There are 6 ways to get from Sofia to Constantinople 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 Sofia to Istanbul Esenler
7h₺1,200Train
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalı
12h 31m₺680–3,744Drive 550.4 km
- Drive from Sofia to Constantinople550.4 km
5h 2m₺3,680–5,315Fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)SOF - SAW
- Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi
4h 54mBus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük OtogariCitylines 40 / ...
8h 30m₺1,200–1,500Fly to Istanbul
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)SOF - IST
5h 39m₺3,795–10,345
Sofia to Constantinople by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Constantinople is to bus which costs 1.200 ₺ and takes 7h.
The fastest way to get from Sofia to Constantinople is to drive which takes 5h 2m and costs 3.600 ₺ - 5.500 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Sofia and arriving at Istanbul Esenler. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h.
No, there is no direct train from Sofia to Constantinople. However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Sirkeci via Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 31m.
The distance between Sofia and Constantinople is 560 km. The road distance is 550.4 km.
The best way to get from Sofia to Constantinople without a car is to bus which takes 7h and costs 1.200 ₺.
The bus from Sofia to Istanbul Esenler takes 7h including transfers and departs once daily.
Sofia to Constantinople bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, depart from Sofia station.
Sofia to Constantinople train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Sofia station.
The best way to get from Sofia to Constantinople is to bus which takes 7h and costs 1.200 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 650 ₺ - 3.800 ₺ and takes 12h 31m, you could also fly, which costs 3.800 ₺ - 11.000 ₺ and takes 5h 39m.
What companies run services between Sofia, Bulgaria and Constantinople, Turkey?
Luks Yonca operates a bus from Sofia to Istanbul Esenler once daily. Tickets cost ₺1,200 and the journey takes 7h. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Sofia to Halkalı once daily. Tickets cost ₺650–3,694 and the journey takes 11h 49m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,000–10,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,600–10,000
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Wednesday to Friday
- Estimated price
- ₺3,000–10,000
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺4,400–11,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- yolcudairesi@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺650–3,694
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺2,050
- Single Room
- ₺3,694
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,803
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- 0545 792 30 02
- info@luksyonca.com.tr
- Website
- luksyonca.com.tr
Bus from Sofia to Istanbul Esenler
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200
- Schedules at
- polazak.rs
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,600–2,200
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 51m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,600–2,200
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,500
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/
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More Questions & Answers
Sofia to Constantinople bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Istanbul Esenler station.
Sofia to Constantinople train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Halkalı station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sofia to Constantinople is 550 km. It takes approximately 5h 2m to drive from Sofia to Constantinople.
There are 3215+ hotels available in Constantinople.





















