There are 7 ways to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) 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 Plovdiv to Istanbul
5h 16m₺950–1,400Train
cheapest- Take the train from Plovdiv to Halkalı
9h 17m₺505–2,880Train via Svilengrad
- 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, fly to Istanbul
- Take the bus from Plovdiv North Bus and Coach Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)SOF - IST
5h 49m₺4,751–12,628Bus via Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Take the bus from Plovdiv Bus Station South to Istanbul Esenler OtogariArda - Tur
5h 51m₺1,100–1,400Bus, fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Take the bus from Plovdiv North Bus and Coach Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)SOF - SAW
5h 46m₺5,301–13,428
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) is to train via Svilengrad which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) is to drive which takes 3h 54m and costs 2.700 ₺ - 4.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct train from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State). 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 (State) is 436 km. The road distance is 410.7 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) without a car is to bus which takes 5h 16m and costs 950 ₺ - 1.400 ₺.
It takes approximately 5h 16m to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State), including transfers.
Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Plovdiv station.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) is to bus which takes 5h 16m and costs 950 ₺ - 1.400 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Svilengrad, which costs 550 ₺ - 900 ₺ and takes 9h 10m.
Istanbul (State) is 1h ahead of Plovdiv. It is currently 1:36 PM in Plovdiv and 2:36 PM in Istanbul (State).
Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Svilengrad station.
What companies run services between Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Istanbul (State), 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
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,000–10,000
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Wednesday to Friday
- Estimated price
- ₺3,000–10,000
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺4,300–14,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,600–11,000
- 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
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
- ₺1,574
- Single Room
- ₺2,835
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,384
- 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
- 07001 8282
- booking@union-ivkoni.com
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus from Plovdiv North Bus and Coach Station to Sofia Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺300–430
- Website
- https://union-ivkoni.com/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
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv to Istanbul (State) is 411 km. It takes approximately 3h 54m to drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul (State).
There are 4461+ hotels available in Istanbul (State).