How to get from Budapest to Istanbul
- 1062 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: flight, 2h 15m
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
28h 46m
1 transfer
Bus
€112
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 23 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Budapest to Istanbul. The most useful door-to-door route takes 28h 46m by bus, 1 transfer. The two cities are about 1062 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €49, on Thu, Sep 17.
This fare comes from a search on September 17, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
1062 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €37Checked Sep 20 | 2h 15mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €220Older observation | 46h 24m4 transfers | See Train details |
| Bus | €74Omio catalogue, Sep 23 | 28h 46m1 transfer | See Bus details |
- Flight€37Checked Sep 202h 15m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€220Older observation46h 24m · 4 transfersSee Train details
- Bus€74Omio catalogue, Sep 2328h 46m · 1 transferSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Budapest to Istanbul: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Budapest → Haskovobus
ArdaTur·16h 56m - 2Haskovo → IstanbulbusArdaTur·6h 45m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Budapest to Istanbul
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€37Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 25h 55m€74Book
Omio last refreshed these on Wed, Sep 23
Operators seen on these journeys
ArdaTurBudapest-Haskovo, Haskovo-IstanbulBook →
Wizz AirBudapest Ferenc Liszt-Istanbul AirportSee live options and dates →
FlixBusBudapest-Bucharest Airport Henri CoandaBook →City transitBucharest Airport Henri Coanda-BucharestBook →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Bucharest-ÇerkezköyBook →Lüks Aksel SeyahatÇerkezköy-YalovaBook →
İDOYalova-IstanbulBook →On this route you travel with ArdaTur, Wizz Air, FlixBus, City transit, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Lüks Aksel Seyahat, İDO; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Budapest to Istanbul works
Start with a ArdaTur bus from Budapest to Haskovo, about 16h 56m. Transfer in Haskovo and continue by ArdaTur bus on to Istanbul (6h 45m). In total it's roughly €112 over 28h 46m, 1 transfer.
Budapest to Istanbul: common questions
How long does it take to get from Budapest to Istanbul?
The most useful route takes about 28h 46m by bus, 1 transfer.
Is there a bus from Budapest to Istanbul?
Our route search found a bus option, but we hold no verified timetable for this route yet. Check the operator's own timetable for departure times.
How far is Istanbul from Budapest?
About 1062 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Budapest to Istanbul cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €61 to €112. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Which operators run Budapest to Istanbul?
On this route you travel with ArdaTur, Wizz Air, FlixBus, City transit, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Lüks Aksel Seyahat, İDO.
Can you get from Budapest to Istanbul without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 25h 55m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Budapest to Istanbul?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Related links
Flying instead? Budapest to Istanbul flight prices€37Other ways people search Budapest to Istanbul
- how to get from Budapest to Istanbul
- Budapest to Istanbul travel time
- Budapest to Istanbul distance
- cheapest way from Budapest to Istanbul
- Budapest to Istanbul by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: ArdaTur
Route calculated: 23 Sep 2026
Prices checked: 17 Sep 2026