Options to get here from Istanbul

There are two options for independent travellers to get to the Gallipoli Battlefields: by coach or by rental car.

For those wanting the freedom to organize their own time on the peninsular and not be constrained by a tour itinerary, don’t be put off by the prospect of driving a rental car. Roads are busy, but no more so than any other metropolitan area. The roads are good, signs clear and petrol stations abound. There is a dual-carriageway nearly all the way from Istanbul (airport) to Eceabat (Çanakkale) and anyone exercising normal road safety awareness should have no problem at all with the journey. You should be able to cover the distance of 310 km in 4 hours (280 km / 3 ½ hours from the airport), allowing for a short break in Tekirdag.

Alternatively you can come down by coach. A coach leaves Istanbul coach station nearly every hour throughout the day (note that most coaches do not stop in Eceabat anymore as they take the bridge at Gelibolu over to Canakkale). The coaches are all top-quality with a non-smoking policy and cover the distance of 300 km in approximately 4 ½ hours. Refreshments are served on board and a sanitary stop is made half-way near the city of Tekirdağ. From Istanbul airport there is a coach going directly to Tekirdağ (coachstation) without going through Istanbul. From Tekirdağ you can connect to the Istanbul-Çanakkale coaches. For those who want to continue independently you can pick up a rental in Çanakkale.