- Recommended
ÇAYKUR Tea Museum
A compact museum presenting the story of tea growing and processing, a practical stop for understanding Rize’s signature crop and culture.
Cheapest price on 29 Oct
£29
Average ticket price on 29 Oct
£29
Fastest journey on 29 Oct
18 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 29 Oct
19 h 5 m
Buses on 29 Oct
4
Distance
970 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Istanbul to Rize is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Rize will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £29.
On Thu 29 Oct, we found 4 buses from Istanbul to Rize, including 4 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 970 km distance in an average of 19 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 18 h 35 m .
The slowest buses will take 19 h 34 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.
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Buses from Istanbul to Rize run on average 4 times per day, taking around 19h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £26 but you can travel from only £25 by flight.
There are 4 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 11:00, the last at 19:30. The fastest coach covers the 970 km distance in 18h 34m.
Distance 970 km |
Average bus duration 19h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £26 |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 18h 34m |
First bus 11:00 |
Last bus 19:30 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Istanbul to Rize.
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Rize coaches for tomorrow, Thursday 29 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:01 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 19h34 | 6:35 Rize, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:21 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 19h14 | 6:35 Rize, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 18:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 18h55 | 12:55 Rize, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 18:20 İstanbul, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı | 18h35 | 12:55 Rize, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Rize — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rize trip today.
A compact museum presenting the story of tea growing and processing, a practical stop for understanding Rize’s signature crop and culture.
Rize’s main provincial museum, housed in a historic building with archaeological and ethnographic displays linked to local Black Sea life.
A restored traditional house museum showing domestic life, architecture and period furnishings from the wider Rize region.
A large botanical tea garden and viewpoint above the city, popular for walks, panoramas and seeing Rize’s landscape shaped by tea cultivation.
A scenic highland plateau famed for open meadows, summer festivals and cool mountain air, making it one of the region’s classic nature escapes.
A dramatic valley route lined with forests, rivers and village bridges, ideal for driving, short walks and discovering the inland Black Sea scenery.
Hamsili pilav is a Black Sea classic of anchovies layered with spiced rice and baked. It is strongly tied to regional fishing culture.
Muhlama, also called kuymak, is a rich dish of melted local cheese, butter and maize flour. It is a signature breakfast and comfort food in the region.
Laz böreği is a local pastry filled with milk custard and baked between thin layers of dough, then lightly sweetened. It is a famous Black Sea dessert.
Traditional Black Sea restaurant known for muhlama, hamsi dishes and pides in a simple local setting.
Established casual restaurant serving regional breakfasts, grilled meats and Black Sea specialities with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Well-known spot for Rize tea, local breakfast items and desserts, popular for a relaxed stop in the city.
Moderate for Turkey. Hotels and dining are usually affordable, while tourist-season rates and intercity transport can push costs above smaller inland towns.
Service is not always included. In restaurants, 5-10% is usual. Round up in cafés and taxis, or add a small cash tip for good service.
Official public transport app
Rize Bus Station -> 15 Temmuz Demokrasi ve Cumhuriyet Meydanı, Rize
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Rize 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 Rize, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Istanbul to Rize buses use the Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) to Rize, Otogar station pair. Use this guide to compare Istanbul and Rize bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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, 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.
Rize, Otogar is 1 km from Rize city centre. Public transport options include:
Rize, Otogar has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several small eateries and cafes nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at Rize, Otogar. ATMs are aTMs available within the station premises.
Ticket office support is available at Rize, Otogar.
Available at Rize, Otogar: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rize, Otogar: Wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Check bus stations information for Istanbul and Rize, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need