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Cheap bus tickets from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Istanbul to Thessaloniki. Traveling by bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki usually takes around 9 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Arda Tur bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 30 minutes.
- Distance
- 316 mi (509 km)
- Shortest duration
- 8h 30m
- Cheapest price
- CZK 1,103.31
- Trips per day
- 5
- Most frequent service
- Arda Tur
- Bus lines
- 2
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Istanbul to Thessaloniki Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Istanbul to Thessaloniki:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
Bus tickets for a trip from Istanbul to Thessaloniki cost about CZK 1,116 when you book at the cheapest time, on the day you travel. Tickets cheaper than CZK 1,116 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 Istanbul to Thessaloniki by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CZK 1,121 to CZK 1,164. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Thessaloniki this week, bus tickets are available starting at CZK 1,121.
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 Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Istanbul to Thessaloniki that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Arda Tur usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
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 Istanbul to Thessaloniki, and usually makes the trip in about 14 hours and 26 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Istanbul to Thessaloniki 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 Istanbul to Thessaloniki without transferring.
Trips per day
5
Direct trips
5
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 316 miles from Istanbul to Thessaloniki. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 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.
Distance (mi)
316
Distance (km)
509
The first bus leaves at 12:00 PM and the last bus leaves at 11:00 PM. To see the times for all buses from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:00pm
Latest bus
11:00pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Thessaloniki 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, 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
Sunday
Least crowded
Tuesday
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Istanbul?
Main departure station: Istanbul Esenler Otogari
Istanbul has two bus stations with service to Thessaloniki.
All bus stations in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı
Where does the bus arrive in Thessaloniki?
Main arrival station: Bus Station KTEL
Buses arrive in Thessaloniki at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Thessaloniki:
- Bus Station KTEL
- Monastiriou Bus Stop
- Manastiriou 63
- Thessaloniki Macedonia
Need a return trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul?
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