There are 9 ways to get from Macedonia to Istanbul by car, plane, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Drive to Skopje International Airport, fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
best- Drive from Macedonia to Skopje-Airport-SKPcar
- Fly from Skopje International Airport (SKP) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane SKP - SAW
4h 45m₺4,047–14,927Train via Sofia
cheapest- Take the train from Petrich to Sofiatrain Ic
- Take the train from Sofia to Istanbul(Halkali)train Ic
20h 43m₺1,278–1,692Drive, train, bus
- Drive from Macedonia to Rodopoliscar
- Take the train from Rodopolis to Thessalonikitrain Re
- Take the bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou Bus Stop to Istanbul Esenler Otogaribus
11h 59m₺6,006–6,495Train
- Take the train from Petrich to Sofiatrain Ic
- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
17h 26m₺1,567–5,247Drive 594.8 km
- Drive from Macedonia to Istanbulcar 594.8 km
7h 22m₺4,662–6,733Drive to Skopje International Airport, fly to Istanbul
- Drive from Macedonia to Skopje-Airport-SKPcar
- Fly from Skopje International Airport (SKP) to Istanbul (IST)plane SKP - IST
4h 37m₺6,844–12,904Drive, train to Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia, fly to Istanbul
- Drive from Macedonia to Rodopoliscar
- Take the train from Rodopolis to Thessalonikitrain
- Fly from Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG) to Istanbul (IST)plane SKG - IST
8h₺6,292–14,781Bus
- Take the bus from Petrich Bus Station to Blagoevgrad Bus Stationbus Union Ivkoni
- Take the bus from Blagoevgrad to Istanbulbus
13h 23m₺2,321–3,140Drive, train, bus via Komotini
- Drive from Macedonia to Mandrakicar
- Take the train from Mandraki to Serrestrain Re
- Take the bus from Serres to Komotinibus
- Take the bus from Komotini to Istanbul Otogaribus
14h 26m₺2,855–4,165
Skopje International Airport (SKP) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Macedonia to Istanbul is to train via Sofia which costs 1.200 ₺ - 1.700 ₺ and takes 20h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Macedonia to Istanbul is to drive and fly which takes 4h 37m and costs 6.500 ₺ - 13.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Macedonia station to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Petrich Bus Station and arriving at Istanbul via Blagoevgrad. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 23m.
No, there is no direct train from Macedonia to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Petrich and arriving at Yenikapi via Sofia and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 17h 26m.
The distance between Macedonia and Istanbul is 852 km. The road distance is 594.8 km.
The best way to get from Macedonia to Istanbul without a car is to train which takes 17h 26m and costs 1.500 ₺ - 5.500 ₺.
It takes approximately 4h 45m to get from Macedonia to Istanbul, including transfers.
Macedonia to Istanbul bus services, operated by Union Ivkoni, depart from Petrich Bus Station.
Macedonia to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Petrich station.
The best way to get from Macedonia to Istanbul is to train which takes 17h 26m and costs 1.500 ₺ - 5.500 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.200 ₺ and takes 13h 23m.
What companies run services between Macedonia, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
You can take a vehicle from Macedonia to Yenikapi via Petrich, Sofia, and Halkali in around 17h 26m. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Macedonia to Istanbul via Petrich Bus Station and Blagoevgrad in around 13h 23m.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Skopje International Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺5,000–17,000
Flights from Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,900–13,000
Flights from Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,900–13,000
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Skopje International Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺6,000–20,000
Flights from Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺5,500–9,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Skopje International Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,500–16,000
- Website
- ajet.com
Flights from Skopje International Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- ₺2,700–7,000
- Phone
- 14511
- Website
- Hellenic Train S.A.
Train from Rodopolis to Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺380–550
- Website
- Hellenic Train S.A.
Train from Rodopolis to Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺380–550
- Website
- Hellenic Train S.A.
Train from Mandraki to Serres
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺220–320
- Website
- Hellenic Train S.A.
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- [email protected]
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Train from Petrich to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 48m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺160–260
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- ₺160–230
- 1st Class
- ₺200–260
Train from Petrich to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 48m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺160–260
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- ₺160–230
- 1st Class
- ₺200–260
Train from Sofia to Istanbul(Halkali)
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 6m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺430–600
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- ₺430–600
- 1st Class
- ₺430–550
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,148
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Double Room
- ₺2,302
- Single Room
- ₺4,148
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,024
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou Bus Stop to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 20m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺4,910
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +359 88 949 0000
- [email protected]
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
Bus from Petrich Bus Station to Blagoevgrad Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 43m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺220–330
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- [email protected]
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
Bus from Blagoevgrad to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,500–2,100
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
- Phone
- +30 23210-22822
- [email protected]
- Website
- ktelserron.gr
Bus from Serres to Komotini
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Schedules at
- ktelserron.gr
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- MetroTurizm
Bus from Komotini to Istanbul Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,300–1,900
- Website
- MetroTurizm
- Standard
- ₺1,300–1,900
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 How to get from Florence to Rome, Train travel in Spain: A guide to Renfe, and Travelling Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast by boat, bus, car and train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
Macedonia to Istanbul bus services, operated by Union Ivkoni, arrive at Blagoevgrad Bus Station.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Macedonia. It is currently 1:42 PM in Macedonia and 2:42 PM in Istanbul.
Macedonia to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Macedonia to Istanbul is 595 km. It takes approximately 7h 22m to drive from Macedonia to Istanbul.
There are 4173+ hotels available in Istanbul.





































