- Must visit
Topkapı Palace
Former imperial residence with courtyards, treasury displays and pavilions that reveal Ottoman court life over several centuries.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£21
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£21
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
6 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
6 h 51 m
Buses on 17 Sept
18
Distance
269 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Ayvalık to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ayvalık to Istanbul will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £21.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 18 buses from Ayvalık to Istanbul, including 18 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 269 km distance in an average of 6 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 35 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 5 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Ayvalık to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £25 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 18m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £25, while a flight costs an average of £40.
Distance: 269 km
Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£25 Average Price Cheapest | £40 Average Price | £74 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 2m Average total duration 7h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration Fastest 1h 18m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 42m 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 Ayvalık to Istanbul:
A coach is £15 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ayvalık to Istanbul costing on average £40.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Coach takes on average 7h 32m.
Tickets start at around £25 compared to roughly £74 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £48. The journey takes 7h 32m versus 4h 42m 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 Truva, Balikesir Uludağ, Varan 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.
The table below shows live departures for Ayvalık to Istanbul coaches for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 1:00 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 6h50 | 7:50 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 1:00 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 6h35 | 7:35 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 5:15 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h15 | 13:30 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 5:15 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h30 | 13:45 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:00 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h45 | 18:45 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:00 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h30 | 18:30 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:15 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h45 | 20:00 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:15 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h00 | 20:15 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 14:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h15 | 22:45 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 14:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h00 | 22:30 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 15:45 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h00 | 22:45 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 15:45 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 6h45 | 22:30 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 16:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h20 | 0:50 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 16:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 8h00 | 0:30 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h20 | 5:50 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h05 | 5:35 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h45 | 7:15 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:30 Ayvalık, Bus Terminal | 7h30 | 7:00 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Ayvalık to Istanbul run on average 13 times per day, taking around 7h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 if you book in advance.
There are 13 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:58. The fastest coach covers the 269 km distance in 6h 45m.
Distance 269 km |
Average bus duration 7h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Buses per day 13 |
Direct buses 13 |
Fastest bus 6h 45m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:58 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 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 with courtyards, treasury displays and pavilions that reveal Ottoman court life over several centuries.
Underground Byzantine cistern with forest-like columns, atmospheric lighting and raised walkways near Hagia Sophia.
Leading modern art museum on the Bosphorus showing Turkish and international contemporary works in a striking waterfront building.
Lively historic avenue linking Taksim and Galata, lined with shops, arcades, consulates and landmarks, ideal for an urban walk.
Historic square beside major monuments, ideal for walking between monumental sites, gardens and fountains in the old city.
Colourful waterfront quarter with ferry views, street life, markets and an easy local feel on Istanbul’s Asian side.
A sesame-crusted bread ring sold by street vendors. It is an everyday Istanbul snack, especially popular at breakfast and with tea.
Baked potatoes filled with butter, cheese and varied toppings. This hearty street food is closely associated with the Ortaköy area of Istanbul.
Thin slices of lamb or beef cooked on a vertical spit and served in bread or on a plate. A defining fast food of Istanbul and wider Turkey.
Historic Sultanahmet restaurant known for Ottoman and Turkish dishes in a traditional setting near major old-city sights.
Traditional pudding shop in Fatih famed for sütlaç, kazandibi and other classic Turkish milk desserts in a simple historic venue.
Well-known meyhane-style venue by the Bosphorus, popular for meze, seafood and rakı in a lively waterside setting.
Moderate for a major city: hotels vary widely, meals can be cheap, and public transport is low-cost compared with many European city breaks.
Tip 5-10% in restaurants if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. In cafés, leaving small change is customary but not essential.
Official public transport app
Gayrettepe -> Gayrettepe
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ayvalık to Istanbul 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 Istanbul, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Ayvalık to Istanbul buses use the Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) station pair, with some services arriving at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı. Use this guide to compare Ayvalık and Istanbul bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali is 2 km from Ayvalık city centre. Public transport options include:
Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Small cafes and snack shops available
Wi-Fi is available at Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali. ATMs are aTM machine available near entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali.
Available at Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ayvalık, Otobüs Terminali: Wheelchair accessible ramps and paths.
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.
İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı is 8 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Alibeyköy (in the station), Kebab House (0.2 km), Simit Sarayı (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı.
Available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı: Elevators, ramps.
Istanbul, Dudullu Giden Yolcu Terminali is 16 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul, Dudullu Giden Yolcu Terminali has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several fast food and sit-down restaurants available.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. ATMs are aTMs available near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Istanbul, Dudullu Giden Yolcu Terminali.
Available at Istanbul, Dudullu Giden Yolcu Terminali: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul, Dudullu Giden Yolcu Terminali: Elevators and ramps available for disabled access.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need