There are 5 ways to get from Istanbul to Karlovo 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Kazanlakbus
- Take the bus from Kazanlak Bus Station to Karlovo Bus Stationbus Union Ivkoni
7h 50m$26–49Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Plovdivtrain
- Take the train from Plovdiv to Karlovotrain Re / ...
14h 14m$12–20Drive 444.4 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Karlovocar 444.4 km
4h 46m$73–105Fly, train
- Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
- Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Karlovotrain
8h 24m$85–287Bus, train
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus Arda-Tur
- Take the train from Plovdiv to Karlovotrain Re / ...
8h 50m$28–64
Istanbul to Karlovo by bus and train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Karlovo is to train which costs $12 - $20 and takes 14h 14m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Karlovo is to drive which takes 4h 46m and costs $70 - $110.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul to Karlovo station. However, there are services departing from Istanbul Büyük Otogari and arriving at Karlovo Bus Station via Kazanlak Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 50m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Karlovo. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Karlovo via Halkalı and Plovdiv. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 14m.
The distance between Istanbul and Karlovo is 461 km. The road distance is 444.4 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Karlovo without a car is to bus which takes 7h 50m and costs $26 - $50.
It takes approximately 7h 50m to get from Istanbul to Karlovo, including transfers.
Istanbul to Karlovo bus services, operated by Huntur, depart from Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Istanbul to Karlovo train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Karlovo is to bus which takes 7h 50m and costs $26 - $50. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $12 - $20 and takes 14h 14m.
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.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–260
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Halkalı to Plovdiv
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 17m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- [email protected]
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Train from Plovdiv to Karlovo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $1–3
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $1–2
- 1st Class
- $2–3
Train from Iskarsko Shose to Karlovo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $2–4
- 1st Class
- $3–4
Train from Plovdiv to Karlovo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $1–3
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $1–2
- 1st Class
- $2–3
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- [email protected]
- Website
- Huntur
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Kazanlak
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- Huntur
- Phone
- +359 88 949 0000
- [email protected]
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
Bus from Kazanlak Bus Station to Karlovo Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $3–5
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
- [email protected]
- Website
- bgrazpisanie.com
Bus from Kazanlak Bus Station to Karlovo Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $3–4
- Schedules at
- bgrazpisanie.com
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $60
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $26–35
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Website
- Flixbus
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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Related travel guides
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Istanbul to Karlovo bus services, operated by Huntur, arrive at Kazanlak station.
Karlovo is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 1:35 PM in Istanbul and 12:35 PM in Karlovo.
Istanbul to Karlovo train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Plovdiv station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Karlovo is 444 km. It takes approximately 4h 46m to drive from Istanbul to Karlovo.
There are 181+ hotels available in Karlovo.