There are 7 ways to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) by bus, train, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Sofia Central Bus Station to Istanbul Esenlerbus
7h 9m₺1,240Train
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
13h 30m₺806–4,072Drive 546.4 km
- Drive from Sofia to Istanbulcar 546.4 km
4h 56m₺3,934–5,682Fly Varna Airport to Istanbul, Metro
- Fly from Varna Airport (VAR) to Istanbul (IST)plane VAR - IST
- Take the train from Gayrettepe to Veznecilertrain
4h 42m₺10,673–25,635Bus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus Citylines 40 / ...
9h 19m₺1,269–1,569Fly Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane SOF - SAW
- Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Huzurevitrain
4h 39m₺5,069–32,069Fly Sofia Airport to Istanbul, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)plane SOF - IST
- Take the train from Gayrettepe to Veznecilertrain
5h 18m₺4,811–11,111
Varna Airport (VAR) to Istanbul (IST) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) is to bus which costs 1.240 ₺ and takes 7h 9m.
The fastest way to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) is to fly and Metro which takes 4h 39m and costs 5.000 ₺ - 33.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Bulgaria station to Istanbul (State). However, there are services departing from Sofia Central Bus Station and arriving at Yenikapı Sahil via Çatladıkapı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 9m.
No, there is no direct train from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State). However, there are services departing from Serdika and arriving at Yenikapi via Sofia and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 30m.
The distance between Bulgaria and Istanbul (State) is 568 km. The road distance is 546.4 km.
The best way to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) without a car is to bus which takes 7h 9m and costs 1.240 ₺.
It takes approximately 7h 9m to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State), including transfers.
Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, depart from Sofia Central Bus Station.
Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Sofia station.
The best way to get from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) is to bus which takes 7h 9m and costs 1.240 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 800 ₺ - 4.100 ₺ and takes 13h 30m.
What companies run services between Bulgaria and Istanbul (State), Turkey?
Luks Yonca operates a bus from Sofia Central Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler once daily. Tickets cost ₺1,200 and the journey takes 7h. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Sofia to Halkalı once daily. Tickets cost ₺750–3,969 and the journey takes 11h 49m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Varna Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺8,000–19,000
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,500–11,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–11,000
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺5,000–13,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–3,969
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺2,203
- Single Room
- ₺3,969
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,937
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Gayrettepe to Vezneciler
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Huzurevi
- Ave. Duration
- 27 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Sofia Central Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200
- Schedules at
- luksyonca.com.tr
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,300
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 51m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,200–3,500
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.fr
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,100–3,600
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,500
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/?l=EN
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More Questions & Answers
Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Istanbul Esenler station.
Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Halkalı station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bulgaria to Istanbul (State) is 546 km. It takes approximately 4h 56m to drive from Bulgaria to Istanbul (State).
There are 3073+ hotels available in Istanbul (State).