How Far is Lebanon from Turkey? A Detailed Look at the Distance Between These Neighboring Countries

As neighboring countries in the Middle East, Turkey and Lebanon have a unique relationship that spans centuries Their proximity means there is a lot of cultural exchange, trade, and tourism between the two countries. But exactly how close are Turkey and Lebanon? What is the distance between these two countries that share a border? In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the distance from Lebanon to Turkey and break down the options for making the trip between these two fascinating destinations.

An Overview of the Distance Between Lebanon and Turkey

Lebanon and Turkey are separated by Syria with Lebanon bordering Syria to the west and Turkey bordering Syria to the north. The two countries don’t share a direct border but they are situated relatively close together. The distance from Beirut, Lebanon to Ankara, Turkey is approximately 815 kilometers (or 506 miles) if traveling directly across Syria. The drive would take around 8 hours of non-stop driving to cover the distance between the two capital cities.

However, because of the situation in Syria, a direct drive from Lebanon to Turkey is not currently feasible. The two practical options for traveling overland between Lebanon and Turkey are:

• Going through Syria by car and crossing at the Turkey-Syria border. This route is around 815 km.

• Going through Syria and Iraq by car and crossing at the Iraq-Turkey border. This route is approximately 1,250 km.

The actual travel time for either route depends on factors like border crossings and road conditions. But it’s useful to know that the straight-line distance is around 500 miles between Beirut and Ankara.

Driving Distance from Lebanon to Turkey

For those looking to drive from Lebanon to Turkey, the most viable route is to go through Syria to the Yayladagi border crossing between Syria and Turkey. This drive passes through Damascus and Aleppo before reaching the Turkish border. Total driving distance for this route is approximately 815 km (506 miles) and takes around 8-9 hours of driving time.

Here is the route for driving from Beirut, Lebanon to Ankara, Turkey through Syria:

• Beirut to Syrian border – 210 km, 3 hours
• Syrian border to Damascus – 110 km, 1.5 hours
• Damascus to Aleppo – 420 km, 5 hours
• Aleppo to Yayladagi border crossing – 75 km, 1 hour
• Yayladagi border to Ankara – 285 km, 3 hours

The actual time required for this trip can vary substantially based on factors like traffic, rest stops, border crossings, and road conditions in Syria. But under normal circumstances, the drive takes around 8-9 hours just for the Lebanon to Turkey portion.

Flying Distance Between Lebanon and Turkey

For those looking to fly between Lebanon and Turkey, there are regular non-stop flights available between Beirut and Istanbul or Ankara. The flight time from Beirut to Istanbul is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and covers a distance of roughly 815 km. From Beirut to Ankara, expect a flight time of around 2 hours 40 minutes covering a distance of about 965 km.

Turkish Airlines, Middle East Airlines, and Pegasus Airlines all operate regular flights on these routes between major cities in Lebanon and Turkey. Prices can vary substantially based on season and advance booking, but expect to pay at least $200 round trip for economy class tickets. Business and first-class tickets range from $500 to $2,000 roundtrip between Beirut and Istanbul.

The flight distances between some major city pairs include:

• Beirut to Istanbul – 815 km, 2 hours 15 minutes
• Beirut to Ankara – 965 km, 2 hours 40 minutes
• Beirut to Antalya – 1,005 km, 2 hours 50 minutes
• Beirut to Izmir – 1,325 km, 3 hours 25 minutes

So if you’re looking to travel between Lebanon and Turkey by air, expect a flight time of around 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on your departure and destination cities. This makes it easy to travel between the two countries in just half a day.

Traveling from Lebanon to Turkey by Ferry

For a more unconventional option, it’s also possible to travel between Lebanon and Turkey by ferry. This involves taking a ferry from Tripoli, Lebanon to Tasucu, Turkey. The total sea crossing is approximately 190 km and takes around 4 hours by ferry.

The schedule varies by season, but there are typically two departures per week in each direction during the spring, summer, and fall months. The ferry crossing provides a unique way to travel along the Mediterranean coast between Lebanon and the Turkish port of Tasucu. From Tasucu, you can connect to other Turkish cities by bus or domestic flight.

The total travel time by ferry is around 4 hours for the sea crossing, plus any transfers to/from the ports. So it’s not the fastest way to travel between Lebanon and Turkey, but definitely a more adventurous option.

Options for Traveling From Lebanon to Turkey

• Driving through Syria – 8-9 hours just for Lebanon to Turkey portion
• Non-stop flight – 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Ferry from Tripoli to Tasucu – 4 hours for sea crossing
• Multi-stop flight – 5 to 10 hours with layovers

Out of these options, flying is generally the fastest and most convenient way to travel directly between Lebanon and Turkey. For a more scenic, adventurous trip, going by ferry can be an interesting alternative. And driving through Syria is an option, but the road conditions make it a challenging trip.

No matter which way you decide to go, there are great options for traveling between these two fascinating Middle Eastern countries. The distance from Lebanon to Turkey is not so far that it’s prohibitive for trade, tourism, and cultural connections between Turkey and Lebanon. Whether you’re looking for an exotic getaway or just want to visit relatives in a neighboring country, Lebanon and Turkey are conveniently connected by air, sea, and land.

Key Facts on the Distance Between Lebanon and Turkey

To summarize some of the key facts:

• Straight-line distance from Beirut to Ankara: Approximately 815 km or 506 miles
• Driving distance through Syria: Around 815 km, taking 8-9 hours of driving
• Flight time between Beirut and Istanbul: About 2 hours 15 minutes
• Ferry crossing: 190 km from Tripoli to Tasucu, taking 4 hours
• Major hub airports for flights: Beirut, Istanbul, Ankara

So while Lebanon and Turkey don’t share a direct border, they are still relatively close together geographically. The mountainous terrain makes overland travel through Syria challenging. But regular flights, an occasional ferry service, and the shared border with Syria facilitate tourism, trade, and cultural connections between the two countries.

Whether you want to relax on the beaches of Antalya, explore historic sites in Istanbul, go skiing in the mountains near Beirut, or visit relatives in Aleppo, the proximity of Lebanon and Turkey makes it convenient to travel between the two. So look at the options, and start planning your own adventure crossing between these unique Middle Eastern nations!