There are 6 ways to get from Istanbul to Ruse by plane, shuttle, 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.
Fly to Bucharest Otopeni, shuttle
best- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)IST - OTP
- Take a shuttle bus from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Ruse
3h 46m$214–524Night train
cheapest- Take the night train from Halkali to RuseBosphor Express
9h 25m$18–36Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ruse
12h$30–50Drive 558.2 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Ruse558.2 km
6h 47m$88–127Fly to Varna Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)IST - VAR
- Take a shuttle bus from Varna Airport to Ruse
5h 36m$239–664Bus via Shumen
- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Shumen Kaliakra Bus StopCitylines 56 / ...
- Take the bus from Shumen to Ruse East984
14h 20m$42–51
Istanbul to Ruse by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Ruse is to night train which costs $17 - $40 and takes 9h 25m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Ruse is to fly and shuttle which takes 3h 46m and costs $210 - $550.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Otogari and arriving at Ruse. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 12h.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Ruse. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Ruse via Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 25m.
The distance between Istanbul and Ruse is 562 km. The road distance is 558.2 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Ruse without a car is to bus which takes 12h and costs $30 - $50.
It takes approximately 3h 46m to get from Istanbul to Ruse, including transfers.
Istanbul to Ruse bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, depart from Istanbul Otogari station.
Istanbul to Ruse train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Halkali station.
Istanbul to Ruse bus services, operated by Metro Turizm, arrive at Ruse station.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Ruse, Bulgaria?
Metro Turizm operates a bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ruse once daily. Tickets cost $18–42 and the journey takes 12h. Ruse Bus also services this route 4 times a week. Alternatively, Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) operates a vehicle from Halkali to Ruse twice a week. Tickets cost $17–35 and the journey takes 7h 53m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–210
Flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–350
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Istanbul to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–210
- Website
- animawings.com
Flights from Istanbul to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $55–180
- Phone
- +35929311111
- onlineticket@bdz.bg
- Website
- bdz.bg
Night train from Halkali to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 53m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $17–35
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- $17–25
- 1st Class
- $24–35
- Phone
- +359 89 345 5533
- info@atlastaxi.eu
- Website
- atlastaxi.eu
Shuttle from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $120–280
- Website
- https://atlastaxi.eu/
Shuttle from Varna Airport to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $90–260
- Website
- https://atlastaxi.eu/
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $18–42
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- $18–22
- Phone
- +359 82 82 81 51
- info@avtogararuse.org
- Website
- avtogararuse.org
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 44m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Schedules at
- avtogararuse.org
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Shumen Kaliakra Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Shumen Kaliakra Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $28–33
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Shumen to Ruse East
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $13–19
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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More Questions & Answers
Ruse is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 1:13 AM in Istanbul and 12:13 AM in Ruse.
Istanbul to Ruse train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Ruse station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Ruse is 558 km. It takes approximately 6h 47m to drive from Istanbul to Ruse.
Book your Istanbul to Ruse bus tickets online with Distribusion.
There are 212+ hotels available in Ruse.


















