Ankara, the national capital of Turkey, is a bustling city with a well-developed public transport system that includes metro stations, bus lines, and public buses, making it easy to navigate the city centre and beyond. The city's transport network is a crucial hub in Central Anatolia, connecting various regions through train, plane, bus, and highway routes.
Ankara's international airport, Esenboğa Airport, offers both domestic and international flights, further enhancing the city's connectivity. Here’s how to travel between Ankara and Cappadocia, a popular route for tourists traveling in central Turkey.
Bus
AŞTİ, Ankara intercity bus terminal is the hub of the country’s road transport network, with service to all points at all hours of the day and much of the night.
AŞTİ is the biggest bus station in Turkey, and you can travel to all provinces of Turkey from here. If you are going to Ankara by bus, you can use the services that depart from the bus station when you get off, or you can easily reach the city by taking the metro, Ankaray. There are lockers in the bus station where you can leave your belongings.
When traveling by bus between cities, do not forget that there are many bus companies, and you should buy your tickets in advance. However, here you can find the average ticket price list prepared by AŞTİ on its website. You can use websites and applications such as Enuygun and Obilet to purchase your tickets online by comparing all the prices.
Train
The renovated Ankara Garı (train station) provides a very good opportunity to travel by high-speed train. You can travel to Ankara from Istanbul, Eskişehir, Konya, İzmir, and Eastern provinces with the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi). To reach Ankara Station, you can use the newly opened Ankara Station metro stop in the direction of M4.
Traveling to Ankara by train or going from Ankara to another city by train may be a better option than going by plane. Prices are much more affordable, and you can spend your journey comfortably with the renewed high-speed trains.
Train stations are in the city center in most cities, so you will not have any problems with transportation. To reach Ankara Station, you can use the Ankara Station metro stop in the direction of M4. You can buy your tickets here. Pre-purchasing your ticket online will ensure your trip. This way, when you want to go from the station and buy a ticket, you will not be left in a situation where there are no seats left at the time of the flight you booked. Especially during peak travel times tickets can be sold out in advance.
Air Travel
Esenboğa Airport is 33 km (21 miles, about 50 minutes in normal traffic) northeast of Ankara‘s city center, reached by Havaş airport buses from the AŞTİ bus terminal or Ankara Gar train station, or by taxi. Esenboğa Airport is an international airport, so you can come directly to Ankara from abroad by using airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, Pegasus Airlines, and other domestic airline companies have frequent flights to/from Istanbul and all over Turkey.
Car
Here are the distances and driving times between Ankara and various other Turkish cities. Highways in Turkey are highly developed, so traveling by car is quite comfortable.
If you want to rent a car in Ankara to drive elsewhere or to return a rental car here, consider renting or returning at Esenboğa Airport, which may make the task a bit easier. You can also use BlaBlaCar which is a shared travel platform. In this way, you can make your travel more convenient and meet new people.
Ankara Metro/Ankaray and Buses
Ankara has five underground metros: 4 different metro lines and Ankaray. You can easily reach the metro lines going in various directions in Ankara. Kızılay is an important stop for both metro lines and buses. You can change lines there.
Metro lines in Ankara are usually known by the names of the first and last stops of the metro stations. The lines are as followed:
- A1: AŞTİ ↔ Dikimevi
- M1: Batıkent ↔ Kızılay
- M2: Çayyolu ↔ Kızılay
- M3: Batıkent ↔ Sincan/Törekent
- M4: Keçiören ↔ Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM)
Other important modes of transport:
- T1: Yenimahalle ↔ Şentepe Teleferik (cable car)
- B1 (Başkentray): Sincan ↔ Kayaş (commuter rail line)
Buses affiliated with EGO (an affiliate of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality providing transportation services in Ankara) operate in Ankara. In cases where you need to use buses for your urban transportation, you can use applications such as Google Maps or Moovit to find out which bus you need to take and where.
Taxi
Taxis in Ankara are a convenient and reliable mode of transportation. They are available 24/7 and can be hailed from taxi stands, on the street, or booked via phone or taxi apps. All taxis are equipped with a meter, and the fare is calculated based on the distance traveled. Taxis can accommodate up to four passengers, and the fare remains the same regardless of the number of passengers. For longer distances or specific routes, it is advisable to negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand.
Transportation Card
The AnkaraKart is the public transportation card of Ankara. It is a rechargeable card that you can use to pay for public transportation. The card can be purchased at metro stations from machines or cashiers. The AnkaraKart is an essential item for anyone planning to use public transportation in Ankara, as it is accepted on buses, metros, and even some taxis. It offers a convenient and cost-effective way to travel around the city, and it can be topped up with credit as needed.
You can use buses (otobüs), minibusses (in white and blue), or dolmus. Dolmuş is less expensive than a taxi, but it has stops (durak) as a bus.
Ankara Transportation
Ankara is Central Anatolia‘s transport nexus for train, plane, bus, and highway routes. As the national capital, Ankara is a key transport hub in Central Anatolia, seamlessly connecting different regions via train, plane, bus, and highway routes. The city's international airport, Esenboğa, is a gateway to the world, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the city's comprehensive public transport system ensures that you can reach your destination with ease.
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Melike Kocaer
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