With the Ani Archaeological Site (UNESCO), its role as the last stop of the Eastern Express and the Sarıkamış ski resort, it is a destination for winter and cultural tours.
Istanbul – Kars distance and journey time
| From the European Side (Şişli/Mecidiyeköy) | 1,424 km |
|---|---|
| From the Asian Side (Kadıköy) | 1,420 km |
| Driving time by car | about 16 h 30 min |
| Driving time by minibus / coach | about 19 hours |
| Journey including compulsory breaks | about 22 hours |
| Driver plan | overnight plan recommended |
Even with two drivers this is a very long journey; an overnight stop on the way (a two-day plan) or a rest day on arrival is recommended. Under the regulations, drivers of passenger vehicles may not drive for more than 4.5 hours without a break or more than 9 hours in total within 24 hours; after 4.5 hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes is taken. Because of the speed limits for coaches and minibuses of 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on dual carriageways, journey times are longer than by car.
Day trip or overnight stay?
As the return driving time exceeds the driver’s legal daily limit of 9 hours, a programme with at least one overnight stay is recommended instead of a day trip. On overnight tours, the vehicle and driver can stay with your group throughout the programme.
Departure points
Our vehicle picks up your group from any of Istanbul’s 39 districts, from several points if needed. When departing from outlying districts such as Silivri, Çatalca, Şile or Tuzla, the distance may differ by a few dozen kilometres; the quote is prepared according to your departure address. Istanbul districts and other provinces
Frequently planned routes
- Istanbul – Kars one-way or return
- Kars overnight group tour (vehicle and driver throughout the programme)
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does it take from Istanbul to Kars by minibus or coach?
Can a group day trip from Istanbul to Kars be organised?
How is the price for a journey to Kars determined?
Distances and travel times are approximate values calculated with OpenStreetMap data; actual times vary with the pick-up address, traffic, weather and breaks.
