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How to get fromInstabul to Bulgariaby train, plane, bus, car or shuttle

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There are 8 ways to get from Instabul to Bulgaria by train, plane, bus, car, or shuttle

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Metro, Metro to Istanbul, fly to Sofia Airport

    best
    1. Take the train from Esenler Otogar to Yenikapitrain train
    2. Take the train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepetrain train
    3. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    5h 4m

  2. Train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    15h 41m
    $16–25

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus bus N1999
    8h 30m
    $40–75

  4. Drive 541.4 km

    1. Drive from Instabul to Sofiacar car 541.4 km
    4h 51m
    $86–124

  5. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    5h 28m

  6. Metro, Metro to Istanbul, fly to Varna Airport

    1. Take the train from Esenler Otogar to Yenikapitrain train
    2. Take the train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepetrain train
    3. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane plane IST - VAR
    5h 23m

  7. Fly Istanbul to Bucharest Otopeni, shuttle

    1. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)plane plane IST - OTP
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Ruseshuttle bus
    6h 31m
    $192–461

  8. Bus via Serdika

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus bus FlixBus N1999
    8h 37m
    $18–41

Instabul to Bulgaria by bus

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration8h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$40Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Instabul, Turkey and Bulgaria?

FlixBus operates a bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia twice daily. Tickets cost $40–75 and the journey takes 8h 30m. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $14–23 and the journey takes 13h 40m.

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Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria

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