Istanbul and Antalya in one trip: how to combine them

Istanbul for the city, Antalya for the beach: many Algerian travellers would like to enjoy both in a single trip. In Google searches from Algeria, "antalya istanbul distance" is one of the first suggestions. Combining the two is perfectly doable, as long as you plan the journey between the cities, the number of nights and the order of the stops. Here are our pointers.

At a glance

• Distance: about 650 to 700 km by road.
• Fastest: a domestic flight, about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30.
• Cheapest: the bus, roughly 11 to 14 hours.
• For about ten days: for example 4 nights in Istanbul and 5 or 6 nights in Antalya.

How far is Antalya from Istanbul?

Istanbul lies in north-western Turkey, on both banks of the Bosphorus; Antalya is in the south, on the Mediterranean. By road, allow about 650 to 700 km depending on the route. It is not a day trip: treat the journey as a stage of its own, with a hotel night on each side.

How to get from Istanbul to Antalya

• By plane: the fastest option. A domestic flight takes about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30, with departures from both Istanbul airports: Istanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side. Add the time to reach the airport, check in and transfer on arrival: count on half a day. Check your baggage allowance too, especially if you have been shopping in Istanbul.
• By bus: coaches link the two cities in roughly 11 to 14 hours. An overnight ride saves a hotel night, but you arrive tired, so it suits travellers who sleep well sitting up.
• By car: a long day on the road, worth it only if you want to stop along the way.
• By train: there is no direct service. You need to combine train and bus, for example via Konya, which makes the journey much longer.

How many nights, and in which order?

For a trip of about ten days, we suggest for example 4 nights in Istanbul and 5 or 6 in Antalya: enough to see the old city, do your shopping and then really enjoy the sea. For one week, 3 nights in Istanbul and 4 in Antalya still work well. With less time, it is better to pick one city.

Then comes the order:

• Istanbul first, then Antalya: you end the trip with rest, but whatever you bought in Istanbul travels with you to the beach and back home.
• Antalya first, then Istanbul: you rest first and keep the shopping for the end, just before flying home. This is often the most practical choice if you plan to buy a lot in Laleli or at the Grand Bazaar.

Either way, book both hotels with dates that follow on exactly, so you neither pay for an extra night nor end up without a room on travel day.

When to go

Summer, hot and dry in Antalya, is the season for the beach and water parks. Istanbul is more comfortable to explore in spring and autumn, when you spend hours walking around the old city. Shoulder months such as June or September often let you enjoy both.

Where to stay in each city

In Istanbul, the area depends on your plans: Laleli and Aksaray for shopping, Sultanahmet for the monuments, Taksim for evenings out. Our guide on where to stay in Istanbul helps you choose.

In Antalya, it depends on the stay you want: Lara for the sandy beach close to the city, Belek for large resorts and The Land of Legends park, Kemer between sea and mountains, Konyaaltı and Kaleiçi to stay in town. Side and Alanya are much further from Antalya airport, so expect a longer transfer. Our article on Antalya with children covers each area.

All inclusive in Antalya, a simple room in Istanbul?

It is a common and sensible mix. In Istanbul you spend your days out, so a room with breakfast is often enough. In Antalya, many families choose all inclusive, which covers meals and drinks and sometimes entertainment. Check what the package really includes, and the cancellation conditions shown on each offer.

Visa: check before you go

In principle, entry conditions to Turkey for Algerian citizens depend in particular on age and on visas already held; check the up-to-date conditions with the Turkish consulate or the official website before you travel. Our article on the Turkey visa for Algerians sums it up. We do not handle visa applications.

Book both hotels and pay in dinars

On Nreservi, the hotel search covers both Istanbul and Antalya: search Istanbul for the first nights, then Antalya for the rest, or the other way round. From Algeria, you pay in dinars with no bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once the payment is made. The process is explained in our guide to booking a hotel without a bank card.

See hotels in Istanbul and Turkey

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.