There are 5 ways to get from Istanbul to Karesi by bus, ferry, 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Balikesirbus
5h 38m₺550–850Bus via Balıkesir Otogar
cheapest- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesirbus
6h 59m₺500–1,000Ferry, train
- Take the ferry from Yenikapı to Bandırmaferry
- Take the train from Bandırma Şehir to Balıkesirtrain 6 Eylül Ekspresi / ...
6h 20m₺823–893Train
- Take the train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Eskişehirtrain Yht / ...
- Take the train from Eskisehir to Balikesirtrain 22006
10h 32m₺815–1,323Drive 281.3 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Karesicar 281.3 km
2h 38m₺1,435–2,073
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Karesi is to bus via Balıkesir Otogar which costs 500 ₺ - 1.000 ₺ and takes 6h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Karesi is to drive which takes 2h 38m and costs 1.400 ₺ - 2.100 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Otogari and arriving at Balikesir. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 13m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Karesi. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Balikesir via Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme and Eskisehir. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 32m.
The distance between Istanbul and Karesi is 323 km. The road distance is 281.3 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Karesi without a car is to bus which takes 5h 38m and costs 550 ₺ - 850 ₺.
The bus from Istanbul Otogari to Balikesir takes 5h 13m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Istanbul to Karesi bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, depart from Istanbul Otogari station.
Istanbul to Karesi train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Karesi is to bus which takes 5h 38m and costs 550 ₺ - 850 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 800 ₺ - 1.400 ₺ and takes 10h 32m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Karesi, Turkey?
Metro Turizm operates a bus from Istanbul Otogari to Balikesir 3 times a day. Tickets cost ₺550–850 and the journey takes 5h 13m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Karesi via Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme, Eskişehir, Eskisehir, and Balikesir in around 10h 32m.
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Bandırma Şehir to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 48m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺110–180
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Eskişehir
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺390–650
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Eskisehir to Balikesir
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 16m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- ₺410–650
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Balikesir
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 13m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺550–850
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺550–700
- Phone
- 0 850 333 35 35
- info@pamukkale.com.tr
- Website
- pamukkale.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺550–950
- Schedules at
- pamukkale.com.tr
- Phone
- 0850 202 22 22
- iletisim@uludagturizm.com.tr
- Website
- balikesiruludag.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺700
- Schedules at
- balikesiruludag.com.tr
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺500–700
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- 0850 577 99 99
- info@varan.com.tr
- Website
- varan.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 46m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺700–1,000
- Schedules at
- varan.com.tr
- Phone
- 0(850) 309 22 16
- bilgi@istanbulkalesi.com.tr
- Website
- istanbulkalesi.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler to Balıkesir
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- istanbulkalesi.com.tr
- Phone
- 0 850 222 44 36
- info@ido.com.tr
- Website
- ido.com.tr
Ferry from Yenikapı to Bandırma
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺713
- Website
- https://www.ido.com.tr/en/
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose (and how do I get there)?, How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London, and French strikes 2018: What are my alternative transport options? - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Karesi bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, arrive at Balikesir station.
Istanbul to Karesi train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Eskişehir station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Karesi is 281 km. It takes approximately 2h 38m to drive from Istanbul to Karesi.
There are 10+ hotels available in Karesi.






























