Cheap bus tickets from Plovdiv to Istanbul

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Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul: Journey Information

There are 8 intercity buses per day from Plovdiv to Istanbul. Traveling by bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul usually takes around 7 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Arda Tur bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance: 232 mi (374 km)
Shortest duration: 4h 55m
Cheapest price: RON 112.28
Trips per day: 8
Most frequent service: Arda Tur
Bus lines: 3

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Plovdiv to Istanbul Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Plovdiv to Istanbul:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Plovdiv to Istanbul?

Bus tickets for a trip from Plovdiv to Istanbul cost about RON 113 when you book at the cheapest time, on the day you travel. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Plovdiv to Istanbul by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from RON 153 to RON 153. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Istanbul this week, bus tickets are available starting at RON 153.

Prices as travel date approaches

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. If you're looking for cheap bus tickets, booking in advance is the way to go.

What bus companies travel from Plovdiv to Istanbul?

There are 3 bus lines from Plovdiv to Istanbul available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Arda Tur 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	4	7h 24m	RON 145.00
Citylines	3	7h 16m	RON 178.43
Huntur Turizm	1	6h 10m	RON 134.24

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.
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 Haskovo. On-board amenities include movie screenings, Wi-Fi connectivity, and beverage services.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul

There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Plovdiv to Istanbul every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Plovdiv to Istanbul without transferring.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 18 minutes to cover the 232 miles from Plovdiv to Istanbul. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 55 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.

Distance (mi)

232

Distance (km)

374

The first bus leaves at 12:30 AM and the last bus leaves at 9:00 PM. To see the times for all buses from Plovdiv to Istanbul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:30am

Latest bus

9:00pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Istanbul at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Plovdiv?

Main departure station: Bus Station South

Plovdiv has two bus stations with service to Istanbul.

All bus stations in Plovdiv:

Bus Station South
Bul. Hristo Botev 47

Where does the bus arrive in Istanbul?

Main arrival station: Istanbul Esenler Otogari

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Istanbul.

All bus stations in Istanbul:

Istanbul Esenler Otogari
Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı

Need a return trip from Istanbul to Plovdiv?

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