- Must visit
Istanbul Modern
Leading contemporary art museum on the Bosphorus with strong Turkish and international exhibitions in a landmark waterfront building.
Cheapest price
$118
Average price
$118
Fastest journey
1 d 2 h
Average duration
1 d 2 h
Buses per day
1
Distance
1326 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Tbilisi to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tbilisi to Istanbul will cost around $118 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $118.
Of the 1 buses that leave Tbilisi for Istanbul on Wed, Aug 12, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 12 the direct buses cover the 1326 km distance in an average of 1 d 2 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 2 h .
On Wed, Aug 12 the slowest buses will take 1 d 2 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.


Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Tbilisi to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $102. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 7h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $102, and a flight costs an average of $72.
Distance: 823 miles (1326 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$114 Average price Cheapest | $180 Average price | $245 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
14h 35m Average total duration 14h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 33m Average total duration Fastest 7h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 20h 5m 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 Tbilisi to Istanbul:
A bus is $65 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Tbilisi to Istanbul costing on average $180.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 14h 5m.
You'll arrive about 6h 0m sooner (14h 5m by bus vs 20h 5m by car) and save roughly $130 compared to fuel and tolls ($114 vs $245). 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.
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 Infobus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 04:00AM | Duration 26h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $118 |
The table below shows live departures for Tbilisi to Istanbul buses for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:00 AM Tbilisi | 26h00 | 4:00 AM Istanbul | 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 Tbilisi to Istanbul run on average 1 times per day, taking around 14h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $102 but you can travel from only $72 by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 15:00. The fastest bus covers the 823 miles (1326 km) distance in 26h 0m.
Distance 823 miles (1326 km) |
Average bus duration 14h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $102 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 26h 0m |
First bus 6:00 AM |
Last bus 3:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Wed |
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.
Leading contemporary art museum on the Bosphorus with strong Turkish and international exhibitions in a landmark waterfront building.
Major archaeology museum complex displaying masterpieces from ancient Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the classical world.
Restored church-museum famed for exceptional Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that rival the city’s most celebrated monuments.
Historic square between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, ideal for walking among Istanbul’s greatest imperial monuments.
Lively pedestrian avenue lined with historic passages, shops, consulates, and culture venues in the heart of Beyoğlu.
Historic uphill quarter around the tower with narrow lanes, old facades, and photogenic walks toward Karaköy.
Grilled minced lamb kebab from southeastern Turkey, served with vegetables and lavash. A staple in Istanbul kebab houses and a classic local favorite.
Rice pilaf, currants, pine nuts, and herbs stuffed into mussel shells. A famous Istanbul street food, especially along waterfront districts.
Layers of thin dough with pistachios or walnuts and syrup. An Ottoman dessert strongly associated with Istanbul's historic sweet shops.
Historic Sultanahmet restaurant known for refined Ottoman dishes and elegant service in a classic setting near major sights.
Beloved meyhane in Beyoğlu serving classic meze, rakı, and seasonal seafood in a lively, traditional tavern environment.
Established Bosphorus fish restaurant known for fresh seafood, meze, and water views. A polished choice for a classic Istanbul dinner.
Moderate for major city breaks: dining and transit are reasonable, but central hotels and tourist areas cost more than many nearby Turkish destinations.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service not included. Cafes: round up or leave small change. Taxis: round up the fare; larger tips are optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi to Istanbul buses use the Tbilisi (თბილისი) to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) station pair. Use this guide to compare Tbilisi and Istanbul bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Tbilisi (თბილისი) is 3 km from Tbilisi city centre. Public transport options include:
Tbilisi (თბილისი) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several snack bars located nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at Tbilisi (თბილისი). ATMs are aTMs are accessible near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Tbilisi (თბილისი).
Available at Tbilisi (თბილისი): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tbilisi (თბილისი): Wheelchair access through main entrance.
Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური) is 2 km from Tbilisi city centre. Public transport options include:
Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Snack bars and cafes available.
Wi-Fi is available at Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური). ATMs are aTM located near main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური).
Available at Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tbilisi, Ortachala Central Bus Station თბილისი, ორთაჭალის ცენტრალური ავტოსადგური): Wheelchair accessible entrance and facilities.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need