- Must visit
Topkapı Palace Museum
Former imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, known for its courtyards, treasury, sacred relics, and Bosphorus views.
Cheapest price
$27
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
6 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 43 m
Buses per day
14
Distance
315 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Safranbolu to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Safranbolu to Istanbul will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $27.
Of the 14 buses that leave Safranbolu for Istanbul on Sun, Jul 12, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jul 12 the direct buses cover the 315 km distance in an average of 6 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 30 m .
On Sun, Jul 12 the slowest buses will take 6 h 55 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Safranbolu to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $21. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $21, and a flight costs an average of $27.
Distance: 195 miles (315 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$26 Average price Cheapest | $42 Average price | $78 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 1m Average total duration 6h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 26m 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 Safranbolu to Istanbul:
A bus is $17 (€14) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Safranbolu to Istanbul costing on average $42 (€35).
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 31m.
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 12:30AM | Arrival Time 07:05AM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
The table below shows live departures for Safranbolu to Istanbul buses for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h05 | 2:35 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 6h50 | 2:20 PM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h15 | 3:45 PM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h30 | 4:00 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h15 | 5:45 PM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h35 | 6:05 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:30 PM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h45 | 9:15 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:30 PM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h25 | 8:55 PM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:30 PM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h45 | 11:15 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:30 PM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 7h25 | 10:55 PM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 6h35 | 7:05 AM İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:30 AM Safranbolu, Bus Station | 6h55 | 7:25 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 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 Safranbolu to Istanbul run on average 15 times per day, taking around 6h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $21 (€17) if you book in advance.
There are 15 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:58. The fastest bus covers the 195 miles (315 km) distance in 7h 20m.
Distance 195 miles (315 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 (€17) |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 15 |
Fastest bus 7h 20m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Istanbul — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Istanbul trip today.
Former imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, known for its courtyards, treasury, sacred relics, and Bosphorus views.
Major museum complex with outstanding collections from ancient Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the classical world, including the Alexander Sarcophagus.
Set in the former Ibrahim Pasha Palace, this museum is noted for carpets, calligraphy, woodwork, and ethnographic displays.
Historic heart of the old city, surrounded by Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and major Byzantine and Ottoman monuments.
Istanbul’s best-known pedestrian avenue, lined with historic buildings, shops, passages, galleries, and lively street life.
Redeveloped waterfront promenade with public art, Bosphorus views, and strong recent popularity among visitors and social media users.
A ring-shaped bread coated with sesame seeds, sold by street vendors and bakeries. It is a classic Istanbul breakfast snack and everyday staple.
A famous Istanbul street food of grilled fish served in bread with salad and onion, especially associated with the Eminönü waterfront.
Thinly sliced döner meat over pide bread with tomato sauce, melted butter, and yogurt. It is one of Türkiye’s best-known hearty meat dishes.
One of Istanbul’s landmark fine dining restaurants, known for contemporary Turkish cuisine, tasting menus, and panoramic city views.
A well-known modern lokanta serving refined Turkish classics and meze in an elegant but lively setting in Karaköy.
A famous long-running restaurant near Eminönü known for kebabs, lahmacun, and wide views over the Historic Peninsula.
Moderate for most tourists. Food and transit are good value, while hotels in central areas can be costly.
Around 5-10% in restaurants is common if service is not included. Round up taxis. Small tips are appreciated for hotel staff and delivery drivers.
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 Safranbolu 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need