- Must visit
Topkapı Palace Museum
Former Ottoman imperial palace with treasury, courtyards, and sacred relics; one of the city’s essential historical museum visits.
Cheapest price
$51
Average price
$51
Fastest journey
12 h 39 m
Average duration
12 h 50 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
473 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Dalaman to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dalaman to Istanbul will cost around $51 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $51.
Of the 2 buses that leave Dalaman for Istanbul on Sun, Jun 21, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 473 km distance in an average of 12 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 39 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 13 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Dalaman to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 25m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $29.
Distance: 293 miles (473 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$51 Average price Cheapest | $56 Average price | $162 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 34m Average total duration 12h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration Fastest 1h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Dalaman to Istanbul:
A bus is $5 (€4) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dalaman to Istanbul costing on average $56 (€45).
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 4m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 12h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 13h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
The table below shows live departures for Dalaman to Istanbul buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 12:30 PM Dalaman, Bus Station | 13h00 | 1:30 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:30 PM Dalaman, Bus Station | 12h39 | 1:09 AM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Dalaman to Istanbul run on average 5 times per day, taking around 12h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€34) but you can travel from only $29 (€24) by flight.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:20, the last at 22:35. The fastest bus covers the 293 miles (473 km) distance in 11h 55m.
Distance 293 miles (473 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€34) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 11h 55m |
First bus 12:20 AM |
Last bus 10:35 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Istanbul — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Istanbul trip today.
Former Ottoman imperial palace with treasury, courtyards, and sacred relics; one of the city’s essential historical museum visits.
Major complex of archaeology museums with artifacts from Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the ancient Near East.
Turkey’s leading modern and contemporary art museum, known for strong exhibitions and a Bosphorus-facing setting.
Historic heart of old Istanbul, linking Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and major Byzantine and Ottoman sites.
Bustling pedestrian avenue lined with historic buildings, shops, galleries, and the nostalgic tram.
Redeveloped waterfront promenade with Bosphorus views, public art, and strong social-media popularity.
Ring-shaped bread coated with sesame seeds, sold by street vendors and bakeries across Istanbul. It is a classic breakfast and snack food closely associated with daily life in the city.
A famous Istanbul street food of grilled fish served in bread, especially associated with the Eminönü waterfront. It is valued for its simple, fresh Bosphorus flavor.
Slow-cooked white bean stew, often served with rice and pickles. It is a comforting staple in traditional Istanbul lokantas and can be made simply or with meat.
Respected modern lokanta serving polished Turkish home-style cooking, meze, and seasonal dishes. Stylish but grounded in tradition.
Well-known restaurant in Eminönü famous for kebabs, lahmacun, and views over the Golden Horn. Established, lively, and popular with both locals and visitors.
Long-running Üsküdar lokanta known for hearty everyday Turkish dishes, soups, stews, and classic desserts. Casual, authentic, and very local in feel.
Moderate for most tourists. Street food and transit are good value, while hotels and upscale dining in central areas cost more.
Around 5-10% in casual restaurants and 10% in nicer places if service is not included. Round up taxis. Small tips are appreciated for hotel staff and delivery.
Official public transport app
İstanbul Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1), Istanbul -> Sirkeci Station, Istanbul
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dalaman to Istanbul by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Istanbul, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Dalaman to Istanbul buses use the Dalaman, Otogar to İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı station pair, with some services arriving at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler). Use this guide to compare Dalaman and Istanbul bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı is 8 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Alibeyköy (in the station), Kebab House (0.2 km), Simit Sarayı (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı.
Available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı: Elevators, ramps.
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) is 5 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Terminal (in the station), Kebab Express (0.2 km), Simit Sarayı (0.3 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and throughout the station.
Ticket office support is available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler).
Available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Elevators, ramps.
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