- Must visit
Topkapı Palace
Former imperial residence with courtyards, treasury displays and pavilions that reveal Ottoman court life over several centuries.
Cheapest price on 23 Sept
£13
Average ticket price on 23 Sept
£35
Fastest journey on 23 Sept
10 h
Average journey duration on 23 Sept
12 h 41 m
Buses on 23 Sept
6
Distance
445 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bucharest to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bucharest to Istanbul will cost around £35 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
On Wed 23 Sept, we found 6 buses from Bucharest to Istanbul, including 4 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 445 km distance in an average of 12 h 41 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h .
The slowest buses will take 19 h 45 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.
7463734
7457465
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FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
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7457465
FlixBus
7463734
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bucharest to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £42 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 4m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.4 - 1.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £42, while a flight costs an average of £366.
Distance: 445 km
| Coach | Most popular Flight |
|---|---|
£42 Average Price Cheapest | £366 Average Price |
12h 21m Average total duration 11h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 4m Average total duration Fastest 4h 4m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.7kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Bucharest to Istanbul:
A coach is £324 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bucharest to Istanbul costing on average £366.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Coach takes on average 11h 51m.
The table below shows live departures for Bucharest to Istanbul coaches for today, Tuesday 22 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7546443 | 18:30 Bucharest | 11h30 | 6:00 Istanbul | 0 changesdirect | |
7546063 | 19:00 Bucharest | 10h00 | 5:00 Istanbul | 0 changesdirect | |
7457463 | 19:00 Bucharest | 11h00 | 6:00 Istanbul | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:00 București, Autogara Militari | 11h10 | 9:10 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
7534393 | 22:10 Bucharest | 13h50 | 12:00 Istanbul | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 23:45 București, Autogara Militari | 19h45 | 19:30 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 1 change | |
| Wednesday 23 September | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:10 București, Autogara Militari | 20h50 | 7:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 1 change | |
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 Bucharest to Istanbul run on average 6 times per day, taking around 11h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 03:00, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 445 km distance in 8h 0m.
Distance 445 km |
Average bus duration 11h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 8h 0m |
First bus 3:00 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 35 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest to Istanbul buses use the București to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) station pair, with some services arriving at İstanbul, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1). Use this guide to compare Bucharest and Istanbul bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
București has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several small food stalls available.
Wi-Fi is available at București. ATMs are aTM located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at București.
Available at București: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at București: Ramps available for wheelchair access.
Bucuresti, Rahova Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bucuresti, Rahova Bus Station: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
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, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1) is 32 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
İstanbul, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple dining options available including fast food and cafes.
Free Wi-Fi is available at designated areas. ATMs are aTMs available near entrance doors.
Ticket office support is available at İstanbul, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1).
Available at İstanbul, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at İstanbul, Havalimanı (Tayakadın Terminal Cad. No:1): Wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need