The cheapest and fastest coaches from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Cheapest price
526kr
Average price
628kr
Fastest journey
8 h 30 m
Average duration
11 h 1 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
507 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Istanbul to Thessaloniki is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Thessaloniki will cost around 628kr if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only 526kr.
Of the 4 buses that leave Istanbul for Thessaloniki every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 507 km distance in an average of 11 h 1 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
The slowest buses will take 17 h 50 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.
04:30 PM9h00Istanbul1:30 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
73202119:30 PM8h45Istanbul6:15 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
73202119:30 PM8h30Istanbul6:00 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
FlixBus · FlixBus11:00 AM17h50Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)4:50 AMThessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ)934 kr1One-way1 change
73202119:30 PM8h30Istanbul6:00 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
73202119:30 PM8h45Istanbul6:15 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
04:30 PM9h00Istanbul1:30 AMThessaloniki526 kr1One-way0 changes
FlixBus · FlixBus11:00 AM17h50Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)4:50 AMThessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ)934 kr1One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare coach and flight for Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Istanbul to Thessaloniki among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from 526kr. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the coach is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of 526kr, and a flight costs an average of 946kr.
Distance: 507 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|
571kr Average Price Cheapest | 2212kr Average Price |
10h 51m Average total duration 10h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Istanbul to Thessaloniki bus times
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Thessaloniki coaches for tomorrow, Wednesday, 12 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 17h50 | 4:50 AM Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) | 1 change | |
0 | 4:30 PM Istanbul | 9h00 | 1:30 AM Thessaloniki | 0 changesdirect | |
7320211 | 9:30 PM Istanbul | 8h30 | 6:00 AM Thessaloniki | 0 changesdirect | |
7320211 | 9:30 PM Istanbul | 8h45 | 6:15 AM Thessaloniki | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Istanbul to Thessaloniki by coach or flight
Compare coach 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.
12 Aug
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01 Sept
Why should you book Istanbul to Thessaloniki coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs ArdaTur?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for ArdaTur, but also compare tickets for the likes of Infobus, FlixBus or Alpar Turizm to find the best option for your trip from Istanbul to Thessaloniki.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare ArdaTur with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Istanbul to Thessaloniki.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Buses from Istanbul to Thessaloniki run on average 4 times per day, taking around 10h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at 526kr if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:15, the last at 23:00. The fastest coach covers the 507 km distance in 8h 30m.
Distance 507 km |
Average bus duration 10h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price 526kr |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 8h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:00 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 70 days |
Bus providers: ArdaTur, Infobus, FlixBus, Alpar Turizm from Istanbul to ThessalonikiYou can travel by bus between Istanbul to Thessaloniki with ArdaTur, Infobus, FlixBus, Alpar Turizm for as low as 526kr. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Infobus
FlixBus
ArdaTur
Alpar Turizm
FAQs: Istanbul to Thessaloniki coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Thessaloniki by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Thessaloniki, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Infobus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Infobus
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Istanbul and Thessaloniki
Most Istanbul to Thessaloniki buses use the Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) to Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) station pair, with some services arriving at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ). Use this guide to compare Istanbul and Thessaloniki bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Istanbul station do buses to Thessaloniki leave from?
Getting to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) from Istanbul city centre
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) is 5 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) bus station facilities and services
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafeteria Terminal (in the station), Kebab Express (0.2 km), Simit Sarayı (0.3 km).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and throughout the station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Elevators, ramps.
Getting to Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) from Thessaloniki city centre
Getting to Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) from Thessaloniki city centre
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) is 1 km from Thessaloniki city centre. Public transport options include:
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) bus station facilities and services
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside the station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ): Elevators, ramps.
Most popular bus connections from Istanbul
More options for your journey from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
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