There are 4 ways to get from Istanbul to Sliven by bus, night train, 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 Büyük Otogari to Sliven Central Bus Stationbus
7h 29m$24–35Night train, train
cheapest- Take the nighttrain from Halkali to Stara Zagoranighttrain Bosphor Express
- Take the train from Stara Zagora to Zimnitsatrain Ic
10h 45m$9–34Drive 365.8 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Slivencar 365.8 km
4h 8m$58–84Bus via Burgas
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Burgas Bus Station Southbus Arda-Tur
- Take the bus from Burgas Bus Station South to Sliven Central Bus Stationbus Union Ivkoni
8h 20m$56–102
Istanbul to Sliven by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Sliven is to night train and train which costs $9 - $35 and takes 10h 45m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Sliven is to drive which takes 4h 8m and costs $55 - $85.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Büyük Otogari and arriving at Sliven Central Bus Station station. Services depart six times a week, and operate Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 7h 29m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul to Sliven. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Sliven via Halkali, Stara Zagora and Zimnitsa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 45m.
The distance between Istanbul and Sliven is 359 km. The road distance is 365.8 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Sliven without a car is to bus which takes 7h 29m and costs $24 - $35.
The bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sliven Central Bus Station takes 7h 29m including transfers and departs six times a week.
Istanbul to Sliven bus services, operated by Huntur, depart from Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Istanbul to Sliven train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Halkali station.
Istanbul to Sliven bus services, operated by Huntur, arrive at Sliven Central Bus Station.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Sliven, Bulgaria?
Huntur operates a bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sliven Central Bus Station 3 times a week. Tickets cost $23–55 and the journey takes 7h 29m. Citylines also services this route 3 times a week.
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- bdz_passengers@bdz.bg
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Night train from Halkali to Stara Zagora
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $6–27
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $6–9
- 1st Class
- $6–9
Train from Stara Zagora to Zimnitsa
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $1–4
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $1–3
- 1st Class
- $2–4
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- Huntur
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sliven Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 29m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $23–55
- Website
- Huntur
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sliven Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $24–35
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Burgas Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $21–28
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Burgas Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $48
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Burgas Bus Station South
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $27–45
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +359 88 949 0000
- office@union-ivkoni.com
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
Bus from Burgas Bus Station South to Sliven Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $6–9
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
- Phone
- +359 2 812 0 812
- operations@eurolines.bg
- Website
- karat-s.com
Bus from Burgas Bus Station South to Sliven Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Schedules at
- karat-s.com
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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Booking & Getting There
Istanbul to Sliven train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Stara Zagora station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Sliven is 366 km. It takes approximately 4h 8m to drive from Istanbul to Sliven.
Book your Istanbul to Sliven bus tickets online with Distribusion.
There are 85+ hotels available in Sliven.