- Must visit
Acropolis Museum
Athens’ premier archaeological museum, displaying finds from the Acropolis in a striking modern building. Essential for understanding the Parthenon and classical Athens.
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$74
Fastest journey
11 h 30 m
Average duration
12 h
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 Sun, Jun 07, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 07 the direct buses cover the 525 km distance in an average of 12 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 30 m .
On Sun, Jun 07 the slowest buses will take 12 h 30 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 $85.
Distance: 326 miles (525 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$73 Average price Cheapest | $214 Average price | $237 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 $141 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Athens costing on average $214 (€175).
Other travel options to Athens take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 1m.
Tickets start at around $73 (€59) compared to roughly $237 (€193) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $164 (€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 08:00PM | Duration 12h30 | 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 Wed | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $72 |
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, Saturday, June 6. 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) | 11h25 | 6:55 AM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 7 | |||||
![]() | 7:30 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 12h30 | 8:00 PM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 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 in a striking modern building. Essential for understanding the Parthenon and classical Athens.
Greece’s most important archaeological museum, with masterpieces from prehistoric to late antiquity, including sculpture, frescoes, and the Antikythera Mechanism.
A beautifully curated museum known for elegant Cycladic figurines and strong displays of ancient Greek and Cypriot art in central Athens.
Athens’ historic old quarter, loved for its neoclassical houses, pedestrian lanes, and easy access to major archaeological sites.
A lively central square known for street life, market atmosphere, and direct views toward the Acropolis.
The city’s best-known viewpoint, popular for panoramic photos over Athens and especially striking at sunset.
A classic baked dish of layered eggplant, potato, minced meat, and béchamel. It is one of the most recognizable traditional Greek meals served across Athens.
Grilled skewers of pork or chicken, often served with pita, onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki. It is a staple Athenian street food and everyday favorite.
A savory pie filled with spinach, herbs, and feta cheese in crisp phyllo pastry. It is a popular snack and bakery item throughout Athens.
A famous delicatessen-restaurant specializing in cured meats, cheeses, and meze, with a lively atmosphere in central Athens.
An established seafood restaurant by Lefkas Lazarou, known for refined Greek seafood dishes and a polished waterfront setting.
A long-running Monastiraki institution best known for grilled kebab and classic casual Greek fare in a busy central location.
Moderate for Europe: casual food and transit are fairly priced, while central hotels and tourist-area dining cost more.
Service is usually included, but 5-10% is appreciated at restaurants. Round up in taxis. Small tips are welcome at cafés; hotel staff tips are optional.
Official public transport app
Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL Kifisou -> Omonia 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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