How To Get From Istanbul To Konya (& Konya To Istanbul)

This detailed transportation guide tells you how to get from Istanbul to Konya and how to travel from Konya to Istanbul, Türkiye.

Traveling around Turkey is a great idea. There’s so much to see and do that spending time in one place would be a shame!

Of course, most people start their travels either in a holiday resort or in Istanbul. If you happen to be in this mega-city, you’ll no doubt have plenty to keep you occupied; there is more history in Istanbul than most other cities worldwide, and that doesn’t even take into account the modern-day stuff, too!

But as wonderful as Istanbul is, there are so many other places to check out, too. And aside from that, Istanbul is so big and busy that it can make you want to find somewhere quieter for a day or two!

In that case, how about visiting Konya?

Yes, Konya is another big city, but it’s not entirely on the same scale as Istanbul.

Located south of the capital, Ankara, Konya is a historical and cultural spot that is surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Konya has long been a pilgrimage site for Sufis as it’s the resting place of Rumi, the founder of the Mevlana order. This is also the city where you can see the whirling dervishes and try some of the best authentic Turkish dishes ever!

So, how can you get from Istanbul to Konya, and how do you get back to Istanbul from Konya? Let us show you.

Explore Istanbul To Konya & From Konya To Istanbul Options

There are four main ways to travel between Konya and Istanbul. They are:

1. Istanbul to Konya flight
2. Konya to Istanbul or the Istanbul to Konya train
3. Take the Istanbul-Konya bus
4. Drive to Konya from Istanbul

The distance from Istanbul to Konya is around 700 km.  Let’s look at each one in turn.

Fly From Istanbul To Konya (Popular Route Option)

An Istanbul to Konya flight is undoubtedly the fastest and easiest way to get from Istanbul to Konya and back again. There are regular domestic flights from Istanbul to Konya every day, and this is a direct journey that only takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.

You can take the plane from Istanbul Airport with Turkish Airlines or from Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side with Pegasus. Either way, your flight from Istanbul to Konya is less than 1.5 hours.

Note: Cheap flights from Istanbul to Konya are frequently found on Pegusus mid-week.

To get to Sabiha Gokcen Airport from most parts of Istanbul, you can take a taxi if you’re on the Asian side or take the Havas shuttle bus from the European side. If you’re trying to get to Istanbul Airport, you can take the Havas bus and a taxi (although it will probably be expensive) or use the new Metro line set up for the new airport. In this case, you’ll take the M11 line (Gayrettepe to Istanbul Airport)

When you arrive at Konya Airport, it’s only 20 minutes from the airport to the city center, so you can take a taxi or use the Havas shuttle that regularly runs throughout the day.

When traveling back from Konya to Istanbul, you’ll find the exact information applies, with regular direct flights between the two daily.

Brands We Use And Trust

---

Travel Between Istanbul And Konya By High-Speed Train – Konya YHT 

If you’re not in a hurry, you could opt to travel by train, and you’ll undoubtedly get to see some beautiful scenery en route.

In this case, you’ll need to get to Yenikapi station, which is accessible via the Metro, and then take the Marmaray over to Söğütlüçeşme. From there, you’ll change trains to the Konya train, which runs four times daily and takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. This service runs every 15 minutes and takes only 15 minutes too.

TCDD operates all trains. You can book your ticket on the day, but you’ll have to wait for the next one if it’s busy. In that case, it’s a good idea to book online or head to the station beforehand and book your ticket there.

When returning to Istanbul, reverse the same information, with four services back to Istanbul daily. The Istanbul to Konya train ticket cost is approx 15-20 euros.

Istanbul To Konya By Bus

Another option is to take the bus. The journey takes 12 hours, which may be a little too long depending on your plans, but it will be comfortable. You’ll stop several times along the way, and you’ll get to see a lot during your journey.

Long-distance bus services in Turkey are of very high quality, with refreshments, TVs, Internet, and plenty of legroom, no matter what service you choose. The main bus services in Turkey are Pamukkale, Metro, and Kamil Koc. You can book tickets online, or you can head to any of their offices you see on the high street or from the bus station itself.

It’s not a good idea to wait until the day to book your ticket; you may be lucky and find a seat, but they do tend to fill up quickly. Instead, book a few days beforehand, and you’ll be fine.

The bus leaves from Esenler Coach Station in Istanbul. If you book your ticket from one of the high street offices, you’ll probably have a service that leaves from outside the office at a certain time (they’ll tell you) and takes you to the bus station. If not, you can take the Metro or a taxi.

The same information applies when you want to return to Istanbul from Konya. However, in this case, it’s even more important to book your ticket ahead of time as most services to Istanbul are often hectic and full.

Istanbul To Konya By Car

If you prefer to drive, you can do so in just over 8 hours. However, this is almost always pre-arranged by the car hire company. The Istanbul to Konya distance is 710 km (441 miles), and you will follow the D300 road or another route is the D220 and E90 roads. Both will have tolls on them, which will be recorded on your license plate, so be sure to check that everything is registered when you hire your car.

 I trust that you have now found the option that best suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions – Istanbul To Konya Travel