Konya

Getting Here and Around

Turkey's major bus companies (Ulusoy, Varan, etc.) don't serve Konya, but Metro, Kontur, and Özkaymak do.

Traveling by train from Istanbul to Konya takes a good bit longer than going by bus. On the upside, not only is it cheaper but you can get a sleeper car. The daily Meram Express costs about $18; it leaves Istanbul at 7:20 pm and arrives in Konya at 10:50 the next morning. From Konya, it departs at 5:40 pm and arrives in Istanbul at 9:20 the next morning. The Toros Express goes three times a week during the daytime, leaving Istanbul at 8:55 am and arriving in Konya at 10:30 pm. From Konya, it departs at 4:15 am and arrives in Istanbul at 6 pm. The cost is about $13.

Modern Konya is extremely spread out, but its tourist attractions are all concentrated in the city center near Alaaddin Tepesi (Alaaddin Hill). Konya's bus terminal is about 15 km (9 mi) north of the city center; it's a 30-minute tram ride from the terminal to the Alaaddin tram stop downtown. The airport, 18 km (11 mi) to the northeast, and the train station, 3 km (2 mi) southwest of the city center, are both accessible only by city bus or taxi. Taxis are relatively inexpensive for short distances downtown but can add up if you are going to the bus terminal or airport.