There are 4 ways to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus, train, car, shuttle 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.
Recommended option
Bus • 7h
Cheapest option
Train • 8h 55m
2 alternative options
Drive • 4h 5m
Shuttle, fly • 6h 29m
Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to train which costs $10 - $22 and takes 8h 55m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to drive which takes 4h 5m and costs $65 - $95.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Plovdiv and arriving at Istanbul Otogari. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h.
No, there is no direct train from Plovdiv to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Plovdiv and arriving at Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 55m.
The distance between Plovdiv and Istanbul is 436 km. The road distance is 415.2 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 7h and costs $13 - $45.
The bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul Otogari takes 7h including transfers and departs five times a day.
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, depart from Plovdiv station.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Plovdiv station.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to bus which takes 7h and costs $13 - $45. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $10 - $22 and takes 8h 55m.
- Distance: 436.3 km
- Duration: 7h
What companies run services between Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Metro Turizm operates a bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul Otogari every 4 hours. Tickets cost 460 ₺ - 900 ₺ and the journey takes 7h. Five other operators also service this route. Alternatively, you can take a train from Plovdiv to Istanbul via Svilengrad and Halkali in around 8h 55m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 4.500 ₺ - 13.000 ₺
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul via Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Thursday and Friday
- Estimated price
- 4.500 ₺ - 13.000 ₺
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
- Estimated price
- 4.700 ₺ - 19.000 ₺
- Phone
- +35929311111
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Plovdiv to Svilengrad
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 8m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- 110 ₺ - 200 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- 110 ₺ - 170 ₺
- 1st Class
- 180 ₺ - 200 ₺
Train from Svilengrad to Halkali
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 180 ₺ - 420 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- 180 ₺ - 260 ₺
- 1st Class
- 280 ₺ - 420 ₺
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- iletisim@metroturizm.com.tr
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- 460 ₺ - 900 ₺
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Phone
- +3590885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- 750 ₺ - 850 ₺
- Schedules at
- citylines.eu
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 1.100 ₺ - 1.700 ₺
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- +90 224 294 55 62
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 450 ₺ - 600 ₺
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 600 ₺ - 1.100 ₺
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- 1.100 ₺ - 1.400 ₺
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
- Phone
- +359 89 345 5533
- info@atlastaxi.eu
- Website
- atlastaxi.eu
Shuttle from Plovdiv to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- 4.300 ₺ - 6.000 ₺
- Website
- https://atlastaxi.eu/
Want to know more about travelling around Turkey
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.
More Questions & Answers
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, arrive at Istanbul Otogari station.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Halkali station.
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv to Istanbul is 415 km. It takes approximately 4h 5m to drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul.
Book your Plovdiv to Istanbul bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
There are 6493+ hotels available in Istanbul. Prices start at 749 ₺ per night.