How Far is Pakistan from Turkey? Exploring the Distance Between the Two Countries

Pakistan and Turkey may not seem like the most closely connected countries at first glance. One is located in South Asia while the other lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. However, the two nations share deep cultural, historical and religious ties. So if you were wondering, “how far is Pakistan from Turkey?” then read on!

A Straight Shot Across Asia

The straight line distance between Pakistan and Turkey spans over 2,000 miles. According to distancefromto.net, the exact air distance from Pakistan to Turkey is 2,073 miles or 3,336 kilometers.

To put that into perspective, that’s nearly the distance from Los Angeles to New York City! It just goes to show how massive the Asian continent is.

Driving Distance Takes You Through Many Countries

Of course, no one travels to Turkey from Pakistan by a straight shot. The actual land route that vehicles take is much longer at nearly 4,300 km or 2,666 miles according to distancefromto.net.

This journey takes you northwest through the width of Pakistan, into Iran, then north into Turkey Going at reasonable driving speeds, it would take about 53 hours of nonstop driving to go from Pakistan to Turkey!

Along the way, you’d pass through major cities like Quetta, Zahedan, Tabriz, Ankara and more. Not exactly a weekend road trip, but it would be an epic cross-continental adventure!

A 4-5 Hour Flight Connects the Two Countries

Of course, most travelers opt to fly between Pakistan and Turkey rather than drive. As travelmath.com indicates, the flight time from Pakistan to Turkey is around 4 hours and 40 minutes. This assumes an average commercial flight speed of 500 mph.

The two nations have flight connections through major hubs like Istanbul, Ankara, Lahore and Islamabad. Most itineraries have one stopover in a hub city, though nonstop routes are sometimes available.

Turkish Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines and Emirates are major carriers connecting the countries. Flight prices tend to range from $500-800 USD roundtrip, though deals can sometimes be found for $400 or less.

Deep Cultural and Historical Ties

You might be wondering why someone would endure such a long journey between Pakistan and Turkey. Well, the two countries have deep cultural, historical and religious connections.

In particular, Pakistan and Turkey are closely aligned as predominantly Muslim nations. Over 95% of Pakistan’s population is Muslim, as is 99% of Turkey’s. This shared faith ties them together.

There are also strong bilateral relations between the governments. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan after its independence and establishment as a new state in 1947.

The countries signed a Treaty of Eternal Friendship in 1954. Today, Turkey continues to support Pakistan in regional affairs, while Pakistan voices support for Turkey.

Migration and Education Fuel Travel Between the Countries

The long distances between Pakistan and Turkey don’t deter citizens from frequently travelling between the two. Migration, business, education and religious pilgrimages all drive travel.

Pakistan has a sizable Turkish diaspora population, with Turkish descendants settling in the region generations ago during Ottoman rule. These cultural ties lead many Pakistanis to migrate to Turkey for work.

There is also high demand for Turkish universities among Pakistani students. Turkey offers high-quality education options for Pakistani nationals at affordable costs.

And those looking to complete the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj sometimes opt to take an extended route through Turkey. Istanbul was historically a key stopping point for pilgrims.

Landmarks and Sites Reflect Shared History

Visiting Turkey for the first time from Pakistan, you may feel an unexpected sense of familiarity. That’s because the countries share architectural and cultural landmarks reflecting their intertwined pasts.

The Khizr Complex in Istanbul honors the legendary figure Khizr, who is revered in both Turkish and Pakistani Muslim tradition. Pakistan also has Lahore’s Turkey Chowk, or “Turkey Square”, named in honor of long-standing ties between the nations.

Mosques, mausoleums and artifacts bearing traces of the Ottoman Empire can be found across Pakistan. There is also a neighborhood called Turkabad, meaning “settlement of the Turks”, in Karachi.

These cultural parallels remind visitors of the deep connections between Pakistan and its northwestern neighbor. Even when separated by 2,000 miles, the two countries remain close at heart!

Travel Tips for Journeying Between Pakistan and Turkey

If you’re planning an upcoming trip from Pakistan to Turkey, keep these tips in mind:

• Book flights well in advance – fares are lower when purchased 1-2 months out. Turkish Airlines offers competitive rates.

• Consider stopovers in Iran or Eastern Europe to break up the long travel time.

• Obtain visas in advance as needed. Turkish visas can be obtained easily online.

• Fly into Istanbul, but also visit other cities like Ankara, Izmir or Antalya for a more complete Turkey experience.

• Visit Pakistan’s historical Lahore or the mountain scenery of the Gilgit-Baltistan region on your way back.

• Look into buses like Eurolines as a cheaper option for crossing between countries overland.

No matter your preferred mode of travel, journeying between Pakistan and Turkey offers exciting opportunities to explore the cultural connections between these two fascinating nations!