There are 5 ways to get from Plovdiv Station 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 Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler OtogariArda - Tur
5h 40m₺1,000–1,500Train
cheapest- Take the train from Plovdiv to Halkalı
9h 17m₺505–2,879Train via Svilengrad
- Take the train from Plovdiv to SvilengradRe / ...
- Take the train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
9h 10m₺554–855Drive 412.9 km
- Drive from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul412.9 km
3h 56m₺2,757–3,981Bus via Bayrampaşa
- Take the bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşa
7h 52m₺650–1,700
Plovdiv Station to Istanbul by foot and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul is to train via Svilengrad which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul is to drive which takes 3h 56m and costs 2.700 ₺ - 4.000 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Plovdiv Bus Station South station and arriving at Istanbul Esenler Otogari. Services depart four times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 35m.
No, there is no direct train from Plovdiv Station 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 Station and Istanbul is 459 km. The road distance is 412.9 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 5h 40m and costs 1.000 ₺ - 1.500 ₺.
The bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari takes 5h 35m including transfers and departs four times a day.
Plovdiv Station to Istanbul bus services, operated by Arda Tur, depart from Plovdiv Bus Station South.
Plovdiv Station to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Plovdiv station.
The best way to get from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul is to bus which takes 5h 40m and costs 1.000 ₺ - 1.500 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Svilengrad, which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
What companies run services between Plovdiv Station, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Arda Tur operates a bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari 3 times a day. Tickets cost ₺1,123 and the journey takes 5h 35m. Four other operators also service this route. 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
- ₺200–310
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- ₺200–290
- 1st Class
- ₺300–310
- 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
Train from Plovdiv to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 39m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺470–2,835
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺1,573
- Single Room
- ₺2,835
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,383
- 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
- ₺1,123
- 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 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,000–1,500
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- 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/
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşa
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺650–1,610
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺650–800
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 Station to Istanbul bus services, operated by Arda Tur, arrive at Istanbul Esenler Otogari station.
Istanbul is 2h ahead of Plovdiv Station. It is currently 4:24 PM in Plovdiv Station and 6:24 PM in Istanbul.
Plovdiv Station to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Svilengrad station.
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv Station to Istanbul is 413 km. It takes approximately 3h 56m to drive from Plovdiv Station to Istanbul.
Book your Plovdiv Station to Istanbul bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
There are 4533+ hotels available in Istanbul.

































