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Cheap bus tickets from Thessaloniki to Istanbul
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Thessaloniki to Istanbul: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Thessaloniki to Istanbul. Traveling by bus from Thessaloniki to Istanbul usually takes around 9 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Arda Tur bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 45 minutes.
- Distance
- 316 mi (509 km)
- Shortest duration
- 7h 45m
- Cheapest price
- CZK 1,079.38
- Trips per day
- 5
- Most frequent service
- Arda Tur
- Bus lines
- 3
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Thessaloniki to Istanbul Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Thessaloniki to Istanbul:
- Arda Tur: 3 daily buses from CZK 1,103
- FlixBus: 1 daily bus from CZK 1,243
- Simeonidis Tours: 1 daily bus from CZK 1,079
How much is a bus ticket from Thessaloniki to Istanbul?
Bus tickets for a trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul cost about CZK 1,106 when you book at the cheapest time, 14 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than CZK 1,106 are an excellent bargain. 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 Thessaloniki to Istanbul by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Thessaloniki to Istanbul in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CZK 1,143 to CZK 1,186. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 5, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Istanbul this week, bus tickets are available starting at CZK 1,143.
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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 14 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CZK 125.68 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Thessaloniki to Istanbul?
There are 3 bus lines from Thessaloniki to Istanbul available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 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 | 3 | 8h 34m | CZK 1,110.98 |
| FlixBus | 1 | 13h 30m | CZK 1,539.13 |
| Simeonidis Tours | 1 | 9h 33m | CZK 1,086.81 |
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.
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 trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, and usually makes the trip in about 13 hours and 30 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Book Simeonidis Tours from Thessaloniki to Istanbul from CZK 1,079.38. Typically there is one Simeonidis Tours schedule per day from Thessaloniki to Istanbul and you can expect on average to pay CZK 1,086.81 for a Simeonidis Tours ticket to Istanbul. In Thessaloniki, Simeonidis Tours departs to Istanbul from Simeonidis Tours Office. In Istanbul, Simeonidis Tours arrives at Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı.
An average trip on Simeonidis Tours from Thessaloniki to Istanbul takes 9 hours and 33 minutes, while the fastest available Simeonidis Tours trip will get you to Istanbul in 9 hours.
On weekends, Simeonidis Tours offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay CZK 1,079.38 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Istanbul.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Thessaloniki to Istanbul
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Thessaloniki to Istanbul every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
5
Direct trips
4
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 316 miles from Thessaloniki to Istanbul. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 45 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)
316
Distance (km)
509
The first bus leaves at 12:15 AM and the last bus leaves at 11:59 PM. To see the times for all buses from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:15am
Latest bus
11:59pm
Because many passengers travel from Thessaloniki to Istanbul at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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.
Most crowded
Monday
Least crowded
Tuesday
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Thessaloniki?
Main departure station: Monastiriou Bus Stop
Buses to Istanbul leave from 4 stations in Thessaloniki.
All bus stations in Thessaloniki:
- Monastiriou Bus Stop
- Bus Station KTEL
- Simeonidis Tours Office
- Thessaloniki Macedonia
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 Thessaloniki?
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