- 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
$32
Average price
$35
Fastest journey
7 h 5 m
Average duration
7 h 42 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
213 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sunny Beach to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sunny Beach to Istanbul will cost around $35 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 3 buses that leave Sunny Beach for Istanbul on Sun, Jun 21, 3 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 213 km distance in an average of 7 h 42 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 5 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 8 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.
6937760
7122540
7085432
6937760
7085432
7122540Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Sunny Beach 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 flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a flight costs an average of $165.
Distance: 132 miles (213 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$34 Average price Cheapest | $303 Average price | $72 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 16m Average total duration 7h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 40m 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 Sunny Beach to Istanbul:
A bus is $269 (€220) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sunny Beach to Istanbul costing on average $303 (€248).
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 46m.
Tickets start at around $34 (€28) compared to roughly $72 (€59) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $38 (€31). The journey takes 7h 46m versus 4h 40m 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, City Lines, 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 ArdaTur | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
The table below shows live departures for Sunny Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6988761 | 9:55 PM Слънчев бряг (Slanchev Bryag) | 7h05 | 5:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
7085432 | 6:30 AM Слънчев бряг (Slanchev Bryag) | 8h00 | 2:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7122540 | 9:30 AM Слънчев бряг (Slanchev Bryag) | 8h00 | 5:30 PM 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 Sunny Beach to Istanbul run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 46m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:30, the last at 22:45. The fastest bus covers the 132 miles (213 km) distance in 6h 5m.
Distance 132 miles (213 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 5m |
First bus 6:30 AM |
Last bus 10:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 6 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 Sunny Beach 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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