Turkey is very well served from across Europe thanks to a dense network of direct flights and the presence of Turkish Airlines, one of the world's leading carriers.
By air, Istanbul is 3h30 direct from Paris-CDG and 4h from London Heathrow. The main airport Istanbul Airport (IST), opened in 2018, is one of the world's largest aviation hubs and Turkish Airlines' headquarters. The secondary airport Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on Istanbul's Asian side, serves low-cost carriers (Pegasus, AnadoluJet). Direct flights Paris-Istanbul are daily and frequent: Turkish Airlines (5-6 rotations/day), Air France (2-3/day), Pegasus (1-2/day). Off-season return fares start at €150-200 on Pegasus or €200-280 on Turkish/Air France. In high season (June-August), expect €300-450 return.
From provincial cities, direct links to Istanbul are numerous: Lyon (3h30, Turkish/Pegasus), Marseille (3h, Turkish/Pegasus), Bordeaux (3h30, Turkish), Toulouse (3h30, Turkish), Nice (3h, Turkish/Pegasus), Nantes (3h30, Turkish). For the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, seasonal direct flights serve Antalya (AYT) (3h30 from Paris in summer), Bodrum (BJV) and Izmir (ADB) — useful to avoid an Istanbul stopover if your destination is the beach.
For Cappadocia, the Nevşehir (NAV) and Kayseri (ASR) airports are served from Istanbul (IST and SAW) several times daily by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AnadoluJet — 1h15 flight, €40-100 return fares. For Konya: 1h flight from Istanbul or YHT high-speed train (1h45 from Ankara). For Antalya: direct flight from Istanbul (1h15) or overnight bus (10-12h, very cheap).
By train, the YHT network (Yüksek Hızlı Tren, Turkish high-speed rail) connects Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir at 250 km/h. Useful for Istanbul-Ankara (4h15) and Ankara-Konya (1h45). For more distant regions (Cappadocia outside Konya, Aegean coast, south-east), the bus is the most common option — the Metro, Kamil Koç and Pamukkale companies offer high comfort (reclining seats, on-board service, wifi) at very low fares (€10-25 for 8-12 hours).
Read also
- Istanbul and the Sea of Marmara — The megalopolis on the Bosphorus, its mosques, bazaars and the Princes' Islands within easy boat reach.
- Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys and Hot-Air Balloons — The unique volcanic landscape of central Anatolia, its rock-cut churches and sunrise balloons.
- Aegean Coast: Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum — Major archaeological sites and seaside resorts along Turkey's western shore.
- Mediterranean Coast: The Turkish Riviera — Antalya, Side, Olympos and the turquoise beaches of Lycia and Pamphylia.
- Istanbul, the City Across Two Continents — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi, Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise.