Rome2Rio

How to get fromIstanbul to Balkan Peninsulaby bus, train, car, or plane

Find Transport to Balkan Peninsula

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Istanbul to Balkan Peninsula by bus, train, 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.

  1. Bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Haskovo to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sofia Central Bus Station to Vidinbus bus
    13h 11m

  2. Train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    2. Take the train from Sofia to Vidintrain train Ic
    21h 39m
    $22–33

  3. Drive  758.9 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Balkan Peninsulacar car 758.9 km
    8h 29m
    $145–209

  4. Fly Istanbul Airport to Sofia Airport, train

    1. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    2. Take the train from Sofia to Vidintrain train
    11h 34m
    $89–283

  5. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Haskovo to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the train from Sofia to Vidintrain train Ic
    14h 22m
    $28–50

  6. Bus via Vratsa

    1. Take the bus from Instabul to Stara Zagora Central Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Stara Zagora to Vratsabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Vratsa to Vidinbus bus
    19h 2m

  7. Fly Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport, train

    1. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    2. Take the train from Sofia to Vidintrain train
    11h 49m
    $119–363

  8. Fly Istanbul Airport to Bucharest Otopeni, bus

    1. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)plane plane IST - OTP
    2. Take the bus from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Calafatbus bus
    10h 57m
    $93–290

  9. Fly Istanbul Airport to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, bus, drive

    1. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)plane plane IST - BEG
    2. Take the bus from Beograd, Autobuska stanica to Negotinbus bus
    3. Drive from Negotin to Balkan Peninsulacar car
    11h 55m
    $160–359

  10. Fly Istanbul Airport to Niš Constantine The Great Airport, bus, drive

    1. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Niš Constantine The Great Airport (INI)plane plane IST - INI
    2. Take the bus from Niš, Autobuska Stanica to Selačka Rekabus bus
    3. Drive from Selačka Reka to Balkan Peninsulacar car
    9h 12m
    $112–349

Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 18mAverage Duration
Ticket$79Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Istanbul to Balkan Peninsula.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 820.2 km
  • Duration: 13h 11m

What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Balkan Peninsula, Romania?

You can take a bus from Istanbul to Balkan Peninsula via Haskovo, Sofia Central Bus Station, and Vidin in around 13h 11m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Balkan Peninsula via Halkalı, Sofia, and Vidin in around 21h 39m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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 Travel Insider: Top Japan travel tips by Beatrix Holland, Thanksgiving 2018: How to travel stress-free, and Train travel in France: A guide to SNCF - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Booking & Getting There