There are 7 ways to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul by plane, train, bus, night train or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly to Istanbul
-
Fly from Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) to Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest option
Night train
-
Take the night train from Gara Bucureşti Nord to Halkali
5 alternative options
Fly to Sabiha Gokcen, train
-
Fly from Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) to Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)
-
Take the train from Ayrilikcesme to Yenikapi
Bus
-
Take the bus from Bucharest to İstanbul Esenler bus station
Train, bus
-
Take the train from Bucuresti Nord to Ruse
-
Take the bus from Ruse Central Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
Night train via Bucureşti
-
Take the night train from Bucureşti to Halkali
Drive
-
Drive from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul Esenler Otogar
Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul by train and bus
The journey time between Bucharest Gara de nord and Istanbul is around 16h 52m and covers a distance of around 757 km. This includes an average layover time of around 1h. Operated by Romanian Railways (CFR) and Citylines, the Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul service departs from Bucuresti Nord and arrives in Istanbul Büyük Otogari. Typically seven services run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul is to night train which costs $15 - $35 and takes 15h 22m.
The quickest way to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul is to fly which costs $90 - $230 and takes 4h 8m.
No, there is no direct train from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Gara Bucureşti Nord and arriving at Yenikapi via Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 22m.
The distance between Bucharest Gara de nord and Istanbul is 448 km. The road distance is 631.8 km.
The best way to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 12h 31m and costs $50 - $75.
It takes approximately 4h 8m to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul, including transfers.
Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Gara Bucureşti Nord station.
The best way to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul is to fly which takes 4h 8m and costs $90 - $230. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $50 - $75 and takes 12h 31m.
The quickest flight from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Istanbul Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 15m.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Bucharest Gara de nord. It is currently 5:30 AM in Bucharest Gara de nord and 6:30 AM in Istanbul.

- Distance: 448.2 km
- Duration: 4h 8m
What companies run services between Bucharest Gara de nord, Romania and Istanbul, Turkey?
Tarom and Turkish Airlines fly from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul Esenler Otogar 5 times a day. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Bucharest to İstanbul Esenler bus station 3 times a week. Tickets cost 1.500 ₺ - 2.100 ₺ and the journey takes 11h 10m.

- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 2.700 ₺ - 9.000 ₺

- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 2.700 ₺ - 9.000 ₺

- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Sabiha Gokcen
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 1.300 ₺ - 6.000 ₺

- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- Website
- tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
Train from Ayrilikcesme to Yenikapi
- Ave. Duration
- 14 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- 6 ₺ - 9 ₺
- Schedules at
- tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr

- Phone
- 0219521
- Website
- cfrcalatori.ro
Train from Bucuresti Nord to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 52m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 370 ₺ - 420 ₺
- Website
- https://www.cfrcalatori.ro/en/

- Phone
- +35929311111
- Website
- bdz.bg
Night train from Gara Bucureşti Nord to Halkali
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 440 ₺ - 950 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- 440 ₺ - 650 ₺
- 1st Class
- 650 ₺ - 950 ₺
Night train from Bucureşti to Halkali
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 44m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- 480 ₺ - 1.100 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- 480 ₺ - 700 ₺
- 1st Class
- 700 ₺ - 1.100 ₺

Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Bucharest to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 2.100 ₺
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions

- Phone
- +3590885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Ruse Central Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 13h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 950 ₺ - 1.050 ₺
- Schedules at
- citylines.eu
Want to know more about travelling around Turkey
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.
More Questions & Answers
Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Halkali station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul is 632 km. It takes approximately 8h 39m to drive from Bucharest Gara de nord to Istanbul.
Tarom and Turkish Airlines offer flights from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Istanbul Airport.
There are 2850+ hotels available in Istanbul. Prices start at 1.068 ₺ per night.
The best way to get from Bucharest Gara de nord to Bucharest Otopeni Airport is to train which takes 21 min and costs $1 - $4.