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
5h 5mTrain
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 19m$16–24Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler to Sofiabus
8h 45m$28Drive 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 48mBus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 19 / ...
10h 13m$28–33
Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia is to train which costs $15 - $24 and takes 15h 19m.
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 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 19m.
The distance between Istanbul (State) and Sofia is 527 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 45m and costs $28.
It takes approximately 5h 5m to get from Istanbul (State) to Sofia, including transfers.
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 45m and costs $28. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $15 - $24 and takes 15h 19m.
Sofia is 1h behind Istanbul (State). It is currently 1:11 AM in Istanbul (State) and 12:11 AM in Sofia.
Istanbul (State) to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
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 $15–23 and the journey takes 13h 40m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–210
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–230
- 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
- $15–23
- 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
- +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
- $28–33
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/?l=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 plan an amazing trip around Scandinavia, How to get from London to Edinburgh, and Train travel in France: A guide to SNCF - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
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 2100+ hotels available in Sofia.