There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria 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 Istanbul Esenler to Sofiabus
8h 34m$29Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 26m$17–26Drive 546.7 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Sofiacar 546.7 km
4h 57m$87–125Fly Istanbul to Sofia Airport
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
5h 8m$89–218Bus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 19 / ...
10h 20m$30–34Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly to Sofia Airport
- Take the train from Huzurevi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane SAW - SOF
4h 48mFly Istanbul to Varna Airport
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane IST - VAR
5h 12m$218–457
Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria is to train which costs $16 - $26 and takes 15h 26m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria is to drive which takes 4h 57m and costs $85 - $130.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria. However, there are services departing from Yenikapı Sahil and arriving at Sofia via Istanbul Esenler. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 34m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Serdika via Halkalı and Central Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 26m.
The distance between Istanbul (State) and Bulgaria is 569 km. The road distance is 546.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria without a car is to bus which takes 8h 34m and costs $29.
It takes approximately 8h 34m to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria, including transfers.
Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, depart from Istanbul Esenler station.
Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria is to bus which takes 8h 34m and costs $29. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $16 - $26 and takes 15h 26m, you could also fly, which costs $85 - $220 and takes 5h 8m.
What companies run services between Istanbul (State), Turkey and Bulgaria?
Luks Yonca operates a bus from Istanbul Esenler to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $28 and the journey takes 7h 30m. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $15–24 and the journey takes 13h 40m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–190
Flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–280
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–220
- 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
- $15–24
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Huzurevi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 28 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Esenler to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28
- Schedules at
- luksyonca.com.tr
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $29–33
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/?l=EN
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More Questions & Answers
Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Sofia station.
Bulgaria is 1h behind Istanbul (State). It is currently 9:24 PM in Istanbul (State) and 8:24 PM in Bulgaria.
Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria is 547 km. It takes approximately 4h 57m to drive from Istanbul (State) to Bulgaria.
There are 2107+ hotels available in Bulgaria.















