How to travel from Rome to İstanbul, Turkey
The distance between Rome and İstanbul is around 1,434km (891 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 25m.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Rome 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 → Rome if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Rome (FCO) to Istanbul (IST).
- Duration3h 25m
- Flight time2h 30m
- Typical cost$375($375)
Turkish Airlines
+ 3 others1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Sofia and then to Istanbul Otogari.
- Duration1 day 14h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical cost$255($255)
Multiple bus operators
Train and Bus
Take the train to Bolzano Bozen and then to Salzburg Hbf then take the bus to Istanbul.
- Duration1 day 5h
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical cost$155($155)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Rome and İstanbul
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Rome to İstanbul by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around $105 and will take around 2 days 10h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $375.
The distance between Rome and İstanbul is around 1,434km (891 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,375km (854 miles)
It takes around 3h 25m to get from Rome and İstanbul by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 20h 50m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Rome to İstanbul is to fly which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx $375.
The cheapest way to travel between Rome and İstanbul, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around $105 for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Rome and İstanbul. We recommend that you fly from Rome (FCO) to Istanbul (IST). instead which will take 3h 25m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Rome and İstanbul. It typically takes around 1 day 14h and departs once a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Rome to İstanbul. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Sofia and Istanbul Otogari. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 14h.
Georg, MetroTurizm and Alpar Turizm run regular bus services between Rome and İstanbul. Buses run once a week and take around 1 day 14h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Rome and İstanbul. Flights depart from Rome (FCO) and arrive at Istanbul (IST). The flight takes around 2h 30m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Rome and İstanbul with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 30m.
Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Air Albania, Aegean Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly between Rome and İstanbul. Flights depart from Rome (FCO) and and arrive into Istanbul (IST). These flights usually take around 2h 30m.
The flight from Rome to İstanbul typically takes around 2h 30m. Flights depart from Rome (FCO) 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 Rome and İstanbul. The distance is around 2,223km (1,381 miles) by road and it will take around 20h 50m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Rome to İstanbul is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around $375.
Compare travel optionsbetween Rome and İstanbul
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 3h 25m | $375($375) | every 20 mins | 1,434km (891 miles) |
| Fly to Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) | 3h 30m | $240($240) | every 20 mins | 1,474km (916 miles) |
Bus | 1 day 14h | $255($255) | once a week | 2,453km (1,524 miles) |
Train and Bus + 2 similar | 1 day 5h | $155($155) | 3 times a week | 2,682km (1,667 miles) |
| Bus and Train | 1 day 15h | $245($245) | once a week | 2,473km (1,537 miles) |
| Bus to Bucharest, Train | 2 days 10h | $105($105) | once a week | 3,158km (1,963 miles) |
Drive | 20h 50m | $405($405) | on demand | 2,223km (1,381 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Rome and İstanbul
Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Air Serbia
Air Albania
Aegean Airlines
Pegasus Airlines
Bus companies
Alpar Turizm
Georg
MetroTurizm
SC Latino Expres S.R.L.
Train operators
Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
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