How To Reach Ankara

Ankara is Turkey's bustling capital. Filled with a beautiful blend of city life, nature and culture, it gives you the best of everything. Being in the central part of Turkey, it is easily accessible from anywhere across the country. It's a modern city with a great transport system. From a brand new airport built in 2007 to an efficient underground metro line, it serves its 5 million population most effectively. The best way to reach Ankara is by flight, however, there are other modes of transport which may be more time consuming, but could be better on your pocket.

The quickest and most relaxed mode of transport to Ankara is by flight. While there are no direct flights to Ankara from India, you can travel via Istanbul through Turkish Airlines or Anadolu Jet - the low-cost airline brand of Turkish Airlines. To Istanbul, there are daily direct flights from Mumbai & Delhi airports in India.

The Ankara Esenboğa International Airport is located 31 km away from the city. It is well connected to the city by buses. There are specific buses that only do the airport route that can drop you at Aşti (the Bus Terminal for Inter-city buses), Kızılay - which is the city centre or Ulus which is the historic quarters of Ankara city. These buses run daily at a frequency of 20 minutes and are operated by Belko Air. Another option is to hail a local taxi, which would be more convenient.

Ankara is the centre of the Turkish Rail network and a lot of trains pass by Ankara to reach other parts of the country. Trains are a convenient means of transport albeit much longer than other modes. However, a high-speed rail service connects Ankara with Istanbul, Eskisehir & Konya. Istanbul to Ankara takes only about 3 hours through this high-speed connection.

In Turkey, all roads lead to Ankara! Strategically located in the middle of the country, this city is the centre of transportation. There are plenty of buses that travel daily and directly to Ankara from all parts of Turkey. The bus routes are usually faster than train routes - apart from the High-Speed Rail lines that connect a few cities to Ankara. From Istanbul, it takes 5 hours by bus to Ankara. You can also travel by a private vehicle. From Istanbul, taking the route via Bolu will take you in slightly less than 5 hours.

The transport system in Ankara is world class and easy to use. However, it can also get intimidating, because all the communication on the buses and train stations are in Turkish. But if you like a bit of adventure, then travelling in public transport as the locals do, is a great way of seeing Ankara. Else, hiring a private vehicle is always a great option.

From the underground Metro service and suburban trains to a vast network of buses, dolmus (minibus) service and taxis, there are plenty of options for tourists. Taxis are easily available on the streets and can be recognized by their yellow colour and marked with the word Taksi on top. Usually the taxi's are quite convenient and affordable, however, you should try to ensure that the taxi follows the meter price so that you do not get overcharged.