- Must visit
Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Leading Romanian art museum in the former royal palace, with European and national collections across several elegant galleries.
Cheapest price on 30 Aug
£35
Average ticket price on 30 Aug
£53
Fastest journey on 30 Aug
10 h 10 m
Average journey duration on 30 Aug
16 h 50 m
Buses on 30 Aug
3
Distance
445 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Istanbul to Bucharest is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Bucharest will cost around £53 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £35.
On Sun 30 Aug, we found 3 buses from Istanbul to Bucharest, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 445 km distance in an average of 16 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 10 m .
The slowest buses will take 21 h 20 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 Istanbul to Bucharest among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 41m. 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 £24, while a flight costs an average of £85.
Distance: 445 km
Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|
£24 Average Price Cheapest | £85 Average Price |
11h 11m Average total duration 10h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 1h 41m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Bucharest coaches for today, Saturday 29 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 19h00 | 6:00 București, Autogara Militari | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 22:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 10h10 | 8:10 București, Autogara Militari | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 23:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 21h20 | 20:20 București, Autogara Militari | 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 Istanbul to Bucharest run on average 7 times per day, taking around 10h 41m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 6 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 03:00, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 445 km distance in 10h 0m.
Distance 445 km |
Average bus duration 10h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 10h 0m |
First bus 3:00 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Bucharest — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bucharest trip today.
Leading Romanian art museum in the former royal palace, with European and national collections across several elegant galleries.
Open-air museum with traditional houses, churches and farm buildings moved from across Romania, ideal for architecture and folklore.
Museum in Ceaușescu’s former residence, showing preserved private rooms, décor and daily life inside the late communist elite.
Atmospheric historic quarter with churches, inns, small lanes and restored buildings, ideal for walking and seeing old Bucharest.
Elegant central avenue linking major squares, theatres and historic buildings; one of the city’s best walks for architecture and atmosphere.
Large landscaped park around Herăstrău Lake with promenades, boat rentals and green space for a relaxed break from central traffic.
Sarmale are cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, slowly cooked and often served with polenta. They are a festive Romanian staple.
Mici are skinless grilled minced meat rolls seasoned with garlic and spices. They are a beloved street and barbecue classic in Bucharest.
Ciorbă de burtă is a rich sour tripe soup with garlic, vinegar and cream. It is one of Romania’s most iconic traditional soups.
Elegant dining room showcasing modern Romanian cooking and tasting menus in a polished central setting.
Historic beer hall serving Romanian classics, grilled meats and local beer in a lively old-town setting.
Stylish restaurant focused on Romanian cuisine with refined plating and a more contemporary dining room.
Budget-friendly for a European capital: hotels, meals and public transport are generally cheaper than in Western and Central European city breaks.
Service is not always included. Tip 10% in restaurants for good service, round up or add 5-10% for taxis, and small change at cafés is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Bucharest 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 Bucharest, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Istanbul to Bucharest buses use the Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) to București station pair, with some services arriving at București, Autogara Militari. Use this guide to compare Istanbul and Bucharest bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need