Rome2Rio

How to get fromIstanbul to Karlovoby bus, train, night train, car, or plane

Find Transport to Karlovo

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Istanbul to Karlovo by bus, train, night 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 Büyük Otogari to Kazanlakbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kazanlak Bus Station to Karlovo Bus Stationbus bus Union Ivkoni
    7h 50m
    $26–49

  2. Train, night train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Cerkezkoytrain train Re
    2. Take the nighttrain from Çerkezköy to Stara Zagoranighttrain night train
    3. Take the train from Tulovo to Karlovotrain train Ic / ...
    11h 42m
    $9–18

  3. Train

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Plovdivtrain train
    2. Take the train from Plovdiv to Karlovotrain train Re / ...
    14h 14m
    $12–20

  4. Drive  444.4 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Karlovocar car 444.4 km
    4h 46m
    $70–102

  5. Bus via Plovdiv

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus Arda-Tur
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Karlovobus bus
    8h 45m

  6. Fly, train

    1. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    2. Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Karlovotrain train
    8h 20m
    $90–267

Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 18mAverage Duration
Ticket$83Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Istanbul to Karlovo.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 461.2 km
  • Duration: 7h 50m

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

You can take a bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Karlovo Bus Station via Kazanlak Bus Station in around 7h 50m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Karlovo via Halkalı and Plovdiv in around 14h 14m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Booking & Getting There