There are 5 ways to get from Istanbul to Sofia by bus, plane, train, 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.
Bus to Istanbul, fly
best- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Busbus
- Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
5h 23m$89–217Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 19m$16–24Bus
- Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 19 / ...
9h$18–45Drive 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 Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane SAW - SOF
5h 25m
Istanbul to Sofia by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Sofia is to train which costs $15 - $24 and takes 15h 19m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Sofia is to drive which takes 4h 57m and costs $85 - $130.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Istanbul Büyük Otogari and arriving at Sofia Serdica Bus Station station. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul 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 and Sofia is 530 km. The road distance is 546.7 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Sofia without a car is to bus which takes 9h and costs $18 - $45.
It takes approximately 5h 23m to get from Istanbul to Sofia, including transfers.
Istanbul to Sofia bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Istanbul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul to Sofia is to bus which takes 9h and costs $18 - $45. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $15 - $24 and takes 15h 19m.
What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Sofia, Bulgaria?
Citylines operates a bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station 4 times a day. Tickets cost $35–50 and the journey takes 9h. Six other operators also service this route. 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
- +90 444 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
- +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
- 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
- $3–7
- Website
- https://hava.ist/?lang=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
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–25
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $39–40
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28
- Schedules at
- luksyonca.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- 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 Bulgaria
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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More Questions & Answers
Istanbul to Sofia bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Sofia Serdica Bus Station.
Sofia is 1h behind Istanbul. It is currently 2:24 AM in Istanbul and 1:24 AM in Sofia.
Istanbul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Sofia is 547 km. It takes approximately 4h 57m to drive from Istanbul to Sofia.
Book your Istanbul to Sofia bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
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