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Istanbul to Athens

Is there a way to get from Istanbul to Athens by train or ferry.

Posted by
4138 posts

We flew on Turkish Airlines. Although that 14 hour bus route looks interesting, it's all in Greek. And it appears that you might have to change buses.

Posted by
11613 posts

I would fly. Buses/ferries will take up a day or most of a day and a night. If you do opt for the bus, there are plenty of places to break up the trip (I took a 19-hour bus ride once in Turkey, it was excruciating even though the hospitality on board was great).

Posted by
484 posts

we are traveling between Istanbul and Athens soon and the flight time is one hour and 30 minutes.
Aegean Airlines/Turkish Airlines have regular flights and the fare is inexpensive/reasonable if you buy
your ticket early.

Posted by
16893 posts

Flying is the only practical way. There is no train. Ferries usually require a long (overnight) ride to a "border" island such as Lesbos, Samos, Kos, or Rhodes, then a local connection to the Turkish coast, for which you may have to wait an additional day, but that's still not getting you to Istanbul.