How to get to Athens from Istanbul

Wed 14 Oct
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Travel Information

Compare flight for Istanbul to Athens

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Istanbul to Athens among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the flight, with an average ticket price of £379 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 18m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £379, while a flight costs an average of £379.

Distance: 560 km

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Driving

£379

Average Price

Cheapest

£230

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 18m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 18m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

11h 19m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Aegean Airlines

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Istanbul to Athens is a flight with an average price of £379.
The fastest way to travel from Istanbul to Athens is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 18m.
Yes, you can take a flight between Istanbul and Athens.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 7h 1m sooner (4h 18m by flight vs 11h 19m by car). Tickets start at around £379 compared to roughly £230 in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from Istanbul to Athens

How to get to Athens from Istanbul by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

flight

The best way to travel from Istanbul to Athens is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • PegasusPC1193
    17:551h30
    Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    19:25Athens International Airport
    £791One-way
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • PegasusPC1193
    17:551h30
    Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    19:25Athens International Airport
    £791One-way
    0 changes

Fastest

  • sky expressGQ671
    9:301h25
    Istanbul Airport
    10:55Athens International Airport
    £811One-way
    0 changes

Other options

  • Aegean AirlinesA3993
    15:351h30
    Istanbul Airport
    17:05Athens International Airport
    £1041One-way
    0 changes
  • Aegean AirlinesA3991
    10:301h30
    Istanbul Airport
    12:00Athens International Airport
    £1041One-way
    0 changes
  • Turkish AirlinesTK1841
    1:451h25
    Istanbul Airport
    3:10Athens International Airport
    £1451One-way
    0 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

Compare flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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Best day trips from Athens by bus

The most popular day trips by bus from Athens are Delphi, Aegina, Corinth, Loutraki and Kiato. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Athens on Omio.

A view of Corinth

Day trip from Athens to Corinth by bus

Why visit Corinth for the day?

Corinth is a modern coastal city best known for the Corinth Canal and its close ties to Ancient Corinth. It feels practical and lived-in, with a waterfront setting and easy access to important archaeological sites.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
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SNCF

FAQs: Istanbul to Athens

Travel to Athens easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Istanbul to Athens.

FAQs
You can travel between Istanbul and Athens by flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Istanbul to Athens is a flight with an average price of £379.
The fastest way to travel from Istanbul to Athens is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 18m.
The Istanbul to Athens distance is approximately 560 km.
The average frequency per day from Istanbul to Athens is:
  • Around 26 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Istanbul and Athens as scheduled services by flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Istanbul to Athens:
  • Flights mostly depart from Istanbul Airport and arrive in Athens International Airport.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Istanbul to Athens, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Sichuan Airlines, CitizenPlane, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Lot Polish Airlines, Air Arabia, Aegean Airlines, Qatar Airways to go to Athens by flight.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Istanbul to Athens:
  • 13 direct flights per day with Sichuan Airlines, CitizenPlane, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Aegean Airlines.
Omio customers who travel from Istanbul to Athens often also extend their vacation to go to Santorini (Island), Mykonos, Thessaloniki, Rome, Thira. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Athens and these popular destinations at a great price.
To travel from Istanbul to Athens, you can take a flight.
In Athens, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from Mount Lycabettus, explore the vibrant Monastiraki Flea Market for antiques and souvenirs, and visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the world's only stadium made entirely of marble. Take a peaceful stroll through the National Garden of Athens, experience a traditional Greek performance at the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and explore the Acropolis of Athens with its iconic Parthenon. Learn about ancient Greek civilisation at the Acropolis Museum, discover the historic Ancient Agora of Athens, and visit the National Archaeological Museum. Don't miss the charming Plaka neighbourhood with its neoclassical architecture and vibrant local shops.
A visit of 3 to 4 days in Athens is typically sufficient to explore major attractions like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Plaka district, and the National Archaeological Museum, while also allowing some time to enjoy local cuisine and culture.

Travelling from Istanbul to Athens: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to AthensHow to get to Athens from Istanbul

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