Live loads from Istanbul
There are no live loads picking up in Istanbul on GigFreight right now. Loads appear here as soon as brokers and shippers post them.
Ports and terminals
- Ambarlı container ports on the European side
- Pendik Ro-Ro terminal on the Asian side, for sailings to Europe
- Industrial and logistics zones on both sides of the Bosphorus, including Gebze and Tuzla
Main roads
- O-3: west to Edirne and the Kapıkule border
- Northern Marmara Motorway with the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge across the Bosphorus
- O-4: east to Ankara
- O-5 via the Osmangazi Bridge: south to Bursa and İzmir
Road distances
- Istanbul → Kapıkule border: about 250 km
- Istanbul → Sofia: about 550 km
- Istanbul → Bursa: about 155 km
- Istanbul → Ankara: about 450 km
- Istanbul → Munich: about 1,900 km by road
Typical freight
- Textiles and clothing for Europe
- Automotive parts
- Household appliances
- Food
Rules to know
Crossing the Bosphorus
Heavy trucks crossing between the European and Asian sides generally use the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on the Northern Marmara Motorway; check current Istanbul traffic rules for the city-centre bridges.
Exports to Europe
Exports clear Turkish customs, then enter the EU at Kapıkule – Kapitan Andreevo or by Ro-Ro at Trieste. Turkish-registered trucks need road permits and drivers need Schengen visas.
Tips for carriers
- Turkish accounts on GigFreight see European and UK loads too — plan the European return leg before leaving Istanbul.
Questions
How far is Istanbul from the Bulgarian border?
About 250 km to Kapıkule (Edirne) on the O-3 motorway.
Route guides
Carriers and brokers in Istanbul
Load boards can be browsed without an account. Visitors see the route, dates, equipment and price of each load, but not the poster’s contact details. Broker and shipper contact details on a load are shown only to members with a fully paid, active subscription. A trial gives access to the platform but not to load contact details.