There are 5 ways to get from Istanbul to Varna by bus, night train, 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 Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Stationbus Arda-Tur
8h$23–50Night train, train
cheapest- Take the nighttrain from Halkali to Stara Zagoranighttrain Bosphor Express
- Take the train from Stara Zagora to Varnatrain Ic
12h 4m$14–41Drive 417.2 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Varnacar 417.2 km
6h 4m$66–95Metro, fly
- Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane IST - VAR
5h 2m$202–492Bus via Nesebar
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Sunny Beachbus
- Take the bus from Sunny Beach to Varnabus
9h 35m$31–61
Istanbul to Varna by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Varna is to night train and train which costs $14 - $45 and takes 12h 4m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Varna is to Metro and fly which takes 5h 2m and costs $200 - $500.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Esenler Otogari and arriving at Varna Central Bus Station station. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8h.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Varna. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Varna via Halkali and Stara Zagora. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 4m.
The distance between Istanbul and Varna is 445 km. The road distance is 417.2 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Varna without a car is to bus which takes 8h and costs $23 - $50.
The bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station takes 8h including transfers and departs five times a day.
Istanbul to Varna bus services, operated by Arda Tur, depart from Istanbul Esenler Otogari station.
Istanbul to Varna train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Halkali station.
Istanbul to Varna bus services, operated by Arda Tur, arrive at Varna Central Bus Station.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Varna, Bulgaria?
Arda Tur operates a bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $65 and the journey takes 8h. Three other operators also service this route.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–320
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- [email protected]
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Night train from Halkali to Stara Zagora
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $5–26
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $5–8
- 1st Class
- $6–9
Train from Stara Zagora to Varna
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $4–7
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $4–7
- 1st Class
- $5–7
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $65
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $28–40
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +38(098) 343 8282
- [email protected]
- Website
- likebus.ua
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 33m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- likebus.ua
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- MetroTurizm
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Varna Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–47
- Website
- MetroTurizm
- Standard
- $23–35
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Sunny Beach
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–45
- Website
- MetroTurizm
- Standard
- $20–28
- Phone
- +359 894 77 44 02
- [email protected]
- Website
- kaleiatravel.com
Bus from Sunny Beach to Varna
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11–17
- Schedules at
- en.kaleiatravel.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 Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose (and how do I get there)?, Why you should take the train in the US, and How to get from London City Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
Varna is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 12:20 AM in Istanbul and 11:20 PM in Varna.
Istanbul to Varna train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Stara Zagora station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Varna is 417 km. It takes approximately 6h 4m to drive from Istanbul to Varna.
Book your Istanbul to Varna bus tickets online with Omio and Distribusion.
There are 2055+ hotels available in Varna.






























