How Far Is Istanbul from the Prime Meridian?

The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) runs through Greenwich, London. Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia at approximately 29° East longitude.

Distance Calculation

• Angular distance: 29° of longitude.
• At Istanbul's latitude (~41° N): 1° longitude ≈ 84 km (52 mi).
• Linear distance: 29 × 84 km ≈ 2,440 km (1,515 miles) east of the Prime Meridian.

The often-cited "2,000 km / 1,200 miles" uses equatorial degree length (111 km), which overestimates east-west distance at higher latitudes. The accurate surface distance along the 41st parallel is ~2,440 km.

For context: Istanbul is roughly as far east of Greenwich as Moscow is north of the equator.