There are 5 ways to get from Athens to Sofia by plane, train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane ATH - SOF
4h 50m$71–181Bus via Thessaloníki
cheapest- Take the bus from Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL to Thessaloniki Monastirioubus
- Take the bus from Thessaloniki train station to Sofiabus N980
12h$31–89Train, bus
- Take the train from Athens to Thessalonikitrain Ic
- Take the bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 80
10h 57m$44–61Bus
- Take the bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 80 / ...
11h 45m$79Drive 762.2 km
- Drive from Athens to Sofiacar 762.2 km
8h 33m$160–231
Athens to Sofia by train and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Sofia is to train and bus which costs $40 - $65 and takes 10h 57m.
The fastest way to get from Athens to Sofia is to fly which takes 4h 50m and costs $70 - $190.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Athens Karolou and arriving at Sofia Serdica Bus Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 11h 45m.
The distance between Athens and Sofia is 580 km. The road distance is 762.2 km.
The best way to get from Athens to Sofia without a car is to train and bus which takes 10h 57m and costs $40 - $65.
It takes approximately 4h 50m to get from Athens to Sofia, including transfers.
Athens to Sofia bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Athens Karolou station.
The best way to get from Athens to Sofia is to fly which takes 4h 50m and costs $70 - $190. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $79 and takes 11h 45m.
Athens to Sofia bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Sofia Serdica Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Athens to Sofia is 762 km. It takes approximately 8h 33m to drive from Athens to Sofia.
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Sofia, Bulgaria?
Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Bulgaria Air fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sofia Airport (SOF) twice daily. Alternatively, Citylines operates a bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $50–75 and the journey takes 11h 45m. Tourist Service Holding AD also services this route 3 times a week.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–150
- Website
- air.bg
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–150
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $50–150
- Phone
- 14511
- Website
- hellenictrain.gr
Train from Athens to Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 12m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $25–40
- Website
- https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–26
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
Bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- 02 981 13 33
- outgoing@tourist-service.com
- Website
- en.tourist-service.com
Bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $79
- Website
- https://en.tourist-service.com/
- Phone
- +30 2310 500111
- ktel2310@gmail.com
- Website
- ktelthes.gr
Bus from Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL to Thessaloniki Monastiriou
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–50
- Schedules at
- ktelthes.gr
- Book at
- ktelthes.e-ticketing.gr
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Thessaloniki train station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $21–40
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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