How Far is Turkey from Egypt? Exploring the Distance Between These Two Fascinating Countries

Turkey and Egypt are two countries with a long, intertwined history and many cultural similarities. However, they are separated by over 1000 miles of land and sea. For those looking to travel between these destinations, it’s useful to understand exactly how far apart they are.

In this article, we’ll look at the driving and flying distances between Turkey and Egypt. We’ll also highlight some key facts about travel time, routes and transportation options. Whether you’re planning a trip or just curious read on to learn more about the distance between these two unique countries.

Getting Straight to the Point: Egypt and Turkey are 1409 km or 876 Miles Apart

Let’s cut to the chase – according to multiple distance calculation sources the straight line distance between Egypt and Turkey is approximately 1409 km or 876 miles. This number represents the absolute shortest distance between the two countries ‘as the crow flies’.

Of course actual travel routes are rarely direct flights. But this straight line distance gives us a helpful benchmark to understand just how far apart Egypt and Turkey really are.

To put the distance in perspective, 1409 km is:

• Nearly the distance from Lisbon, Portugal to Paris, France (1369 km)
• Slightly more than the distance from Chicago, USA to New York City, USA (1190 km)
• Approximately the distance from Perth, Australia to Adelaide, Australia (1388 km)

Driving Distance and Time from Egypt to Turkey

For those looking to drive between Egypt and Turkey, the most direct overland route would be to cross the Suez Canal in Egypt, drive through Israel and Jordan, and enter Turkey from the south.

This route is approximately 1,820 km or 1130 miles in total. Driving nonstop at an average speed of 90 km/h (56 mph), it would take around 20 hours to drive between the two countries.

Of course, no road trip follows the direct path exactly. Factoring in stops, border crossings, variable speed limits and road conditions, the actual drive time could be 25-30 hours or more.

It’s also worth noting that some portions of this route pass through potential conflict zones like the Sinai Peninsula. Security conditions can be unpredictable and border controls stringent. Most guides recommend avoiding overland travel through these areas when possible.

Flying is the Most Common (and Fastest) Way to Travel Between Egypt and Turkey

Given the long driving distances involved, most travelers visiting both Egypt and Turkey opt to fly between the countries instead. There are no direct commercial flights, but one-stop options via Istanbul, Cairo, and other regional hubs are readily available.

Flight times from Cairo to Istanbul average around 3 hours 30 minutes. Depending on layover times, total door-to-door travel between Egypt and Turkey is usually 5-8 hours by air.

From the Egyptian Red Sea resort towns like Sharm El Sheikh, travel times are 1-3 hours longer accounting for the domestic flight to Cairo first.

Seasonal demand impacts flight duration as well. Summer flights tend to be more expensive but also more direct. Winter and shoulder season flights often have longer connection times.

All told, flying allows you to cover the 876 mile distance from Egypt to Turkey in under a day. This makes air travel by far the fastest and most convenient option.

Key Factors Impacting Travel Time Between Countries

When estimating how long it will take to travel between Egypt and Turkey, there are several variables to consider beyond simple distance:

• Border crossings – Overland travelers must plan for lengthy delays at the Egypt/Israel and Turkey/Syria borders. Lines can take 3+ hours in some cases.

• Domestic connections – Most Egypt flights connect through Cairo. So travelers from Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, etc. must add at least 2-3 hours of transit time.

• Jetlag – The 1 hour time difference between Turkey and Egypt is minimal but should be factored in.

• Visa rules – Some nationalities require visas for Turkey and/or Egypt, which can add paperwork delays.

• Seasonality – As mentioned above, summer vs winter schedules impact duration. Holidays and major events can also mean extra crowds and delays.

Accounting for these factors, total travel time is often 12-20 hours for flights and 25-30+ hours for driving.

Major Stopovers and Connecting Points Along the Route

Whether driving or flying between Egypt and Turkey, you’ll likely pass through or stopover in one of these key connecting points:

• Istanbul, Turkey – This sprawling metropolis is the most common connecting airport for flights between Egypt and Turkey. The massive IST airport offers countless flight options.

• Cairo, Egypt – Egypt’s capital and largest city, Cairo is home to the country’s main international airport. Most Egypt itineraries start or end here.

• Tel Aviv, Israel – Located along the overland route, Tel Aviv offers the closest major international airport alternative to Cairo.

• Amman, Jordan – Jordan’s largest city and capital, Amman is a common overland stopover point between Israel and Syria.

• Gaziantep or Adana, Turkey – These southern Turkish cities have airports along the overland route from Syria to Istanbul.

Even travelers sticking to one country should plan for domestic connections and overnight stops in these major hubs.

Transportation Options and Logistics to Consider

If you’re planning travel between Egypt and Turkey, you’ll need to pick the right transportation options. Here are some logistical factors to keep in mind:

• Multi-city flights – For the fastest trip, book direct Turkey to Egypt flights or flights with short 1-2 hour stopovers.

• Overnight trains – To maximize time, take overnight trains between Cairo, Luxor, and other Egyptian destinations.

• Ferries – passenger ferries connect Turkey and Egypt across the Mediterranean. But trips take 16+ hours.

• Car rentals – Rental cars provide flexibility for overland portions and domestic transfers. International drop-offs can be expensive.

• Buses – Cheap bus connections are available along most overland routes. But trips will take much longer.

• Tour packages – Group tour operators can arrange transport and logistics for simpler travel.

No matter your preferred travel style, factoring the 1409 km distance into transportation and routing decisions is key for smooth travels between Egypt and Turkey!

Route Options to Connect Egypt and Turkey

While the straight line distance between Egypt and Turkey is set, there are actually several potential routes travelers can take:

Fly direct:

• Cairo to Istanbul

Overland via Middle East:

• Cairo – Tel Aviv – Amman – Damascus – Aleppo – Gaziantep – Ankara – Istanbul

• Cairo – Taba – Eilat – Aqaba – Amman – Damascus – Aleppo – Gaziantep – Ankara – Istanbul

Ferries and flights:

• Alexandria – Mediterranean ferry – Southern Turkey – Flight to Istanbul

• Sharm El Sheikh – Flight to Cairo – Flight to Istanbul

Indirect flights:

• Cairo – Doha – Istanbul
• Cairo – Dubai – Istanbul
• Sharm El Sheikh – Moscow – Istanbul

The best option depends on your time frame, budget, visa status, and tolerance for border crossings. But the good news is there are lots of ways to cover the 876 miles between Egypt and Turkey!

Helpful Resources for Navigating Travel Between Countries

Whether you’re flying or driving, travel from Egypt to Turkey requires careful logistics. Use these helpful sites to plan your transit:

• Rome2Rio – Compares routes and transport options between locations

• Skyscanner – Flights search engine to find the best airfares

• EgyptRail – Schedules, booking, and info for trains within Egypt

• RentalCars.com – Compare rental car options and pricing

• Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum – Crowdsourced travel advice from other travelers

• VisaHQ – Expedited visa services for both countries

Don’t let the distance intimidate you – thousands make the 1409 km journey between Egypt and Turkey every year. With some savvy planning using the resources above, you’ll be experiencing the wonders of both countries before you know it!

The Distance is Just a Number, But an Important One for Planning

At the end of the day, the 1409 kilometers (876 miles) between Egypt and Turkey is just a number. This distance shrinks when you’re on the ground exploring the Pyramids of Giza one day and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul the next.

But for travelers preparing to traverse the distance in real terms, the km and miles between these historic neighbors matters.

Understanding the true distance between two points allows you to budget time and money realistically. It helps choose the right routes and transport to maximize your plans. And it sets expectations for just how long those bus or train jour