There are 8 ways to get from Istanbul 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 Sofia
7h 37m$29Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofia
15h 26m$17–26Drive 546.7 km
- Drive from Istanbul to Sofia546.7 km
4h 55m$87–125Bus to Istanbul, fly to Sofia Airport
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Bus
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)IST - SOF
5h 23m$89–226Bus via İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to SofiaFlixBus N1999
8h 30m$18–45Bus via Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus StationCitylines 19 / ...
9h 7m$30–34Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly to Sofia Airport
- Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)SAW - SOF
5h 25mBus to Istanbul, fly to Varna Airport
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Bus
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)IST - VAR
5h 27m$213–435
Istanbul to Bulgaria by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Bulgaria is to train which costs $16 - $26 and takes 15h 26m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Bulgaria is to drive which takes 4h 55m and costs $85 - $130.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from İstanbul Esenler bus station station and arriving at Sofia. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul 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 and Bulgaria is 570 km. The road distance is 546.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Bulgaria without a car is to bus which takes 7h 37m and costs $29.
It takes approximately 7h 37m to get from Istanbul to Bulgaria, including transfers.
Istanbul to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, depart from İstanbul Esenler bus station.
Istanbul to Bulgaria train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Bulgaria is to bus which takes 7h 37m and costs $29. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $16 - $26 and takes 15h 26m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, 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
- $70–210
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 Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 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
- 0850 888 33 34
- info@hava.ist
- Website
- hava.ist
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Bus
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $3–5
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=en
- 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
- $18–25
- 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
- $29–45
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- 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
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 get from London to Edinburgh, South Korea: Travelling from Seoul to Busan , and Need to know: Eurostar - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, arrive at Sofia station.
Bulgaria is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 8:38 AM in Istanbul and 7:38 AM in Bulgaria.
Istanbul to Bulgaria train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Bulgaria is 547 km. It takes approximately 4h 55m to drive from Istanbul to Bulgaria.
Book your Istanbul to Bulgaria bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 2094+ hotels available in Bulgaria.