There are 5 ways to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus, train, or car
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 Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus Citylines 40 / ...
5h 50m₺950–1,600Train via Svilengrad
cheapest- Take the train from Plovdiv to Svilengradtrain Re / ...
- Take the train from Svilengrad to Halkalıtrain
9h 7m₺531–795Drive 410.3 km
- Drive from Plovdiv to Istanbulcar 410.3 km
3h 53m₺3,080–4,449Bus via Bayrampaşa
- Take the bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşabus
7h 46m₺1,229–1,890Train
- Take the train from Plovdiv to Halkalıtrain
9h 17m₺592–3,232
Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to train via Svilengrad which costs 500 ₺ - 800 ₺ and takes 9h 7m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to drive which takes 3h 53m and costs 3.000 ₺ - 4.500 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Plovdiv Hristo Botev and arriving at Istanbul Büyük Otogari. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 50m.
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 9h 7m.
The distance between Plovdiv and Istanbul is 415 km. The road distance is 410.3 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 5h 50m and costs 950 ₺ - 1.600 ₺.
The bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari takes 5h 50m including transfers and departs every four hours.
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Plovdiv Hristo Botev 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 5h 50m and costs 950 ₺ - 1.600 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Svilengrad, which costs 500 ₺ - 800 ₺ and takes 9h 7m.
What companies run services between Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Citylines operates a bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari 3 times a day. Tickets cost ₺1,300–1,800 and the journey takes 5h 50m. Three other operators also service this route. Alternatively, you can take a train from Plovdiv to Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali in around 9h 7m.
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- [email protected]
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Plovdiv to Svilengrad
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺120–200
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- ₺120–170
- 1st Class
- ₺150–200
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺380–550
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Plovdiv to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 39m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺550–3,187
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺1,769
- Single Room
- ₺3,187
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,555
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,300–1,800
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,700
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.fr
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,800–3,100
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- [email protected]
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺950–1,600
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşa
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,849
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺1,100–1,700
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
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
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Svilengrad station.
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv to Istanbul is 410 km. It takes approximately 3h 53m to drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul.
Book your Plovdiv to Istanbul bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
There are 4379+ hotels available in Istanbul.