Is the Istanbul to Plovdiv Bus posh or awful?
Aug 13th, 2015, 04:19 AM
#1
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Is the Istanbul to Plovdiv Bus posh or awful?
We plan to take the 7.5 hours bus ride from Istanbul to Plovdiv Bulgaria to see the countryside. Has anyone ridden this bus? The Metro website makes it look like a comfortable way to travel. Are the TVs on all the time or can we turn them down or off? Does the wifi work? Is the border crossing a long delay or is it smooth? Does the bus stop from time to time to let people stretch their legs or is this truly non-stop the whole ride? Is the driver dodging potholes for 7 hours or are the roads in good shape? The alternative is an early flight to Sofia and then another 2 hours on the road to Plovdiv. We'd prefer to see the sights if the busride is not awful
Aug 13th, 2015, 05:11 AM
#2
The Metro buses are quite comfortable, and the route in Turkey is mostly well-paved motorway.
I do not know the part in Bulgaria but most of your trip will be in Turkey. Since, your Bulgarian land route is almost the same if you fly, talking the bus may only mean a few extra hours but not necessarily any discomfort.
Talk to the Metro people about TV and rest stops before you board.
They usually have standard locations for rest and tea-food stops and will show you on your map if you have one handy.
If you cross at Kapikule, it may take longer than 30 minutes, the Northern border crossing will have a shorter wait but you still have to consider the time needed to check all passports even if there is not much car-bus traffic. Buses do not queue up with the lorries, (at least on the Turkish side)so that is an advantage.
I do not know the part in Bulgaria but most of your trip will be in Turkey. Since, your Bulgarian land route is almost the same if you fly, talking the bus may only mean a few extra hours but not necessarily any discomfort.
Talk to the Metro people about TV and rest stops before you board.
They usually have standard locations for rest and tea-food stops and will show you on your map if you have one handy.
If you cross at Kapikule, it may take longer than 30 minutes, the Northern border crossing will have a shorter wait but you still have to consider the time needed to check all passports even if there is not much car-bus traffic. Buses do not queue up with the lorries, (at least on the Turkish side)so that is an advantage.
Aug 13th, 2015, 05:26 AM
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The full-spec E80 from the Turkish border to Nis, in Serbia, is still under construction.
As I understand it, it's now open from the Turkish border to Dimitrovgrad, but the 60 or so km on to Plovdiv are still old road, and are a major corridor for trucks moving from Turkey to Western Europe.
There aren't necessarily potholes, but the road's nasty, congested and designed for the trivial traffic Soviet-era Bulgaria generated to handle protectionist-era trade with Turkey. Not for handling much of the EU's imports from its low-cost neighbours.
As I understand it, it's now open from the Turkish border to Dimitrovgrad, but the 60 or so km on to Plovdiv are still old road, and are a major corridor for trucks moving from Turkey to Western Europe.
There aren't necessarily potholes, but the road's nasty, congested and designed for the trivial traffic Soviet-era Bulgaria generated to handle protectionist-era trade with Turkey. Not for handling much of the EU's imports from its low-cost neighbours.
Aug 13th, 2015, 06:10 AM
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I took a bus from Plovdiv to Istanbul 3 years ago. It was what the British quaintly call a 'Rail Replacement Service' because the train line wasn't in operation. Took about 7-8 hours. This trip was overnight so I can't comment on the scenery. There were no rest stops. We were more than an hour at the border at 2 am getting Turkish visas but I believe the system has changed since and it may be faster with e visas. The bus was less comfortable than usual Turkish buses probably because it was very full: my experience with many buses in Turkey is that they are half empty and therefore quite comfortable. And yes, the road was as Flanner describes.
Aug 13th, 2015, 06:55 AM
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Thanks OC and others! I think we'll go for the bus. I think it will be more interesting and convenient than being at an airport at 5 a.m. for a 7 am flight and since a cross country train isn't appearing to be a viable alternative. We'll be meeting someone in PDV, also, so the bus is also more direct. I'll report back my impressions after the trip is concluded (late October).
Sep 15th, 2015, 09:19 AM
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I think you've made the right choice.
I took the Metro bus from Burgas (bulgaria) to Istanbul in May this year.
Wifi is not great but it works at some points.
TV you are in control of just like on the plane.
The comfort of the bus depends on the model of the bus, if you get a new one happy days, I used metro for many long distant journeys when in Turkey (inc. overnighters) and they were ok.
They run a complimentary trolly service for tea/coffee/juice and little biscuits and will stop a couple of times on route at service stations.
Border crossing isn't bad, everyone off the bus, quickly through passport control/visa check if applicable, luggage through scanners and back on the bus at the other side, from memory didn't take longer than 40 minutes with a full bus.
The worse part of the journey is actually when you get close to istanbul as traffic here is extremely heavy, you are so close to the destination and the traffic starts to really slow down!!
I took the Metro bus from Burgas (bulgaria) to Istanbul in May this year.
Wifi is not great but it works at some points.
TV you are in control of just like on the plane.
The comfort of the bus depends on the model of the bus, if you get a new one happy days, I used metro for many long distant journeys when in Turkey (inc. overnighters) and they were ok.
They run a complimentary trolly service for tea/coffee/juice and little biscuits and will stop a couple of times on route at service stations.
Border crossing isn't bad, everyone off the bus, quickly through passport control/visa check if applicable, luggage through scanners and back on the bus at the other side, from memory didn't take longer than 40 minutes with a full bus.
The worse part of the journey is actually when you get close to istanbul as traffic here is extremely heavy, you are so close to the destination and the traffic starts to really slow down!!
Oct 16th, 2015, 11:52 AM
#7
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Reporting back: the bus from Istanbul to Plovdiv is a comfortable bus. The route across Bulgaria is flat flat farmland. The border crossings accounted for 2.5 hours of the 7.5 hour bus ride. There is no bathroom on the bus but it makes a stop after the first 1.5-2 hours then again at the border. BTW the Istanbul bus station WC is a hole in the floor to squat over. Be forewarned and bring to if you really need to go before you get on the bus.
