Turkey to Syria , Istanbul to Aleppo travel information

Istanbul to Syria ( Aleppo ) :

Toll road makes it extremely safe with seperate 2 or 3 lanes for each side of the traffic . It is available all the way between Istanbul and Ankara .   Ankara to Aksaray  ( on the way to South towards Adana , Antakya, Syria )  is a no fee “duble yol “  meaning double road , meaning two lanes for each side.   After Aksaray, there is a portion one needs to take to toll road around Pozanti, it is unwise not to take the toll road, the free road ” free state road ” is curvy, not as safe, takes much longer time, not well maintained ( potholes ) , but scenic.

One would drive from Istanbul to Ankara in 4.5  hours with about the speed limt of 130km , if you speed up you can do the distance in 3 hours with speeds around 160km , but there are radar traps and you may get a ticket.

There is a good Turkey ( road ) mapyou may want to print at http://www.welt-atlas.de/datenbank/karten/karte-1-590.gif “click here” to view .

Antakya is great for sightseeing with the first church of the world and an incredible mosaic museum, kunefe (shredded wheat with nosalt creamy cheese in it )  desert, fine dining at HAlil Ibrahim Sofrasi. For an Arab this may be peculiar cuisine, for a western visitor, Turkish or non Turkish , this would be an experience ( In Istanbul I have compensation addresses which are as good )

 

 
Aleppo ( Halep in Turkish ) to Cilvegozu gate (into Turkey ) is approx 60 km .

From Cilvegozu you would drive 45 km to Antakya ( Hatay ) .

The rest of the route : Antakya – Iskenderun-Adana-Aksaray-Ankara-Bolu-Istanbul

On the map, after Adana, driving through Konya to Istanbul looks like a short cut, but do not do it, because you end up losing time, and being on roads not as great as the multy lane comfort roads of the one , that is the choice of common sense bus or truck driver’s choice as well as sedans or suv’s.

Antakya to Adana is about 3 hour driving, Adana to Ankara is about 6 hour driving, Ankara to Istanbul is about 4 hour ,this is by car, safe driving speed, within limits: But that is too long ;  to make it safe it should not ne done one shot. There are hotels in Cappadocia some of which are inexpensive , and the world goes to see it there. One or two overnights in Urgup or Goreme towns are  recommended.

sigtseeing on the way :

Antakya to Istanbul :

Upon getting to Cilvegozu gate of Turkey from Syria ; drive onto Hatay (45km ) . Antakya is great for sightseeing with the first church of the world and an incredible mosaic museum, kunefe (shredded wheat with nosalt creamy cheese in it )  desert, fine dining at HAlil Ibrahim Sofrasi. For an Arab this may be peculiar cuisine, for a western visitor, Turkish or non Turkish , this would be an experience ( In Istanbul I have compensation addresses which are as good ) .

Antakya to Istanbul :
You will drive onto Iskenderun, just continue, take the toll road . Before going to far away , Adana ( see on the map ) can be a great modern stop good for fine dining ; and I know Syrians and visitors from Arab world are visiting Turkey a bit for shopping in modern malls; Adana’s Real and Carrefour malls are easy to get to ( take an exit after crossing a river within Adana, that gets you closer to the malls ; or Adana’s center with its Yagcagmi, Taskopru, Seyhanriver, Egyptian Bazaar will be charming to a western visitor, you may explore the city center as well ) .

If you will choose a 1- 2 day break on the way before Istanbul, the Goreme area ( Cappadocia ) of Nevsehir City is a prime visitor’s interest site in Turkey , and it is almost on the way. Google it , see some photos ; and the formations there attract visitor’s from all around the world, and it is almost on your way, try to make it. Easy. In that case, after Adana , on the road signs after Pozanti, look for Nigde, then head for Nevsehir, and then Goreme. The deluxe rock cut hotels like Gamirasu  are awesome, though there are the regular 5 stars or less expensive lodging as well.

Istanbul Ankara : 430km      4.5 hours

Ankara Antakya : 650 km      7-8 hours