There are 6 ways to get from Instabul to Sofia by train, plane, 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.
Metro, Metro to Istanbul, fly
best- Take the train from Esenler Otogar to Yenikapitrain
- Take the train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepetrain
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
5h 4mTrain
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 34m$15–24Bus
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus N1999
8h 30m$17–40Drive 541.4 km
- Drive from Instabul to Sofiacar 541.4 km
4h 51m$86–124Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane SAW - SOF
5h 28mBus via Bayrampaşa
- Take the bus from Bayrampaşa to Sofiabus
10h 41m$16–43
Instabul to Sofia by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Instabul to Sofia is to train which costs $14 - $24 and takes 15h 34m.
The fastest way to get from Instabul to Sofia is to drive which takes 4h 51m and costs $85 - $130.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from İstanbul Esenler bus station station and arriving at Sofia. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Instabul to Sofia. However, there are services departing from Esenler Otogar and arriving at Sofia via Yenikapi and Halkalı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 34m.
The distance between Instabul and Sofia is 532 km. The road distance is 541.4 km.
The best way to get from Instabul to Sofia without a car is to bus which takes 8h 30m and costs $17 - $40.
It takes approximately 5h 4m to get from Instabul to Sofia, including transfers.
Instabul to Sofia bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from İstanbul Esenler bus station.
Instabul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Instabul to Sofia is to bus which takes 8h 30m and costs $17 - $40. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $14 - $24 and takes 15h 34m.
What companies run services between Instabul, Turkey and Sofia, Bulgaria?
FlixBus operates a bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia twice daily. Tickets cost $40–75 and the journey takes 8h 30m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $14–23 and the journey takes 13h 40m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–190
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Esenler Otogar to Yenikapi
- Ave. Duration
- 15 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepe
- Ave. Duration
- 17 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Halkalı to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $14–23
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $40–75
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $17–24
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28–40
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Bayrampaşa to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–43
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- $16–20
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Related travel guides
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Instabul to Sofia bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Sofia station.
Sofia is 1h ahead of Instabul. It is currently 11:14 PM in Instabul and 12:14 AM in Sofia.
Instabul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Instabul to Sofia is 541 km. It takes approximately 4h 51m to drive from Instabul to Sofia.
Book your Instabul to Sofia bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
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