Category:Route to Istanbul

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Route to Istanbul

Many hitchhikers try to catch a ride with a truck-driver from Turkey on their way to Istanbul. They have to take breaks every three hours though, but they always stop at their common regular places, so you can ask upon arrival other drivers that are just about to departure.

Somebody has the exact times for trucks crossing the bridge in Istanbul? As far as I know they are not allowed to use the bridges between 8am-10am and 2pm-6pm(??).

From Belgrade, Nis

If you are departing from Nis and want to arrive in Istanbul, be aware that this route is 750 km long, with only 400km highway. If you are coming from Belgrade and you don't want to stay over in Nis you can hitch straight to Sofia from the last toll-stop just before arriving in Nis (stand after the toll-stop with your sign up).

The border between Serbia and Bulgaria does not have a lot of traffic. There are many trucks though but they are taking a separate border. You can walk into Bulgaria and stand where all traffic converges again.

If you get a ride to Sofia, you are likely to be dropped at the city-border at the West side with almost all traffic going to other directions then East (mostly towards Bucharest). You need to be at the other side of Sofia, you can try to make a stop on a petrol-station before you enter Sofia, try to hitch towards the west side (where the A1 starts), by using the road south, or take public transport. See for more info: Sofia.

From Sofia

From Sofia to Istanbul is not a straight road (yet). You take the A1 towards Plovdiv and from there most cars turn south (right) at Chirpan towards Svilengrad (Bulgaria) and Edirne (Turkey) at the Turkish/ Bulgarian border.

Just before the exit at Chirpan there is a 'hidden spot' where only Turkish truck-drivers come for a final meal and refreshment. This is their last stop before hitting the border. Eat with them, or wait outside. When Robino was there, he was requested to wait outside for the drivers. Ask the drivers personally for a ride to the border, from there you are better off taking a ride with a normal car as the trucks stop normally after the border for another break. Some 10 kilometers before the road to Svilengrad there is also a normal petrol-station.

From Bukarest, Ruse

Have a look at the Bukarest article for the spot towards Ruse. Easy to hitchhike. At the border, try to catch a ride or walk over the big bridge to the Bulgarian side. Might take you ~40 min. At the other side, many trucks will wait for you at the border checkpoint. Just at the end of the checkpoint trucks go out towards all Bulgaria. Of course you'll find many Turkish trucks going towards Istanbul. If you prefer cars, go this way: Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Stara Zagora. From here, you have several options towards Svilengrad, eather via Dimitrovgrad and Haskovo or the countryside (Galabovo, Simeonovgrad). Depends on what you like more. From V. Tarnovo to the border it might take you some 4-5 hours if you take the nice countryside route. Many Turkish trucks go this way. Hint: At the end of this way, just before you enter Harmanli, there's a TIR parking & restaurant with many Turkish trucks. Go get a cay there and ask the truck drivers.

Pages in category "Route to Istanbul"

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