- Must visit
Varna Archaeological Museum
Varna's premier museum, home to the world-famous Varna Gold and major Thracian, Greek, and Roman finds. Essential for understanding the city's ancient importance.
Cheapest price
€26
Average price
€33
Fastest journey
6 h 40 m
Average duration
8 h 6 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
259 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Istanbul to Varna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Varna will cost around €33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €26.
Of the 5 buses that leave Istanbul for Varna on Sat, Aug 01, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct buses cover the 259 km distance in an average of 8 h 6 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 40 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest buses will take 9 h 30 m 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.
7309186
FlixBus
7227152
6941534
0
6941534
7309186
0
7227152
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Istanbul to Varna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €26, and a flight costs an average of €134.
Distance: 160 miles (259 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€32 Average price Cheapest | €277 Average price | €68 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 5m Average total duration 8h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 53m 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 Istanbul to Varna:
A bus is €245 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Istanbul to Varna costing on average €277.
Other travel options to Varna take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 35m.
Tickets start at around €32 compared to roughly €68 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €36. The journey takes 8h 35m versus 5h 53m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by ArdaTur, Infobus, City Lines, FlixBus, Citylines, Metro Turizm.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator LuxBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price €39 |
Operator LuxBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €39 |
Operator LikeBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €37 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price €33 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price €31 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €31 |
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Varna buses for today, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6981797 | 6:30 PM Istanbul | 7h20 | 1:50 AM Varna | 0 transfersDirect | |
7248401 | 10:30 PM Istanbul | 8h40 | 7:10 AM Varna | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, August 1 | |||||
0 | 7:00 AM Istanbul | 8h20 | 3:20 PM Varna | 0 transfersDirect | |
6941534 | 2:30 PM Istanbul | 6h40 | 9:10 PM Varna | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight 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 Istanbul to Varna run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €26 if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:04, the last at 23:43. The fastest bus covers the 160 miles (259 km) distance in 6h 40m.
Distance 160 miles (259 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price €26 |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 6h 40m |
First bus 12:04 AM |
Last bus 11:43 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Varna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varna trip today.
Varna's premier museum, home to the world-famous Varna Gold and major Thracian, Greek, and Roman finds. Essential for understanding the city's ancient importance.
Important museum on Bulgaria's maritime history with historic vessels, naval artifacts, and submarine exhibits. Great for families and naval heritage fans.
Hands-on science museum with physics demonstrations, planetarium content, and interactive exhibits. Worth visiting for a fun, educational break from the beach.
Varna's signature seaside park with promenades, monuments, museums, gardens, and coastal views. The city's top walking area from morning to late evening.
Lively pedestrian boulevard lined with shops and historic facades. Ideal for strolling, people-watching, and linking the cathedral, center, and Sea Garden.
Main civic square in central Varna, surrounded by notable buildings and transport links. A practical meeting point and gateway to the historic center.
Cold yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, and walnut soup. A Bulgarian summer staple on the Black Sea coast, prized for its refreshing taste in hot weather.
Layered pastry with white sirene cheese, eggs, and butter. One of Bulgaria's best-known baked breakfasts, widely eaten in Varna bakeries and homes.
Shopska-style salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and grated sirene cheese. A national classic often started with rakia before meals in Varna.
Traditional Bulgarian tavern serving grills, salads, and hearty local dishes in a rustic, folk-style setting popular with locals.
Elegant seaside restaurant known for refined Black Sea fish, mussels, and polished service in the Sea Garden area.
Established seafood venue by the coast, valued for fresh fish, shellfish, and sea views in an upscale but relaxed atmosphere.
Budget-friendly for a Black Sea city. Hotels, meals, and local transit usually cost less than in many EU beach destinations, especially outside peak summer.
Around 10% in restaurants is common for good service. Round up in cafes and taxis, or add a small tip if service and fare handling were helpful.
Official public transport app
Varna, Avtogara -> Varna Cathedral, Varna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Varna 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 Varna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Istanbul to Varna buses use the Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) to Varna station pair, with some services arriving at Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара). Use this guide to compare Istanbul and Varna bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара) is 1 km from Varna city centre. Public transport options include:
Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Varna (in the station), Bistro Bulgaria (0.5 km), Restaurant Sea View (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside the station near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара).
Available at Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Varna, Avtogara (Варна, Aвтогара): Elevators, ramps.
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