Istanbul to Izmir
Photo: President.az, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Istanbul to Izmir is an itinerary across western Turkey. It's 500–700 km long and might take as little as 7 hours, or several days, or as long as your visa allows. This page describes the principal routes and some side trips. It doesn't describe the terminus cities, so see Istanbul and Izmir for important detail on transport hubs, accommodation, and their many sights and amenities.
UnderstandDUR YOLCU! Bilmeden gelip bastığın, bu toprak, bir devrin battığı yerdir "Stop, traveller! The soil you heedlessly tread once witnessed the end of an era"
PrepareYou need eligibility to enter the country — see Turkey: Get in — and you may need Covid-health clearance, so check these requirements as they continue to evolve.
Get inIstanbul has global air connections, and flights to all parts of Turkey.
GoThis road route, yellow on the map, swings west of the Sea of Marmara then down the Aegean coast. It's about 700 km, with three days on the road plus whatever you want to allow for sightseeing.
Stay safeIt's not a good plan to come straight off a long flight then drive any distance, even if you land on time. Consider staying in Istanbul for a couple of days then returning to the airport to pick up the car.
Go nextOnce you've reached Izmir, your options to continue your trip are almost unlimited.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Istanbul to Izmir" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: President.az, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons