There are 6 ways to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) by plane, train, 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.
Fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
best- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane SOF - SAW
- Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Huzurevitrain
4h 18m₺6,201–18,188Train
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
12h 27m₺783–4,156Bus
- Take the bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus stationbus FlixBus N1999
8h 16m₺817–1,897Drive 546.4 km
- Drive from Sofia to Istanbulcar 546.4 km
4h 56m₺4,251–6,140Fly to Istanbul, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)plane SOF - IST
- Take the train from Gayrettepe to Veznecilertrain
4h 58m₺4,314–12,904Bus via Bayrampaşa Devlet Hastanesi
- Take the bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus Citylines 40 / ...
8h 44m₺1,289–1,960
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) is to bus which costs 800 ₺ - 1.900 ₺ and takes 8h 16m.
The fastest way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) is to fly and Metro which takes 4h 18m and costs 6.000 ₺ - 19.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Sofia to Istanbul (State) station. However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at İstanbul Esenler bus station via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 16m.
No, there is no direct train from Sofia to Istanbul (State). However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Yenikapi via Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 27m.
The distance between Sofia and Istanbul (State) is 559 km. The road distance is 546.4 km.
The best way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) without a car is to bus which takes 8h 16m and costs 800 ₺ - 1.900 ₺.
It takes approximately 4h 18m to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State), including transfers.
Sofia to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, depart from Sofia station.
Sofia to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Sofia station.
The best way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) is to bus which takes 8h 16m and costs 800 ₺ - 1.900 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 750 ₺ - 4.200 ₺ and takes 12h 27m.
What companies run services between Sofia, Bulgaria and Istanbul (State), Turkey?
Kamil Koç operates a bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station twice daily. Tickets cost ₺750–1,100 and the journey takes 8h. Alpar Turizm also services this route once daily. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Sofia to Halkalı once daily. Tickets cost ₺750–4,112 and the journey takes 11h 49m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,200–13,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺2,100–14,000
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺5,000–16,000
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- info@metro.istanbul
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Huzurevi
- Ave. Duration
- 27 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Gayrettepe to Vezneciler
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
#/media/File:M5_K%C4%B1s%C4%B1kl%C4%B1_Metro_%C4%B0stasyonu.jpg "Uskudar-Cekmekoy Metro train")
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,112
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Double Room
- ₺2,282
- Single Room
- ₺4,112
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,006
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- Kamil Koç
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Schedules at
- Kamil Koç
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,900
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,400
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,500–3,900
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 51m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺4,029
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- info@huntur.com.tr
- Website
- Huntur
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 54m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,900
- Website
- Huntur
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
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.
Related travel guides
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Sofia to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, arrive at İstanbul Esenler bus station.
Sofia to Istanbul (State) train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Halkalı station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sofia to Istanbul (State) is 546 km. It takes approximately 4h 56m to drive from Sofia to Istanbul (State).
There are 4294+ hotels available in Istanbul (State).