- Must visit
Acropolis Museum
Athens’ premier archaeological museum, displaying finds from the Acropolis with excellent curation and views toward the Parthenon.
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$74
Fastest journey
12 h 30 m
Average duration
12 h 33 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
525 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sofia to Athens is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sofia to Athens will cost around $74 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 2 buses that leave Sofia for Athens on Mon, May 25, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 25 the direct buses cover the 525 km distance in an average of 12 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 30 m .
On Mon, May 25 the slowest buses will take 12 h 35 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.




Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Athens among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 54m. 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 $49, and a flight costs an average of $86.
Distance: 326 miles (525 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$74 Average price Cheapest | $216 Average price | $239 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 31m Average total duration 10h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 54m Average total duration Fastest 5h 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Sofia to Athens:
A bus is $142 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Athens costing on average $216 (€175).
Other travel options to Athens take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 1m.
Tickets start at around $74 (€59) compared to roughly $239 (€193) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $165 (€134). The journey takes 10h 1m versus 8h 41m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Union Ivkoni International, Infobus, City Lines, ArdaTur, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 12h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 12h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Athens buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:30 PM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 11h30 | 7:00 AM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
![]() | 7:30 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 12h30 | 8:00 PM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:30 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 12h35 | 8:05 PM Athens Chiou | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Sofia to Athens run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 1m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 04:00, the last at 23:44. The fastest bus covers the 326 miles (525 km) distance in 10h 45m.
Distance 326 miles (525 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€40) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 10h 45m |
First bus 4:00 AM |
Last bus 11:44 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Athens — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Athens trip today.
Athens’ premier archaeological museum, displaying finds from the Acropolis with excellent curation and views toward the Parthenon.
Greece’s largest archaeological museum, famous for masterpieces from prehistoric to Roman times, including the Mask of Agamemnon.
Major museum of Greek culture and art, spanning antiquity to modern times in a refined neoclassical mansion.
Athens’ most famous old neighborhood, loved for neoclassical streets, village-like atmosphere, and proximity to the Acropolis.
Lively central square known for flea-market energy, street life, and excellent views of the Acropolis.
Elegant pedestrian promenade running along the Acropolis, one of the city’s best urban walks for landmark views.
A classic Greek baked casserole of eggplant, potato, minced meat, and béchamel. It is one of the most iconic dishes served in Athens tavernas.
Skewered and grilled meat, often served in pita or on a plate with potatoes and salad. It is a staple Athenian fast meal and street-food favorite.
A savory pie of spinach, herbs, and feta wrapped in crisp phyllo pastry. It is a beloved everyday snack found in bakeries across Athens.
A famous deli-restaurant serving cured meats, cheeses, and meze inspired by Asia Minor Greek traditions in a lively central setting.
A historic taverna known for classic Athenian cooking, grilled meats, and a traditional dining room with old-school character.
A well-known upscale seafood restaurant by chef Lefteris Lazarou, known for refined Greek fish dishes and a polished waterfront setting.
Compared with many Western European capitals, Athens is fairly affordable for food and local transport, while central hotels in peak season can raise overall trip costs.
Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory. In casual cafes and tavernas, rounding up the bill or leaving EUR 1-2 is common. In sit-down restaurants, about 5-10% is polite for good service if a服务
Official public transport app
Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL -> Omonoia Square, Athens
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Athens 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 Athens, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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