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How to get fromTurkey to Bulgariaby train, plane, bus, or car

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There are 9 ways to get from Turkey to Bulgaria by train, plane, 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.

  1. Metro to Istanbul Airport, fly to Sofia Airport

    best
    1. Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    5h 7m
    $83–283

  2. Train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    15h 19m
    $16–23

  3. Bus via Haskovo

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Haskovo to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    9h 15m
    $23–42

  4. Drive  546.7 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Sofiacar car 546.7 km
    4h 55m
    $90–129

  5. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    5h 22m
    $113–353

  6. Metro to Istanbul Airport, fly to Varna Airport

    1. Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane plane IST - VAR
    5h 9m
    $207–482

  7. Fly Istanbul Airport to Bucharest Otopeni, train

    1. Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)plane plane IST - OTP
    2. Take the train from Bucuresti Nord to Rusetrain train
    8h 35m
    $71–272

  8. Bus

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus bus FlixBus N1999
    10h
    $16–41

  9. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus bus Citylines 19 / ...
    10h 20m
    $26–42

Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 18mAverage Duration
Ticket$79Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Turkey to Bulgaria.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 527.4 km
  • Duration: 5h 7m

What companies run services between Turkey and Bulgaria?

You can take a train from Aksaray to Serdika via Esenler Otogar, Istanbul, Haskovo, Sofia Central Bus Station, and Central Station in around 9h 15m. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $14–20 and the journey takes 13h 40m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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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