How to Get to Selimiye Mosque — Edirne Travel Guide

Selimiye Camii Nerede? — Where Is Selimiye Mosque?

Selimiye Mosque is located in Edirne, a historic city in the Thrace region of northwestern Turkey. Edirne sits near the point where Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece meet, approximately 235 kilometers (146 miles) west of Istanbul.

This is the most searched question about Selimiye Mosque, and for good reason — many first-time visitors assume it is in Istanbul. It is not. Selimiye Mosque stands in the center of Edirne, a city with its own rich history as the Ottoman capital from 1369 to 1453.

Full Address: Meydan Mahallesi, Mimar Sinan Caddesi, Merkez, 22020 Edirne, Turkey GPS Coordinates: 41.6786° N, 26.5589° E

From Istanbul

Istanbul is the most common starting point for visiting Selimiye Mosque. Here are your options:

By Bus (Recommended)

The intercity bus is the most popular and convenient way to reach Edirne from Istanbul.

Detail	Information
Duration	2.5–3 hours
Bus Companies	Metro Turizm, Nilufer, Truva, Pamukkale
Price	250–400 TL (~$8–13 USD)
Departure Points	Esenler Otogar, Bayrampasa, Harem (Asian side)
Frequency	Every 30–60 minutes during daytime
Arrival	Edirne Otogar (bus terminal)

Tips for bus travel:

• Book tickets in advance during weekends and holidays via the obilet.com app or website
• Metro Turizm and Nilufer generally offer the most comfortable service
• Buses depart from Istanbul's main bus stations; some also stop at intermediate points
• Most buses offer free Wi-Fi and a small refreshment service
• Choose a window seat on the right side for views of the Thrace countryside

By Car

Driving from Istanbul to Edirne is straightforward via the E80/TEM motorway.

Detail	Information
Distance	235 km
Duration	2.5 hours (without traffic)
Route	E80/TEM motorway westbound
Tolls	Yes — HGS or OGS electronic toll payment required
Fuel cost	~250–350 TL each way

Driving directions:

1. From Istanbul, head west on the TEM/E80 motorway
2. Follow signs for Edirne/Bulgaria
3. Exit at the Edirne city center exit (Edirne Merkez)
4. Follow signs to "Selimiye Camii" — the mosque is visible from most approach roads
5. Parking is available near the mosque (see parking section below)

Important: The TEM motorway uses electronic toll collection (HGS or OGS). If you are renting a car, confirm that the vehicle has an active toll transponder. Otherwise, you can purchase an HGS sticker at post offices (PTT).

By Train

TCDD (Turkish State Railways) operates train services between Istanbul and Edirne.

Detail	Information
Duration	4–5 hours
Departure	Istanbul Halkali station
Arrival	Edirne Karaagac station
Price	80–150 TL
Frequency	1–2 trains daily

The train is the slowest option but offers scenic views of the Thrace countryside. Edirne's Karaagac station is about 5 km from the city center — you will need a taxi or bus to reach Selimiye Mosque.

From Other Turkish Cities

From Ankara

• By bus: 5–6 hours via Kamil Koc, Metro, or Pamukkale
• By car: 475 km via E80, approximately 5 hours
• By air: Fly to Istanbul, then bus/car to Edirne

From Bursa

• By bus: 4–5 hours, typically with a transfer in Istanbul or direct via Yalova ferry
• By car: 350 km, approximately 4 hours

From Antalya

• By bus: 10–12 hours (overnight recommended)
• By air: Fly to Istanbul, then bus/car to Edirne

From Bulgaria

Edirne is just 18 km from the Kapikule border crossing with Bulgaria, making it an easy stop for travelers coming from Sofia, Plovdiv, or other Bulgarian cities.

Route	Distance	Duration
Sofia to Edirne	325 km	3.5–4 hours
Plovdiv to Edirne	150 km	2–2.5 hours
Kapikule border to Edirne	18 km	20 minutes

Border crossing tips:

• Have your passport ready; Turkish visa requirements depend on nationality
• The Kapikule border can be busy on weekends and holidays — arrive early
• There are also buses from Sofia and Plovdiv directly to Edirne

From Greece

Edirne is approximately 15 km from the Pazarkule/Kastanies border crossing with Greece.

Route	Distance	Duration
Thessaloniki to Edirne	310 km	3.5 hours
Alexandroupoli to Edirne	160 km	2 hours
Athens to Edirne	780 km	8 hours

Getting from Edirne Bus Terminal to Selimiye Mosque

Edirne's intercity bus terminal (Otogar) is located approximately 3 km southeast of the city center. Here's how to reach Selimiye Mosque:

By Taxi

• Duration: 5–7 minutes
• Cost: 80–120 TL
• Tip: Ask the driver for "Selimiye Camii" — every taxi driver knows it

By Dolmus (Shared Minibus)

• Duration: 10–15 minutes
• Cost: 15–20 TL
• Look for: Minibuses marked "Merkez" or "Eski Cami" from the bus terminal
• Drop off: Get off at the Eski Cami stop — Selimiye is a 3-minute walk from there

On Foot

• Distance: 2.5 km
• Duration: 25–30 minutes
• Route: Head north along Talat Pasa Caddesi toward the city center. Selimiye's minarets are visible from most of the route — just walk toward them.

Parking

If you are driving, here are parking options near Selimiye Mosque:

• Municipal parking lot: There is a paid parking area on the east side of the mosque complex, along Mimar Sinan Caddesi. Rates are approximately 20–30 TL per hour.
• Street parking: Limited free street parking is available in the surrounding streets, but can be difficult to find during peak hours.
• Hotel parking: If you are staying overnight, most hotels in the center offer free or low-cost parking.

Tip: Edirne's historic center is compact and walkable. If you are staying in a hotel, park there and walk to the mosque (most central hotels are within 10 minutes on foot).

Local Transportation in Edirne

Edirne is a small city, and the historic center is very walkable. For getting around beyond walking distance:

• Taxis: Readily available throughout the city. Short trips within the center cost 50–100 TL.
• Dolmus (minibuses): Run regular routes through the city for 10–20 TL per trip.
• Walking: The historic center, including Selimiye, Eski Cami, and Uc Serefeli Mosque, is easily covered on foot within a 15-minute walk.
• Bicycles: Some hotels offer bicycles for guests. The flat terrain makes cycling easy.