on demand and take around 1 day 18h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Frankfurt and İstanbul. Flights depart from Frankfurt (FRA) and arrive at Istanbul (IST). The flight takes around 3hrs.
Yes there is a direct flight between Frankfurt and İstanbul with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 3hrs.
Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Tarom, Air France, Air Serbia and Pegasus Airlines fly between Frankfurt and İstanbul. Flights depart from Frankfurt (FRA) and and arrive into Istanbul (IST). These flights usually take around 3hrs.
The flight from Frankfurt to İstanbul typically takes around 3hrs. Flights depart from Frankfurt (FRA) 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 Frankfurt and İstanbul. The distance is around 2,229km (1,385 miles) by road and it will take around 20h 35m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Frankfurt to İstanbul is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 40m and will usually cost around $330.
Compare travel optionsbetween Frankfurt and İstanbul
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 5 similar | 3h 40m | $330($330) | every 15 mins | 1,882km (1,170 miles) |
| Fly to Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) | 3h 50m | $215($215) | every 15 mins | 1,931km (1,200 miles) |
| Train to Siegburg Bf, Fly | 4h 40m | $290($290) | hourly | 2,171km (1,349 miles) |
| Train to Siegburg Bf, Fly | 4h 50m | $235($235) | hourly | 2,219km (1,379 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 5h 15m | $245($245) | hourly | 2,026km (1,259 miles) |
| Train to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, Fly | 5h 15m | $370($370) | hourly | 1,978km (1,229 miles) |
Bus | 1 day 18h | $140($140) | once daily | 2,696km (1,675 miles) |
Train and Bus | 1 day 1h | $180($180) | 3 times a week | 2,325km (1,445 miles) |
Drive | 20h 35m | $370($370) | on demand | 2,229km (1,385 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Frankfurt and İstanbul
Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Tarom
Train operators
Transdev
Meridian, BOB & BRB
Bus companies
Alpar Turizm
Karat-S
M-Bus
STRANDJA
TransEvren
Airports near İstanbul
The following major airports near İstanbul offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Turkey and internationally.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
- Distance
- 31km (19 miles) from İstanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Distance
- 34km (21 miles) from İstanbul
Balikesir Koca Seyit Airport (EDO)
- Distance
- 232km (144 miles) from İstanbul