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How to Travel from

Istanbul to Sofia

by Plane, Rideshare, Route or Car

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Cheapest
Best Offer!
Car
5 h 11 min
547 km.
from $30
Composite Route Car Only

Eleven ways to Travel from Istanbul to Sofia

Select an Option Below to Start Your Journey
Cheapest
By car (547 km)
5 h 11 min
547 km.
from $30
Fastest
Plane to Sofia
Select a ticket
Other
Rideshare
5 h 11 min
547 km.
from $7.13
Bus via Plovdiv
10 h 5 min
464 km.
from $41.20
Plane, Train (Fly from Istanbul)
7 h 15 min
464 km.
from $235.41
Bus
10 h 13 min
464 km.
Bus, Train
10 h 50 min
463 km.
from $24.38
Plane, Train (Fly from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport)
7 h 45 min
464 km.
from $178.33
Train, Plane (Metro to Istanbul)
5 h 10 min
500 km.
from $153.72
Train, Plane (Train to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport)
5 h 40 min
500 km.
from $133.15
Train, Plane (Metro to Istanbul)
5 h 10 min
502 km.
from $153.72

Transport providers

Bus operators

FlixBus

Phone:
+49 30 300 137 300
Email:
Website:
flixbus.com
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Plovdiv
Ave. Duration:
6h 45m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$39.49–$56.05

Citylines

Phone:
+3590885700870
Email:
Website:
citylines.eu/
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$31.85–$42.04
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Plovdiv
Ave. Duration:
6h 25m
Frequency:
5 times a day
Estimated price:
$24.20–$33.12
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$34.39–$45.86

Alpar Turizm

Phone:
+90 212 658 18 51
Email:
Website:
alparturizm.com.tr/en/
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$24.20–$38.22
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Plovdiv
Ave. Duration:
6h 45m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$17.83–$31.85

Kamil Koc

Phone:
444 0 562
Email:
Website:
flixbus.com
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$15.29–$21.66
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Plovdiv
Ave. Duration:
6h 45m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$14.01–$19.11

Arda Tur

Phone:
0700 20 544
Website:
ardatur.bg
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h 30m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$34.39–$48.41
Bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Plovdiv
Ave. Duration:
6h 40m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$25.48–$35.67
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
9h
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$36.94–$53.50

Metro Turizm

Phone:
0850 222 34 55
Email:
Website:
metroturizm.com.tr/en
Bus from Bayrampaşa to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
8h 44m
Frequency:
3 times a day
Estimated price:
$16.56–$31.85

Huntur

Phone:
+90 212 658 00 61
Email:
Website:
huntur.com.tr/
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
10h
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$38.22–$44.59

Kyustendil Municipality Transport

Phone:
+359 7855 0204
Email:
Website:
kyustendil.bg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=319&Itemid=273&lang=bg
Bus from Plovdiv to Samokov
Ave. Duration:
2h 28m
Frequency:
Once daily

Samokov Bus

Phone:
0722 60019
Email:
Website:
samokov-info.com
Bus from Plovdiv to Samokov
Ave. Duration:
2h 40m
Frequency:
4 times a day
Estimated price:
$6.24–$9.55

Airlines

Pegasus Airlines

Website:
flypgs.com/
Plane from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
1h 35m
Frequency:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
Estimated price:
$58.60–$280.25

Turkish Airlines

Website:
turkishairlines.com/
Plane from Istanbul to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
1h 20m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$152.86–$407.64

Train operators

Turkish Railways (TCDD)

Phone:
+90 444 8 233
Email:
Website:
tcdd.gov.tr/
Train from Halkalı to Sofia
Ave. Duration:
14h 40m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$5.86–$8.28
Train from Yenikapi to Ayrilikcesme
Ave. Duration:
14 min
Frequency:
Every 15 minutes
Estimated price:
$1.66–$2.42

Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)

Phone:
+35929311111
Website:
bdz.bg/en
Train from Halkali to Svilengrad
Ave. Duration:
4h 40m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$7.01–$12.10
Train from Svilengrad to Kostenets
Ave. Duration:
3h 10m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$6.24–$10.83
Train from Iskarsko Shose to Kostenets
Ave. Duration:
1h 32m
Frequency:
Hourly
Estimated price:
$2.68–$5.99
Train from Plovdiv to Kostenets
Ave. Duration:
1h 5m
Frequency:
Every 2 hours
Estimated price:
$3.06–$6.37

Istanbul Ulasim

Phone:
+90 850 252 88 00
Email:
Website:
metro.istanbul/
Train from Otogar to Yenikapi
Ave. Duration:
15 min
Frequency:
Every 10 minutes
Estimated price:
$0.48
Train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepe
Ave. Duration:
17 min
Frequency:
Every 10 minutes
Estimated price:
$0.48
Train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
Ave. Duration:
16 min
Frequency:
Every 10 minutes
Estimated price:
$0.48

Questions and Answers

What is the cheapest way to get from İstanbul to Sofia?

The cheapest way to get from İstanbul to Sofia is to train which costs $6.52 - $9.78 and takes 16h 34m.

What is the fastest way to get from İstanbul to Sofia?

The fastest way to get from İstanbul to Sofia is to drive which takes 5h 7m and costs $81.52 - $130.43 .

Is there a direct bus between İstanbul and Sofia?

Yes, there is a direct bus departing from İstanbul Esenler bus station station and arriving at Sofia. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h.

Is there a direct train between İstanbul and Sofia?

No, there is no direct train from İstanbul to Sofia. However, there are services departing from Otogar and arriving at Sofia via Yenikapi and Halkalı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 16h 34m.

How far is it from İstanbul to Sofia?

The distance between İstanbul and Sofia is 558 km. The road distance is 541.4 km.

How do I travel from İstanbul to Sofia without a car?

The best way to get from İstanbul to Sofia without a car is to bus which takes 9h and costs $13.04 - $38.04 .

How long does it take to get from İstanbul to Sofia?

The bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia takes 9h including transfers and departs five times a day.

Where do I catch the İstanbul to Sofia bus from?

İstanbul to Sofia bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, depart from İstanbul Esenler bus station.

Where do I catch the İstanbul to Sofia train from?

İstanbul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.

Train or bus from İstanbul to Sofia?

The best way to get from İstanbul to Sofia is to bus which takes 9h and costs $13.04 - $38.04 . Alternatively, you can train, which costs $6.52 - $9.78 and takes 16h 34m.

Where does the İstanbul to Sofia bus arrive?

İstanbul to Sofia bus services, operated by Kamil Koc, arrive at Sofia station.

What is the time difference between İstanbul and Sofia?

Sofia is 1h behind İstanbul. It is currently 17:54 in İstanbul and 16:54 in Sofia.

Where does the İstanbul to Sofia train arrive?

İstanbul to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.

Can I drive from İstanbul to Sofia?

Yes, the driving distance between İstanbul to Sofia is 541 km. It takes approximately 5h 7m to drive from İstanbul to Sofia.

How do I get a bus ticket from İstanbul to Sofia?

Book your İstanbul to Sofia bus tickets online with Omio and Distribusion.

Where can I stay near Sofia?

There are 1944+ hotels available in Sofia. Prices start at $14.84 per night.
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