Istanbul to Samsun by ferry
Samsun lies 619 km (385 mi) east of Istanbul, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
The sea distance is about 619 km (385 mi); at typical ferry speeds a direct crossing would take around 18 h 45 min. Whether one runs, and how often, is in the operator’s timetable.
| Istanbul | Samsun | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Turkey | Turkey |
| Population | 15.7 million | 394,050 |
| Elevation | 39 m (128 ft) | 64 m (210 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Europe/Istanbul) | UTC+3 (Europe/Istanbul) |
| Port | Kontoskalion | Samsunport |
Where to book ferries from Istanbul to Samsun
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Samsun
Our booking partner lists 61 places to stay in Samsun. Of the 29 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (16), and 3 are five-star. Across 18 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8 out of 10. Guests have left 5,807 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Samsun
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Samsun from Istanbul?
619 km (385 mi) in a straight line, east of Istanbul; by road roughly 755 km (469 mi).
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Samsun by ferry?
About 18 h 45 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Istanbul and Samsun?
No, both are on Europe/Istanbul at the moment.
Where can I stay in Samsun?
Our booking partner lists 61 places to stay in Samsun, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.