Eskişehir is easy to reach from Istanbul, İzmir, and Ankara by train, bus, and car.
There are many ways to go to Eskişehir. For example, from cities close to Eskişehir (such as Kütahya, Ankara, Afyon, and Bilecik), you can go to the city by car by using the road. You can go to Eskişehir by plane for destinations further away. The closest major airport is in Ankara. You can go to Eskişehir in 1.5 hours by high-speed train from Ankara or by bus.
Or you can go to Eskişehir in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by a high-speed train journey from Konya to Eskişehir by first buying a plane ticket to Konya. Both Ankara and Konya are similar alternatives to reach the city in this sense. Of course, it is possible to go to Eskişehir by high-speed train from Istanbul. At this point, you can prepare a plan according to the places you want to visit in Turkey in general.
The Anadolu Universitesi Airport (AOE) has few flights.
Within the city transport options include tram, city bus, taxi, and gondola. Gondola? Yes, gondola!
Car
It takes approximately 3.5 - 4 hours to reach Eskişehir from Istanbul by car. On the way, you need to follow the Bilecik road after passing Ankara and Sapanca.
It should be noted that it is not necessary to drive a car within Eskişehir. Public transport is sufficient, and you can reach everywhere on foot. Plus, you can avoid the added stress of searching for parking.
Train
Eskişehir is a major rail nexus, serving all trains between Istanbul and Ankara, Istanbul and Konya, and İzmir and Ankara, including YHT High-Speed Trains to Istanbul, Ankara, and Konya. Therefore, the best way to come to Eskişehir is to use the High-Speed Train. You can travel from Istanbul or Ankara to Eskişehir by high-speed train very easily. From Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme, it will take 3.5 hours to reach Eskişehir. And from Ankara, it will only take 1.5 hours.
Eskişehir Garı is the city's main train station at the northern end of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Caddesi (map). The nearest tram stop is "İsmet İnönü."
For information on individual trains, see the pages on Istanbul—Ankara trains, İzmir—Ankara trains, and trains that serve Konya.
Bus
Eskişehir also has a large, busy Otogar (bus terminal) to the east of the city center, reachable by tram (Otogar stop). As with trains, many buses traveling from east to west and north to south in Turkey stop here, so you have your choice of destinations.
Tram
Eskart
You need an “EsKart” to use public transportation, which is the public transportation card of Eskişehir. You can purchase this card from the card point of sale. You can search for an “Eskart Başvuru Merkezi” in Google Maps to find the closest place to purchase a card and search for an “Eskart Dolum Merkezi” to find the closest places to upload money on your card.
You can use the app “Moovit” (available in English and many other languages) for transportation within the city. You can enter your location and where you want to go, and the app will show you transportation options.
Biking in the City
Apart from walking in Eskişehir, you can also get around the city on a bike, as you can see in everyone. You can rent your bike from the city center and explore Eskişehir's beautiful parks and roads full of statues and bridges with your bike. You can enjoy this activity, especially in nice weather.
Tips
Eskisehir is a beautiful city both for a day trip and for a weekend trip to stay overnight. It should be noted that the winters are very cold, so spring and summer are more suitable for visiting this place.
Distances & Travel Times
Afyon: 190 km (118 miles) N, 3 hours
Ankara: 232 km (144 miles) E, 3.75 hours
Bursa: 148 km (92 miles) W, 2.25 hours
Istanbul: 330 km (205 miles) NW, 4.75 hours
İzmir: 412 km (256 miles) NE, 6 hours
Konya: 333 km (207 miles) SE, 4.5 hours
Kütahya: 78 km (49 miles) SW, 1.25 hours
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Melike Kocaer