Cheap flights to Ankara
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Quick summary
Country
Turkey
Continent
Asia
Airport
ESB
Currency
Turkish lira
Time zone
UTC+3
Deals already spotted to Ankara
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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The capital
Why visit Ankara, the city where the republic was built
To visit Ankara is to see the other side of Turkey. The capital of the Republic and the country's second-largest city, with nearly 6 million residents, sits at 938 m on the Anatolian plateau. It is planned rather than picturesque: the modern Yenişehir district spreads its wide avenues below the old Ulus quarter and a hilltop castle. Chosen as capital in 1923, the city was planned for 500,000 people and grew rapidly as people moved in from the countryside.
Ancyra, Angora, Ankara
Greek Ancyra was the capital of ancient Galatia and then of Roman Galatia, and the Column of Julian was erected in 362 AD. Under the Ottomans the city was called Angora, a name that lives on in Angora wool. Mohair and honey were other historic exports, and today the area is known for Kalecik Karası wine.
Anıtkabir
The mausoleum of Atatürk
Anıtkabir is the essential visit. Designed by Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, it opened on 10 November 1953, when Atatürk's remains were moved there. The architecture deliberately avoids Ottoman and Islamic styles and drew inspiration from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. You approach along the Lion Road, 262 m long and lined with 24 lions, and the complex also includes a vast Peace Park.
Practical
Entry is free every day, with opening hours that vary by season. The Atatürk and War of Independence Museum, inside the complex, opened in 2002. More than 3 million people visit each year.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Europe's museum of the year, in an Ottoman market hall
Housed in the 15th-century Mahmut Paşa Bedesten and the Kurşunlu Han, the museum holds over 194,000 artefacts, from the Palaeolithic to the Ottoman era, including finds from Karain, Çatalhöyük and Hacılar. In 1997 it was elected the first European Museum of the Year. It opens from 08:30 to 21:00 in summer and to 17:30 in winter. Some halls may be closed for maintenance, so check before you go.
Old Ankara
The castle hill and the Roman city
Ankara Castle, 42 towers above the old town
Ankara Castle stands on a 150 m hill and is ringed by 42 pentagonal towers, and entry to the castle area is free. Below it, the Roman Baths of Caracalla date from the 3rd century, and the Temple of Augustus is another reminder of Roman Ancyra.
Modern Ankara
Kocatepe, Atakule and Kuğulu Park
The Kocatepe Mosque, completed in 1987, is the largest in the city, and the 125 m Atakule tower rises over the modern districts. Kuğulu Park rounds out the list of highlights.
| Place | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Temple of Augustus | Another reminder of Roman Ancyra |
| Column of Julian | Erected in 362 AD, when Ancyra was the capital of Roman Galatia |
| Roman Baths of Caracalla | Baths dating from the 3rd century |
| Ankara Castle | A 150 m hill ringed by 42 pentagonal towers; entry to the castle area is free |
| Kocatepe Mosque | Completed in 1987, the largest mosque in the city |
| Atakule | A 125 m tower rising over the modern districts |
| Kuğulu Park | A city park that rounds out the list of highlights |
Two to four days
An Ankara itinerary
The republic
Anıtkabir and its museum in the morning, then Kocatepe Mosque and Atakule.
Ancient Anatolia
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the castle and the Roman Baths.
Day trips
Gordion, a UNESCO site, or the town of Beypazarı. Mogan Lake is 25 km south, and Elmadağ has a ski area.
Getting there
Esenboğa Airport and the high-speed train
Ankara Esenboğa
About 28 km from the centre, roughly 40 minutes by road. EGO bus 442 links the airport with Kızılay and the AŞTİ bus station.
The high-speed train from Istanbul takes about four and a half hours. In the city, the metro and the Ankaray line are paid with an AnkaraKart. Cappadocia is about 250 to 300 km away.
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When to go
When to visit Ankara?
April and May
One of the two best windows to visit the capital.
Summer
Hot and dry, with a July mean of about 24 degrees C.
September and October
The other recommended period for sightseeing.
Winter
Cold and snowy, with a January mean of about 1 degree C.
In pictures
Ankara in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Ankara
Which airport serves Ankara?
Esenboğa Airport (ESB), about 28 km from the centre, or roughly 40 minutes by road. EGO bus 442 runs to Kızılay and the AŞTİ bus station.
Is Anıtkabir free to visit?
Yes, entry is free every day. Opening hours change with the season, so check them before you go.
How many days do you need in Ankara?
Two to three days cover the essentials, and three to four days leave time for day trips such as Gordion or Beypazarı.
Can you travel between Istanbul and Ankara by train?
Yes, the high-speed train links the two cities in about four and a half hours.
How much does a flight to Ankara usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Ankara drops below my budget?
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