There are 6 ways to get from Istanbul (State) 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 to Istanbul, fly
best- Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
4h 45mTrain
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 12m$15–24Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler to Sofiabus
8h 34m$29Drive 546.7 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Sofiacar 546.7 km
4h 57m$87–125Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
- 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 28mBus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus FlixBus N1999
9h 43m$17–40
Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia is to train which costs $14 - $24 and takes 15h 12m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia is to drive which takes 4h 57m and costs $85 - $130.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul (State) to Sofia. 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 Sofia. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Sofia via Halkalı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 12m.
The distance between Istanbul (State) and Sofia is 523 km. The road distance is 546.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia without a car is to bus which takes 8h 34m and costs $29.
It takes approximately 4h 45m to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia, including transfers.
Istanbul (State) to Sofia bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, depart from Istanbul Esenler station.
Istanbul (State) to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia is to bus which takes 8h 34m and costs $29. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $14 - $24 and takes 15h 12m.
What companies run services between Istanbul (State), Turkey and Sofia, 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 $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 Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Huzurevi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 28 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
- 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
- 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/
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to travel India's Golden Triangle, Getting to Milan from the airport, and Italian Lakes: Getting around by train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Istanbul (State) to Sofia bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Sofia station.
Sofia is 1h behind Istanbul (State). It is currently 6:11 PM in Istanbul (State) and 5:11 PM in Sofia.
Istanbul (State) to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul (State) to Sofia is 547 km. It takes approximately 4h 57m to drive from Istanbul (State) to Sofia.
There are 2165+ hotels available in Sofia.