- Must visit
Topkapı Palace Museum
Former imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, known for its courtyards, treasury, sacred relics, and Bosphorus views.
Cheapest price
$38
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
8 h 30 m
Average duration
9 h 6 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
259 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Varna to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Varna to Istanbul will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $38.
Of the 5 buses that leave Varna for Istanbul on Fri, Jul 10, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 10 the direct buses cover the 259 km distance in an average of 9 h 6 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
On Fri, Jul 10 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.
7173624
7112393
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7099195
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0
7112393
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7099195
7173624Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Varna to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 49m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $161.
Distance: 160 miles (259 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$40 Average price Cheapest | $340 Average price | $95 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 7m Average total duration 7h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 49m Average total duration Fastest 4h 49m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 19m 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 Varna to Istanbul:
A bus is $300 (€246) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Varna to Istanbul costing on average $340 (€279).
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 37m.
Tickets start at around $40 (€33) compared to roughly $95 (€78) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $55 (€45). The journey takes 7h 37m versus 6h 19m 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 ArdaTur | Departure Time 05:00AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator LikeBus | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
The table below shows live departures for Varna to Istanbul buses for tomorrow, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7099195 | 5:00 AM Varna | 9h30 | 2:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7173624 | 8:00 AM Varna | 9h30 | 5:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7112393 | 8:30 PM Varna | 8h30 | 5:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
0 | 9:30 PM Varna | 9h30 | 7:00 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 Varna to Istanbul run on average 3 times per day, taking around 7h 37m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:00, the last at 22:30. The fastest bus covers the 160 miles (259 km) distance in 7h 30m.
Distance 160 miles (259 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 7h 30m |
First bus 5:00 AM |
Last bus 10:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 56 days |
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 Varna 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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