Turkey Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

Train journeys can be made to Istanbul directly from and via some of the major cities in Europe.

London to Istanbul

The journey from London to Istanbul takes three nights, using Eurostar to Paris, the 'Orient Express' overnight to Vienna, a connecting 'EuroCity' to Budapest and a direct couchette car from Budapest to Istanbul (or more comfortable sleepers with an additional transfer in Bucharest).  Departures from London are daily.  The recommended journey is now via Bucharest.

Passenger Ferries: Apart from numerous cruises in the Mediterranean, several foreign shipping companies have regular services to the ports of Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Iskenderun.

Car Ferries: There are several car ferries for tourists who wish to bring their cars while sightseeing: Connections run from Venice, Ancona, Brindisi and Bari to Istanbul, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Marmaris and Antalya.