Cheap bus tickets from Plovdiv to Istanbul
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul: Journey Information
There are 11 intercity buses per day from Plovdiv to Istanbul. Traveling by bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul usually takes around 9 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Huntur Turizm bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 232 mi (374 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $37.17 |
| Trips per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | Citylines |
| Bus lines | 4 |
What bus companies travel from Plovdiv to Istanbul?
There are 4 bus lines from Plovdiv to Istanbul available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 daily trips, Citylines usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arda Tur | 3 | 6h 45m | $39.05 |
| Citylines | 7 | 10h 42m | $53.44 |
| FlixBus | 1 | 5h 51m | $46.67 |
| Huntur Turizm | 1 | 5h 30m | $38.22 |
Arda Tur is a Bulgarian intercity bus company serving a large number of cities in Bulgaria as well as destinations across Europe, like Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. Onboard, you’ll find extra legroom, air conditioning, restrooms, complimentary WiFi and power outlets. There are also snacks and drinks available for purchase as well.
Citylines, a prominent Bulgarian bus company based in Sofia, offers an extensive network of routes connecting cities within Bulgaria and beyond, operating numerous daily trips. The company's services extend to countries such as Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and Germany, providing convenient travel options for passengers. One of Citylines' popular routes is the 12-hour journey from Sofia to Athens, which runs twice daily, and passengers can enjoy amenities such as air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and Wi-Fi connectivity for a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from Plovdiv to Istanbul, and usually makes the trip in about 5 hours and 51 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Huntur Turizm is a prominent Turkish bus company based in Istanbul, specializing in passenger transportation since 1969. It has established itself as one of the leading companies in the country, offering bus journeys to notable destinations such as Razgrad, Rousse, Kubrat, and Haskova. On-board amenities include movie screenings, Wi-Fi connectivity, and beverage services.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 374 kilometers from Plovdiv to Istanbul. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Plovdiv to Istanbul for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go."
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Plovdiv to Istanbul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Plovdiv?
Main departure station: Bus Station South
Buses to Istanbul leave from 3 stations in Plovdiv.
All bus stations in Plovdiv:
Bus Station South
Plovdiv Central Train Station Bus Stop
Bul. Hristo Botev 47
Where does the bus arrive in Istanbul?
Main arrival station: Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Istanbul.
Bus stations in Istanbul:
Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı
Istanbul Esenler Otogari
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Istanbul to Plovdiv?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.