There are 6 ways to get from Bansko to Istanbul by bus, train, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Bansko to Plovdiv South
- Take the bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
9h₺1,223–1,984Train
cheapest- Take the train from Bansko to Septemvri
- Take the train from Septemvri to Svilengrad
- Take the train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
14h 31m₺747–1,248Drive 555 km
- Drive from Bansko to Istanbul555 km
6h 7m₺3,744–5,408Bus, fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Take the bus from Bansko New Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)SOF - SAW
6h 43m₺4,637–13,867Bus via Plovdiv
- Take the bus from Bansko to Plovdiv Rodopi
- Take the bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük OtogariCitylines 40 / ...
10h 14m₺1,386–1,905Bus, fly to Istanbul
- Take the bus from Bansko New Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)SOF - IST
- Take the bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul Otogari
7h 23m₺4,354–10,126
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to train which costs 700 ₺ - 1.300 ₺ and takes 14h 31m.
The fastest way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to drive which takes 6h 7m and costs 3.700 ₺ - 5.500 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Bansko to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Bansko and arriving at Istanbul via Plovdiv. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h.
No, there is no direct train from Bansko to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Bansko and arriving at Yenikapi via Septemvri, Svilengrad and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 31m.
The distance between Bansko and Istanbul is 574 km. The road distance is 555 km.
The best way to get from Bansko to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 9h and costs 1.200 ₺ - 2.000 ₺.
It takes approximately 9h to get from Bansko to Istanbul, including transfers.
Bansko to Istanbul bus services, operated by Municipality of Bansko, depart from Bansko station.
Bansko to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Bansko station.
The best way to get from Bansko to Istanbul is to bus which takes 9h and costs 1.200 ₺ - 2.000 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 700 ₺ - 1.300 ₺ and takes 14h 31m.
What companies run services between Bansko, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
You can take a bus from Bansko to Istanbul via Plovdiv in around 9h. Alternatively, you can take a train from Bansko to Yenikapi via Septemvri, Svilengrad, and Halkali in around 14h 31m.
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–11,000
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,100–8,500
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- ₺3,100–8,500
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺4,400–10,000
- Phone
- +35929311111
- onlineticket@bdz.bg
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Bansko to Septemvri
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 14m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺170–270
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- ₺170–240
- 1st Class
- ₺230–270
Train from Septemvri to Svilengrad
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 23m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺230–440
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- ₺230–330
- 1st Class
- ₺310–440
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺320–500
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- 0898 448 696
- marketing@grad.bg
- Website
- bansko.net
Bus from Bansko to Plovdiv South
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺270–390
- Schedules at
- https://bansko.org/bansko_bus_schedule
- Website
- https://bansko.org/
Bus from Bansko to Plovdiv Rodopi
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺270–400
- Schedules at
- https://bansko.org/bansko_bus_schedule
- Website
- https://bansko.org/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺950–1,600
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- +359 2 493 0191
- info@traventuria.com
- Website
- traventuria.com
Bus from Bansko New Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺600–850
- Website
- https://traventuria.com/
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,700
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,410–1,430
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,400
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/?l=EN
- Phone
- 0850 888 33 34
- info@hava.ist
- Website
- hava.ist
Bus from Istanbul Airport Bus to Istanbul Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺130–280
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=en
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Bansko to Istanbul bus services, operated by Municipality of Bansko, arrive at Plovdiv South station.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Bansko. It is currently 3:17 PM in Bansko and 4:17 PM in Istanbul.
Bansko to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Septemvri station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bansko to Istanbul is 555 km. It takes approximately 6h 7m to drive from Bansko to Istanbul.
There are 4554+ hotels available in Istanbul.





























