- Must visit
Istanbul Modern
Türkiye’s leading museum of modern and contemporary art on the Karaköy waterfront, known for major Turkish and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$28
Average price
$33
Fastest journey
5 h 45 m
Average duration
6 h 19 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
371 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Plovdiv to Istanbul will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $28.
Of the 6 buses that leave Plovdiv for Istanbul on Thu, Jun 04, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 04 the direct buses cover the 371 km distance in an average of 6 h 19 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 45 m .
On Thu, Jun 04 the slowest buses will take 7 h 5 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.
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FlixBus
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0Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Plovdiv to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 6h 36m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a bus costs an average of $28.
Distance: 230 miles (371 km)
Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|
$32 Average price Cheapest | $86 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 6m Average total duration Fastest 6h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 36m.
Tickets start at around $32 (€26) compared to roughly $86 (€70) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $54 (€44). The journey takes 6h 36m versus 4h 45m 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 FlixBus, ArdaTur, City Lines, Infobus, Huntur, Citylines, Alpar 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 FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 02:45AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 05:59AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
The table below shows live departures for Plovdiv to Istanbul buses for today, Wednesday, June 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 1:15 PM Plovdiv, Avtogara Yug (Пловдив, Автогара Юг) | 6h15 | 7:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7032782 | 3:30 PM Plovdiv (Пловдив) | 6h30 | 10:00 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7045828 | 9:00 PM Plovdiv (Пловдив) | 7h05 | 4:05 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, June 4 | |||||
FlixBus | 1:15 AM Plovdiv, Avtogara Yug (Пловдив, Автогара Юг) | 5h45 | 7:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
0 | 2:45 AM Plovdiv (Пловдив) | 8h00 | 10:45 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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 Plovdiv to Istanbul run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 230 miles (371 km) distance in 5h 0m.
Distance 230 miles (371 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 5h 0m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Istanbul — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Istanbul trip today.
Türkiye’s leading museum of modern and contemporary art on the Karaköy waterfront, known for major Turkish and international exhibitions.
The former Ottoman imperial palace with treasury, courtyards, and imperial collections that reveal centuries of court life.
A major complex of archaeology museums near Gülhane, famous for classical antiquities and artifacts from ancient civilizations.
The historic heart of old Istanbul, surrounded by major monuments and ideal for first-time visitors exploring on foot.
The city’s best-known pedestrian avenue, lined with historic buildings, shops, passages, galleries, and constant urban energy.
A fashionable Bosphorus promenade in Karaköy that has become highly popular for strolling, views, and contemporary city atmosphere.
A ring-shaped bread crusted with sesame seeds, widely eaten in Istanbul for breakfast or as a street snack with tea and cheese.
A classic Istanbul street food of grilled fish served in bread with salad and onion, especially associated with the Eminönü waterfront.
A traditional Turkish stew of white beans, often cooked with butter or meat and commonly served with rice in Istanbul lokantas.
One of Istanbul's best-known fine dining restaurants, blending Turkish ingredients with modern technique and offering panoramic city views.
A stylish, established lokanta serving refined Turkish home-style dishes and meze, popular for both lunch and evening dining.
Well-known terrace restaurant near Eminönü, famous for kebabs, pistachio specialties, and sweeping views over the Golden Horn.
Moderate for tourists: local food and transit are affordable, while hotels and upscale dining in central areas cost more.
Around 5-10% in casual restaurants and 10% in nicer places. Round up taxis. Small tips for hotel staff are appreciated; not expected for fast food.
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 Plovdiv 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.

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