- Must visit
Acropolis Museum
World-class museum for Acropolis finds, with superb archaic sculptures and Parthenon marbles displayed in a striking modern building.
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$54
Fastest journey
11 h 30 m
Average duration
11 h 57 m
Buses per day
3
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 $54 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 3 buses that leave Sofia for Athens on Thu, Jul 23, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 23 the direct buses cover the 525 km distance in an average of 11 h 57 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 30 m .
On Thu, Jul 23 the slowest buses will take 12 h 21 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.
FlixBus



FlixBusOmio 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 $40. 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 $40, and a flight costs an average of $70.
Distance: 326 miles (525 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$59 Average price Cheapest | $175 Average price | $193 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 $115 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Athens costing on average $175 (€175).
Other travel options to Athens take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 1m.
Tickets start at around $59 (€59) compared to roughly $193 (€193) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $134 (€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 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, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 11h25 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 12h21 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Athens buses for tomorrow, Thursday, July 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:30 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 12h00 | 7:30 PM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:30 PM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 11h30 | 7:00 AM Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:59 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 12h21 | 12:20 PM Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού) | 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 $40 (€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 $40 (€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.
World-class museum for Acropolis finds, with superb archaic sculptures and Parthenon marbles displayed in a striking modern building.
Greece’s premier archaeology museum, spanning prehistory to late antiquity. Essential for masterpieces from across the country.
Outstanding museum of Cycladic art and ancient Greek culture. Known for elegant figurines and thoughtful contemporary presentation.
Athens’ oldest neighborhood charms with neoclassical houses, lanes, and easy access to major ancient sites and traditional atmosphere.
Busy square and market district known for street life, shopping, and strong transport links. Ideal for feeling the city’s energy.
Central ceremonial square before Parliament. A practical hub for visitors and a prime place to watch the guard-changing ritual.
Moussaka is a baked casserole of eggplant, minced meat, potato, and béchamel, iconic in Greek home cooking and tavern menus.
Souvlaki is grilled skewered pork or chicken, a classic Athens street food, usually served with pita, onions, and tzatziki.
Spanakopita is a flaky pie filled with spinach, herbs, and feta, a beloved everyday snack found in bakeries across Athens.
Michelin-starred restaurant offering refined modern Greek cuisine and Acropolis views in an elegant setting.
Long-standing Psiri taverna serving classic Greek dishes, live music, and a warm traditional atmosphere.
Historic central market taverna known for grilled meats and traditional meze in a lively, old Athens setting.
Moderate for Europe; hotels in peak season rise, but dining and transit stay fairly reasonable for tourists.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants, round taxi fares up, and leave small change at cafes.
Official public transport app
Athens, Leoforou Kifisou - KTEL -> Syntagma 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.

Most Sofia to Athens buses use the София, (Sofia) to Athens (Αθήνα) station pair, with some services arriving at Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη). Use this guide to compare Sofia and Athens bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) is 1 km from Sofia city centre. Public transport options include:
Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Serdika (in the station), Bistro Bulgaria (0.2 km), Sofia Grill House (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика).
Available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика): Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need