There are 6 ways to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) 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 Esenlerbus
7h 9m₺1,240Train
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
12h 27m₺677–3,859Drive 546.4 km
- Drive from Sofia to Istanbulcar 546.4 km
4h 57m₺3,824–5,523Fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
- 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 18mBus via Esenler Otogar
- Take the bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus stationbus FlixBus N1999
8h 16m₺750–1,800Fly to Istanbul, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)plane SOF - IST
- Take the train from Gayrettepe to Veznecilertrain
4h 58m
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) is to bus which costs 1.240 ₺ and takes 7h 9m.
The fastest way to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State) is to drive which takes 4h 57m and costs 3.800 ₺ - 5.500 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Sofia to Istanbul (State). However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Yenikapı Sahil via Çatladıkapı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 9m.
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 569 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 7h 9m and costs 1.240 ₺.
It takes approximately 7h 9m to get from Sofia to Istanbul (State), including transfers.
Sofia to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, 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 7h 9m and costs 1.240 ₺. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 650 ₺ - 3.900 ₺ and takes 12h 27m.
What companies run services between Sofia, Bulgaria and Istanbul (State), 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 ₺650–3,815 and the journey takes 11h 49m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,500–8,500
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺3,500–13,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,500–11,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺650–3,815
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺2,117
- Single Room
- ₺3,815
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,861
- 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
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Gayrettepe to Vezneciler
- Ave. Duration
- 16 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
- luksyonca.com.tr
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,800
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
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More Questions & Answers
Sofia to Istanbul (State) bus services, operated by Luks Yonca, arrive at Istanbul Esenler station.
Istanbul (State) is 1h ahead of Sofia. It is currently 4:57 PM in Sofia and 5:57 PM in Istanbul (State).
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 57m to drive from Sofia to Istanbul (State).
There are 4109+ hotels available in Istanbul (State).
























