Cheap bus tickets from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
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:
Istanbul to Thessaloniki Bus Schedule
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 14 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 | $49.53 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Arda Tur |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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 trips from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, and usually makes the trip in about 14 hours and 25 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
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 14 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Thessaloniki. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 12:00pm and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul?
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.