There are 4 ways to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv by bus, 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.
Istanbul to Plovdiv by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv is to train which costs $11 - $19 and takes 11h 49m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv is to drive which takes 3h 54m and costs $65 - $95.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Esenler Otogari and arriving at Plovdiv Bus Station South station. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 10m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Plovdiv. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Plovdiv via Halkalı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 49m.
The distance between Istanbul and Plovdiv is 435 km. The road distance is 411.4 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv without a car is to bus which takes 7h 10m and costs $15 - $35.
The bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South takes 7h 10m including transfers and departs every four hours.
Istanbul to Plovdiv bus services, operated by Arda Tur, depart from Istanbul Esenler Otogari station.
Istanbul to Plovdiv train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv is to bus which takes 7h 10m and costs $15 - $35. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $11 - $19 and takes 11h 49m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Plovdiv, Bulgaria?
Arda Tur operates a bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South 4 times a day. Tickets cost $26–35 and the journey takes 7h 10m. Six other operators also service this route. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Plovdiv once daily. Tickets cost $11–18 and the journey takes 10h 17m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Halkalı to Plovdiv
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 17m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $11–18
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $26–35
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $29–40
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $15–21
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $32–33
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $25
- Schedules at
- polazak.rs
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–35
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $27–32
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Bayrampaşa to Plovdiv
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $15–36
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- $15–18
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Plovdiv bus services, operated by Arda Tur, arrive at Plovdiv Bus Station South.
Plovdiv is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 10:58 AM in Istanbul and 9:58 AM in Plovdiv.
Istanbul to Plovdiv train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Plovdiv station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Plovdiv is 411 km. It takes approximately 3h 54m to drive from Istanbul to Plovdiv.
Book your Istanbul to Plovdiv bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
There are 729+ hotels available in Plovdiv.

































