There are 4 ways to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
5h₺950–1,400Train
cheapest- Take the train from Plovdiv to SvilengradRe / ...
- Take the train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
9h 10m₺554–855Drive 410.7 km
- Drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul410.7 km
3h 54m₺2,741–3,959Bus via Тунела – север-запад
- Take the bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler OtogariArda - Tur
6h 42m₺1,104–1,405
Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to train which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to drive which takes 3h 54m and costs 2.700 ₺ - 4.000 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Plovdiv and arriving at Istanbul. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h.
No, there is no direct train from Plovdiv to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Plovdiv and arriving at Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 10m.
The distance between Plovdiv and Istanbul is 429 km. The road distance is 410.7 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 5h and costs 950 ₺ - 1.400 ₺.
The bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul takes 5h including transfers and departs once daily.
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Alpar Turizm, depart from Plovdiv station.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Plovdiv station.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to bus which takes 5h and costs 950 ₺ - 1.400 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
What companies run services between Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Alpar Turizm operates a bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul once daily. Tickets cost ₺950–1,400 and the journey takes 5h. Alternatively, you can take a train from Plovdiv to Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali in around 9h 10m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Phone
- +35929311111
- onlineticket@bdz.bg
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Plovdiv to Svilengrad
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 23m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺200–315
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- ₺200–290
- 1st Class
- ₺305–315
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺320–500
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺950–1,400
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,124
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,700
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,360–1,390
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,400
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
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
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Alpar Turizm, arrive at Istanbul station.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Plovdiv. It is currently 9:31 AM in Plovdiv and 10:31 AM in Istanbul.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Svilengrad station.
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv to Istanbul is 411 km. It takes approximately 3h 54m to drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul.
Book your Plovdiv to Istanbul bus tickets online with Omio and Distribusion.
There are 4520+ hotels available in Istanbul.





























