The cheapest and fastest buses from Istanbul to Sofia
Cheapest price
$42
Average price
$46
Fastest journey
8 h 30 m
Average duration
9 h 14 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
502 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Istanbul to Sofia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Sofia will cost around $46 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $42.
Of the 5 buses that leave Istanbul for Sofia on Tue, Feb 24, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Feb 24 the direct buses cover the 502 km distance in an average of 9 h 14 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
On Tue, Feb 24 the slowest buses will take 10 h 31 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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6506370
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FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
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FlixBus
6506370
0Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Istanbul to Sofia
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Istanbul to Sofia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 35m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €30, and a flight costs an average of €40.
Distance: 311 miles (502 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
€34 Average price Cheapest | €169 Average price |
9h 45m Average total duration 9h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 35m Average total duration Fastest 2h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Istanbul to Sofia Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 05:31AM | Duration 10h31 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $44 |
Live departures
Istanbul to Sofia bus times
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Sofia buses for today, Monday, February 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 8:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 8h30 | 4:30 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
6612611 | 11:30 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 9h00 | 8:30 PM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
6612314 | 5:00 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 10h31 | 3:31 AM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
FlixBus | 8:00 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 9h00 | 5:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
6612292 | 8:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 9h10 | 5:40 AM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Istanbul to Sofia by bus or flight
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Feb 23
Feb 24
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Feb 28
Mar 01
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Why should you book Istanbul to Sofia buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs City Lines?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for City Lines, but also compare tickets for the likes of ArdaTur, FlixBus, Infobus or Citylines to find the best option for your trip from Istanbul to Sofia.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare City Lines with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Istanbul to Sofia.
Why book with Omio over Busbud or Checkmybus?
- Official reseller: City Lines tickets can only be bought on Omio or City Lines's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for City Lines tickets. Busbud or Checkmybus do not sell City Lines tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Istanbul to Sofia.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Istanbul to Sofia
Buses from Istanbul to Sofia run on average 6 times per day, taking around 9h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $38 (€30) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 311 miles (502 km) distance in 8h 50m.
Distance 311 miles (502 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€30) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 8h 50m |
First bus 00:20 |
Last bus 23:30 |
Bus providers: City Lines, ArdaTur, FlixBus, Infobus, Citylines, Alpar Turizm, Kamil Koc from Istanbul to SofiaYou can travel by bus between Istanbul to Sofia with City Lines, ArdaTur, FlixBus, Infobus, Citylines, Alpar Turizm, Kamil Koc for as low as $38 (€30). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
City Lines
FlixBus
Infobus
ArdaTur
Citylines
Alpar Turizm
Kamil Koc
FAQs: Bus from Istanbul to Sofia
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Sofia by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sofia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- City Lines
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible restrooms.
- ArdaTur
- Passengers with disabilities receive discounts and priority seating, and folding wheelchairs are transported free of charge with advance registration.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning Orthodox cathedral known for its impressive architecture and golden domes
- Vitosha Boulevard, a vibrant pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants
- National Palace of Culture, a multifunctional conference and exhibition center surrounded by beautiful gardens
- Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its medieval frescoes
- Sofia Central Mineral Baths, a historic building showcasing beautiful architecture and housing a museum.
- Borisova Gradina, a large and scenic park ideal for leisurely walks and outdoor activities
- Sofia Zoo, one of the oldest and largest zoos in the Balkans, home to a wide variety of animals
- Sofia History Museum, offering insights into the city's rich past and cultural heritage
- Serdika Archaeological Complex, where you can explore ancient Roman ruins in the heart of the city
- Sofia Opera and Ballet, where you can enjoy world-class performances in a beautiful setting.
- City Lines
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours incur a 20% fee.
- ArdaTur
- Cancellation policies vary by ticket class, individual trips, or promotions, with refunds ranging from 50% to 100% depending on the time before departure, and no refunds for cancellations less than 24 hours prior.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- City Lines
- One carry-on bag up to 8kg (55x35x25) and one checked bag up to 25kg (70x50x30).
- ArdaTur
- One piece of hand luggage up to 15 kg and two pieces of checked luggage up to 35 kg each are included.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- City Lines
- 10€ per additional bag up to 25 kg.
- ArdaTur
- Additional baggage or cargo is accepted for transport if there is free space and for a separate charge.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- City Lines
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets must be leashed and muzzled.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Istanbul to Sofia
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Terminal (in the station)
- Kebab Express (0.2 km)
- Simit Sarayı (0.3 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Metro: M1A Bus: 83O, 91E, 97G
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Alibeyköy (in the station)
- Kebab House (0.2 km)
- Simit Sarayı (0.5 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 36CE, 49T, 49Z Metro: M7
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Serdika (in the station)
- Bistro Bulgaria (0.2 km)
- Sofia Grill House (0.5 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 213, 305, 404 Metro: M1, M2 Train: Sofia Central Station
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 213, 305, 404 Metro: M2 Train: Sofia Central Station
Most popular bus connections from Istanbul
More options for your journey from Istanbul to Sofia
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