There are 5 ways to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv 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 Istanbul Esenler to Plovdiv
5h 40m$25Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Plovdiv
11h 49m$12–19Drive 411.4 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Plovdiv411.4 km
3h 54m$65–94Fly, train
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)IST - SOF
- Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Karlovo
5h 59m$119–283Bus via Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station SouthArda - Tur
6h 50m$28–34
Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights
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.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul to Plovdiv. However, there are services departing from Istanbul Esenler and arriving at Тунела – север-изток via Срещу автогара Юг. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 40m.
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 424 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 5h 40m and costs $25.
It takes approximately 5h 40m to get from Istanbul to Plovdiv, including transfers.
Istanbul to Plovdiv bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, depart from Istanbul Esenler 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 5h 40m and costs $25. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $11 - $19 and takes 11h 49m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Plovdiv, Bulgaria?
Luks Yonca operates a bus from Istanbul Esenler to Plovdiv once daily. Tickets cost $24 and the journey takes 5h 30m. 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
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–240
- 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
- +35929311111
- onlineticket@bdz.bg
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Iskarsko Shose to Karlovo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 43m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $4–8
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- $4–7
- 1st Class
- $6–8
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler to Plovdiv
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $24
- Schedules at
- polazak.rs
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- 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
- $30–40
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- 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
- +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
- $28–32
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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
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More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Plovdiv bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Plovdiv station.
Plovdiv is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 3:43 PM in Istanbul and 2:43 PM 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.
There are 675+ hotels available in Plovdiv.























