What is the easiest, and what is the cheapest way to travel between Athens and Istanbul?

Question

I want to travel from Athens to Istanbul - is there a ferry direct? or is a train the easiest way? Or would it be easy enough to travel through some of the Greek/Turkish islands along the way?

Answer 1

I suggest you if you are in Athens just the plane, it is 1.30 h.not so much and direct.The train goes directly to Istanbul from Thessaloniki.
From the greek islands it is more complicated, it depends where you are and where you want to go.I give you an example:I live in Rhodes.My island from Marmaris is 50 minuts with the katamaran.But then from Marmaris if i want to go to Istanbul, i need about 10-12 hours with the bus.So it is better to leave from Athens isnt it?
Never forget also, that during the travel with bus, train, boat, you spend money.Never forget the double tickets you ll do for the bus too..
So, the plane it is more convenient, be sure..

Answer 2

Easiest: fly by aeroplane.
Cheapest: possibly to go by bus or train via Thessaloniki, but you will spend a lot of time and trouble, plus you may need to pay a hotel because it will take more than a day.
Through a Greek island, it is possible and it will be interesting to visit the island too, like Chios or Kos, but it will be much more time, trouble and perhaps money to go around and stay in hotels and take ferries etc. Do it only if you are interested to visit the island and the ancient Greek archaeological sites on the coast of Turkey.

Answer 3

Depends on how you travel to Athens. Olympic Airways use to have a deal that they'd supply you a complimentry ticket. Don't know if its still in effect.
Catching the Intercity train is probably the cheapest though. Takes about 4 hours to Thessaloniki (highly recommend stop over) and from there if memory serves me right, approx. another 5-6 hours to Istanbul.

Answer 4

Bus will be a cheap and easy way for ging to istanbul. It will be about 22 hours and cost about 60 euros for one way. The Greek firm OSE works in co-operation with the Turkish firms. It comes from the Larissa station as i remember. Train is ok, but if you'll have too much luggage it will be harder because you'll change train.

Answer 5

You can take the train from Larissa Station. I think the price is about 80 euros.

Answer 6

Hello!
Well, are there any time constraints?
If not, you could go by surface transport. Make stops, admire the environment, antiquities, people, all the way, both in Greece and Thrace.
If there are time constraints, get a plane and enjoy the 1.5 hr flight.

Answer 7

Here is very safe. No civil war, just riots. Only few death people per day. Come and spend some money, we are in deep crisis.

Answer 8

Ah ah ah I love the answer of Spartan !!