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There are 7 ways to get from Bansko to Istanbul by bus, train, night bus, car or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Recommended option

Bus via Kavála  •  12h 15m

  1. Take the bus from Bansko to Kavala Central Bus Station
  2. Take the bus from Kavala Central Bus Station to Istanbul

Cheapest option

Train  •  15h 55m

  1. Take the train from Bansko to Septemvri Re
  2. Take the train from Septemvri to Halkali 493

5 alternative options

Bus  •  12h 30m

  1. Take the bus from Blagoevgrad to Istanbul

Bus, night bus  •  10h 50m

  1. Take the bus from Bansko to Plovdiv North
  2. Take the night bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Büyük Otogari Huntur / ...

Drive  •  6h 19m

  1. Drive from Bansko to Istanbul 560.8 km

Bus to Sofia, fly  •  7h 39m

  1. Take the bus from Bansko Bus Station to Sofia Airport Departure Terminal 1
  2. Fly from Sofia (SOF) to Istanbul (IST) SOF - IST

Drive, bus to Skopje, fly  •  10h 18m

  1. Drive from Bansko to Crnik
  2. Take the bus from Crnik to Skopje, Transporten Centar
  3. Fly from Skopje (SKP) to Istanbul (IST) SKP - IST

Bansko to Istanbul by bus

7 Weekly Buses
12h 30m Average Duration
1.028 ₺ Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

The cheapest way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to train which costs $14 - $35 and takes 15h 55m.

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The fastest way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to drive which takes 6h 19m and costs $85 - $130.

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No, there is no direct bus from Bansko to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Bansko and arriving at Istanbul via Kavala Central Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 15m.

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No, there is no direct train from Bansko to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Bansko and arriving at Yenikapi via Septemvri and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 55m.

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The distance between Bansko and Istanbul is 628 km. The road distance is 560.8 km.

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The best way to get from Bansko to Istanbul without a car is to bus via Kavála which takes 12h 15m and costs .

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It takes approximately 12h 15m to get from Bansko to Istanbul, including transfers.

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Bansko to Istanbul bus services, operated by Kaleia, depart from Bansko station.

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Bansko to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Bansko station.

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The best way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to bus via Kavála which takes 12h 15m and costs . Alternatively, you can train, which costs $14 - $35 and takes 15h 55m.

Mode details

Map of how to get from Bansko to Istanbul.
Launch map view
  • Distance: 628.4 km
  • Duration: 12h 15m

What companies run services between Bansko, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?

You can take a bus from Bansko to Istanbul Esenler Otogar via Kavala Central Bus Station in around 12h 15m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Bansko to Istanbul via Septemvri and Halkali in around 15h 55m.

Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Website
turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul
Ave. Duration
1h 33m
When
Every day
Estimated price
4.500 ₺ - 13.000 ₺
Flights from Skopje to Istanbul
Ave. Duration
1h 37m
When
Every day
Estimated price
4.600 ₺ - 18.000 ₺
Tarom
Website
tarom.ro
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul via Bucharest Otopeni
Ave. Duration
3h 25m
When
Thursday and Friday
Estimated price
4.500 ₺ - 13.000 ₺
Aegean Airlines
Website
en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul via Athens
Ave. Duration
3h 45m
When
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Estimated price
4.700 ₺ - 19.000 ₺
Train operators
Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Phone
+35929311111
Website
bdz.bg
Train from Bansko to Septemvri
Ave. Duration
4h 44m
Frequency
4 times a day
Estimated price
130 ₺ - 230 ₺
Website
https://www.bdz.bg/en
2nd Class
130 ₺ - 190 ₺
1st Class
200 ₺ - 230 ₺
Train from Septemvri to Halkali
Ave. Duration
9h 33m
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
300 ₺ - 700 ₺
Website
https://www.bdz.bg/en
2nd Class
300 ₺ - 430 ₺
1st Class
460 ₺ - 700 ₺
Bus operators
Crazy Holidays
Phone
+30 2310241545
Email
crazy.holidays.tours@gmail.com
Website
crazyholidays.gr
Bus from Kavala Central Bus Station to Istanbul
Ave. Duration
8h 15m
Frequency
Twice daily
Estimated price
1.700 ₺ - 2.300 ₺
Website
https://www.crazyholidays.gr/root.en.aspx
Metro Turizm
Phone
0850 222 34 55
Email
iletisim@metroturizm.com.tr
Website
metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Kavala Central Bus Station to Istanbul Otogari
Ave. Duration
9h
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
470 ₺ - 750 ₺
Website
https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
Municipality of Bansko
Phone
0879230075
Website
bansko.net
Bus from Bansko to Plovdiv North
Ave. Duration
3h
Frequency
3 times a day
Estimated price
190 ₺ - 290 ₺
Schedules at
bansko.org
Huntur
Phone
+90 212 658 00 61
Email
info@huntur.com.tr
Website
huntur.com.tr
Night bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
Ave. Duration
6h 30m
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
1.100 ₺ - 1.400 ₺
Website
https://www.huntur.com.tr/
Citylines
Phone
+3590885700870
Email
support@citylines.eu
Website
citylines.eu
Night bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
Ave. Duration
6h 30m
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
750 ₺ - 850 ₺
Schedules at
citylines.eu
Traventuria
Phone
+359 2 493 0191
Email
info@traventuria.com
Website
traventuria.com
Bus from Bansko Bus Station to Sofia Airport Departure Terminal 1
Ave. Duration
3h 40m
Frequency
Twice daily
Estimated price
700 ₺ - 900 ₺
Website
https://traventuria.com/
Berovo Trans
Website
facebook.com
Bus from Crnik to Skopje, Transporten Centar
Ave. Duration
2h 56m
Frequency
Every 4 hours
Schedules at
facebook.com

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Italian Lakes: Getting around by train, 4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia and French strikes 2018: What are my alternative transport options? - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

More Questions & Answers

Bansko to Istanbul bus services, operated by Crazy Holidays, arrive at Istanbul station.

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Bansko to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Halkali station.

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Yes, the driving distance between Bansko to Istanbul is 561 km. It takes approximately 6h 19m to drive from Bansko to Istanbul.

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There are 6524+ hotels available in Istanbul. Prices start at 750 ₺ per night.

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