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How to get fromIstanbul to Sofiaby train, plane, bus, or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Istanbul to Sofia 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, fly

    best
    1. Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    4h 43m
    $102–252

  2. Train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    15h 12m
    $16–24

  3. Bus via Haskovo

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Haskovo Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus Group Plus 1705 / ...
    8h
    $34–50

  4. Drive 546.7 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Sofiacar car 546.7 km
    4h 56m
    $87–125

  5. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly

    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 4m
    $132–702

  6. Bus to Burgas Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Burgasbus bus
    2. Fly from Burgas Airport (BOJ) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane BOJ - SOF
    8h 2m
    $100–266

  7. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus bus Citylines 19 / ...
    9h
    $16–40

  8. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Bayrampaşa to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    11h 29m
    $31–51

Istanbul to Sofia by bus

Calendar86Weekly Buses
Duration9hAverage Duration
Ticket$16Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Sofia, Bulgaria?

You can take a bus from Istanbul to Sofia Central Bus Station via Haskovo Central Bus Station in around 8h. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $15–22 and the journey takes 13h 40m.

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