Facts about the bus from Bucharest to Istanbul
| Cheapest Bus | $33 |
| Fastest Bus | 9h |
| Earliest Bus | 6:30 PM |
| Latest Bus | 7:00 PM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 3 |
| Distance | 644 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | Lilian Express, Lotus Travel, Vib Marina |
Buses from Bucharest to Istanbul
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Bucharest to Istanbul Destination Reviews
BF
Benjamin FIt was a nice bus. They give you drinks and snacks, have charging outlets, stop for breaks. Pretty good experience for having to be in a bus for such a far distance.
Bucharest to Istanbul, Bus Standard 2X1, Lilian Expres Turizm, Dec 24, 2025
L
Leonora The trip was comfortable, they offered water and bananas during the trip. But please note that the bus does not depart from Filaret, but from Calea Rahovei 206, București (enter Marina turizm in the navigator), so we were almost late. But thanks to the company, they called back and asked where I was, and in 5 minutes we managed to get to the necessary station by car. We bought tickets online.
This review was autotranslated
Bucharest to Istanbul, Bus Standard 2X2, Marina Turizm, Oct 5, 2022
Bucharest to Istanbul Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aris Seyahat | Standard 2X2 | 16:00 | 05:00 | $23.74 | |
Marina Turizm | Standard 2X2 | 17:00 | 06:00 | $28.90 | |
Marina Turizm | Standard 2X1 | 17:00 | 06:00 | $28.90 | |
Marina Turizm | Standard 2X2 | 17:00 | 06:00 | $24.77 | |
Kidik Ulusay | Standard 2X2 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $37.16 | |
Lilian Expres Turizm | Standard 2X2 | 19:00 | 08:00 | $39.22 | |
Kidik Ulusay | Standard 2X1 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $37.16 | |
Lilian Expres Turizm | Standard 2X1 | 19:00 | 08:00 | $39.22 | |
Vib Kidik Turizm | Standard 2X1 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $26.84 | |
Vib Kidik Turizm | Standard 2X2 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $26.84 | |
Kidik Ulusay | Standard 2X1 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $26.84 | |
Kidik Ulusay | Standard 2X2 | 19:00 | 07:00 | $26.84 | |
Kidik Ulusay | Standard 2X1 | 19:00 | 06:00 | $26.84 |
How to get from Bucharest to Istanbul by Bus
Taking a bus to get from Bucharest to Istanbul is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. To less traveled destinations, there may be only 1 scheduled trip a day. The most common bus types are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, and premium buses.
It is best to reserve your tickets at least a few days ahead of your travel date. Check our list of bus companies available for online booking offering Bucharest to Istanbul tickets. When traveling on weekends and holidays it is recommended to reserve tickets much earlier due to higher numbers of travelers, both vacation-makers and urban workers returning home to their provincial home.
How far is it from Bucharest to Istanbul?
Traveling by bus, the distance from Bucharest to Istanbul depends on the route taken. Most bus companies travel via expressways or tollways. This may not necessarily be the shortest route but it is the fastest one as normally there is less traffic and no traffic lights.
To get to certain island destinations which are not connected to the mainland by a bridge, buses board large car ferries. Passengers are usually asked to get off the bus, but there is no need to take your luggage from the bus. The travel distance from port to port is added to the total distance.
How long does it take to get from Bucharest to Istanbul by Bus?
The estimate travel time from Bucharest to Istanbul is about 9h. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Bucharest and Istanbul may differ greatly There is usually more traffic between morning until afternoon during weekdays than during weekends.
Another important factor that may affect travel time is the type of bus. Premium or VIP buses are usually faster as they use motorways and call to fewer bus stations (if any) en route. Buses normally make short 10-30-minute breaks after a few hours of continuous travel to allow passengers use bathrooms, stock up on munchies and let bus attendants and the driver have rest.
Some premium buses have onboard toilets and the second driver. Nevertheless, usually they still make en route stops for a quick lunch or fuel refill.
How much does it cost to get from Bucharest to Istanbul by Bus?
The ticket price from Bucharest to Istanbul can vary depending on the type of buses you choose. For a less expensive ticket consider non-air-conditioned or ordinary buses. Premium or luxury buses are more expensive but you can expect more comfort and some additional services like phone charging ports, personal entertainment system screens and toilets.
Bucharest to Istanbul timetable
To help you plan your trip, here is the Bucharest to Istanbul timetable of bus departure and arrival times.
Best Rated Companies for this Route
Bus companies differ a lot in quality and service they provide. When choosing a bus company for you travels, do some basic research before you buy your tickets.
Safety is one of the most important aspects to consider. We also recommend you checking reviews on overall service quality of the bus companies serving this route.
Our service only partners with reliable and trustworthy bus companies. We do our best to provide your a choice of the best operators available on each route.
Transportation from Bucharest to Istanbul
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Buses$ 32.09
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Flights$ 96.70
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available
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Taxis are not available
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Vans are not available