DentalDental treatment in Ankara: a city and travel guide
Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is a quieter, less seasonal option than the coast or Istanbul — often chosen by patients visiting family or business, or wanting a calm base. Esenboga Airport (ESB) is 28 km from the centre, and high-speed rail links the city to Istanbul and beyond.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
Getting to Ankara
Ankara is Turkey’s capital and second-largest city, in the centre of the country. Esenboga Airport (ESB) is about 28 km northeast of the centre, a road transfer of roughly 30–45 minutes. Because Ankara is an administrative and business hub, its airport has strong domestic links and a moderate number of international routes; many international patients reach it via a short domestic connection from Istanbul rather than a direct long-haul flight. Ankara is also well connected by Turkey’s high-speed rail network to cities such as Istanbul, Konya and Eskisehir.
Where to base yourself
Ankara is a spread-out modern city organised around its main boulevards. Central districts patients often consider:
| Area | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kizilay | Central hub | The city’s heart; shops, offices and metro interchange |
| Cankaya | Upmarket, embassies | Leafy central district, hotels and restaurants |
| Kavaklidere / Bahcelievler | Residential, central | Well-connected areas near the centre |
Staying around Kizilay or Cankaya keeps you central and close to the metro. Ankara’s hotels are geared to business travellers, which can mean good value and availability outside the seasonal peaks that affect coastal resorts.
Getting around Ankara
- Metro & Ankaray: several metro lines and the Ankaray light-rail cross the city; pay with the local AnkaraKart.
- Airport shuttle: a Belko Air shuttle bus links Esenboga with the centre, alongside taxis and clinic transfers.
- Taxis: metered and plentiful in a business city.
- High-speed rail: the YHT network connects Ankara to Istanbul and other cities from the main station, a comfortable alternative to flying domestically.
Who Ankara suits
Ankara is less of a holiday destination than the coast or Istanbul, so it appeals to a specific group: patients with family or business ties to the city, those who want a quiet, functional base without resort crowds, or people already in central Turkey. The trade-off is fewer tourist attractions and, usually, fewer international clinics to choose from than in Istanbul. The city does have museums and historic sites — the Anitkabir mausoleum, the old citadel and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations — for gentle downtime between appointments.
Best time to go
Ankara sits on a high inland plateau, so its climate is more continental than the coast: hot, dry summers and cold winters that can bring snow. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Because it is not a seasonal resort, hotel availability and prices are steadier across the year than in coastal cities.
Compare Ankara with other cities
Choose Ankara for a quiet, practical base, especially if you have a reason to be in the capital. If you want the widest clinic choice and flight links, compare Istanbul; for a seaside recovery look at Antalya or the Aegean coast. Judge the clinic on the same criteria wherever you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ankara a good choice for dental treatment?
Ankara suits patients who want a quiet, practical base rather than a resort or a huge tourist city, and it is a natural choice if you have family or business in the capital. It has clinics that treat patients from abroad, good city transport and steady hotel availability, though usually fewer international-facing clinics than Istanbul. As always, compare any clinic on its registration, the dentist's qualifications, the brands used and its aftercare.
How far is Esenboga Airport from central Ankara?
Esenboga Airport (ESB) is about 28 km northeast of the city centre, a road transfer of roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. A Belko Air shuttle bus links the airport with the centre, and taxis and clinic transfers are also available.
Does Ankara have direct international flights?
Ankara's Esenboga Airport has strong domestic links and a moderate number of international routes. Direct long-haul options are more limited than at Istanbul or Antalya, so many international patients reach Ankara via a short domestic connection from Istanbul, or by high-speed train from other Turkish cities.
Can I reach Ankara by train from Istanbul?
Yes. Ankara is connected to Istanbul and other cities by Turkey's high-speed rail (YHT) network from its main station. It is a comfortable alternative to a domestic flight and can be convenient if you are already in Istanbul or want to combine cities. Check current schedules and journey times before you travel.
Where should I stay in Ankara during treatment?
Central districts such as Kizilay and Cankaya keep you close to the metro, hotels and restaurants. Because Ankara's hotels cater largely to business travellers, you often find good value and availability outside the seasonal peaks that affect coastal resorts. Choose your clinic first, then a central hotel nearby.
How do I get around Ankara?
Ankara has several metro lines and the Ankaray light-rail crossing the city, paid for with an AnkaraKart, plus plentiful metered taxis. The high-speed rail station connects the city to Istanbul and beyond. For most treatment trips the metro and taxis are enough, and a car is not necessary.
What is the best time of year to visit Ankara?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Ankara sits on a high inland plateau with a continental climate, so summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and can bring snow. Because the city is not a seasonal resort, hotel prices and availability stay fairly steady through the year.
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