Sofia to Budapest bus with FlixBus

Wed, Nov 04
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FlixBus
ArdaTur
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Rede Expressos
2,000+ travel companies
FlixBus
ArdaTur
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Rede Expressos
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Sofia to Budapest

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Nov 04
Cheapest price on Nov 04
$68
Average ticket price on Nov 04
$74
Fastest journey on Nov 04
20 h 15 m
Average journey duration on Nov 04
22 h 58 m
Buses on Nov 04
6
Distance
631 km
Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sofia to Budapest is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Sofia to Budapest will cost around $74 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $68.

Fast buses

It's difficult to get from Sofia to Budapest without transferring at least once.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1 transfer

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Sofia to Budapest

BulgariaBulgaria
HungaryHungary
Icon of bus

Buses from Sofia to Budapest run on average 8 times per day, taking around 18h 30m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $24 (€20) but you can travel from only $18 (€15) by flight.

There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:25, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 392 miles (631 km) distance in 11h 40m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $18 (€15)
Distance
392 miles (631 km)
Average bus duration
18h 30m
Cheapest ticket price
$24 (€20)
Buses per day
8
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
11h 40m
First bus
12:25 AM
Last bus
11:50 PM
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
70 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $18 (€15)

Frequently asked questions about your Sofia to Budapest trip

Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Sofia to Budapest.

Cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Budapest can start from as little as $24 (€20) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Sofia to Budapest is $79 (€67) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The earliest bus from Sofia to Budapest leaves at 12:25 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Sofia to Budapest leaves at 11:50 PM.
Yes, there are 1 direct buses a day from Sofia to Budapest with ArdaTur. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.

Sofia to Budapest Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
01:15PM
Arrival Time
01:25PM
Duration
25h10
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun
Cheapest price
$60
Operator
ArdaTur
Departure Time
04:30PM
Arrival Time
04:10AM
Duration
12h40
Departure days
Mon, Sat
Cheapest price
$108
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
10:50PM
Arrival Time
06:30PM
Duration
20h40
Departure days
Everyday
Cheapest price
$56
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
11:25PM
Arrival Time
04:15AM
Duration
29h50
Departure days
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Cheapest price
$64

Live departures

Sofia to Budapest bus times

The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Budapest buses for today, Tuesday, November 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus10:50 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
20h40
6:30 PM Budapest, Népliget Autóbusz-Pályaudvar1 transfer
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus10:50 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
20h15
6:05 PM Budapest, Kelenföld Vasútállomás1 transfer
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus11:25 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
29h50
4:15 AM Budapest, Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér2 transfers

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Sofia to Budapest buses with Omio?

FlixBus as well as ArdaTur offer buses services from Sofia to Budapest.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Sofia to Budapest.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of ArdaTur to find the best option for your trip from Sofia to Budapest.
  • 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 FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Sofia to Budapest.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Sofia to Budapest.

Bus providers: FlixBus, ArdaTur from Sofia to BudapestYou can travel by bus between Sofia to Budapest with FlixBus, ArdaTur for as low as $18 (€15). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
14h 31m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
$24 (€20)
FlixBus frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

ArdaTur

About
ArdaTur is a bus company based in Haskovo, Bulgaria, established in 1991. It offers extensive bus services across seven countries, including Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany. ArdaTur operates over 233 daily departures, primarily from major cities like Istanbul, Sofia, and Thessaloniki, providing both intercity and regional routes. The company emphasizes passenger comfort with amenities such as Wi-Fi, restrooms, individual monitors, and complimentary food and drinks on international lines. ArdaTur maintains a modern fleet of over 80 luxury buses and has its own garage and service facility to ensure vehicle reliability and safety.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average ArdaTur Duration
11h 40m
Cheapest ArdaTur Price
$101 (€84)
ArdaTur frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One piece of hand luggage up to 15 kg and two pieces of checked luggage up to 35 kg each are included.
Additional luggage
Additional baggage or cargo is accepted for transport if there is free space and for a separate charge.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Refund
If the trip is delayed through the fault of the carrier, 100% of the ticket value and compensation for direct costs to the place of departure will be refunded with supporting documents.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are possible when buying a ticket or at Arda Tur offices up to 24 hours before departure during weak periods and 72 hours during busy periods.
Toilets
Accessibility
Passengers with disabilities receive discounts and priority seating, and folding wheelchairs are transported free of charge with advance registration.
Bikes
Only foldable bikes are allowed.

Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Sofia and Budapest

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.

When taking a bus from Sofia to Budapest, you can count on FlixBus, ArdaTur for the best way to get you to Budapest. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Sofia and Budapest and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Sofia to Budapest:
  • 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.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Sofia to Budapest for bus company FlixBus, ArdaTur.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Sofia to Budapest depends on the bus companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company {providersWithBike}.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Sofia to Budapest.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Sofia to Budapest:
  • 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).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Sofia to Budapest:
  • 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.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the bus from Sofia to Budapest. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Sofia to Budapest with the following bus company: FlixBus, ArdaTur
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Sofia to Budapest with the following bus company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Sofia to Budapest with the following bus company: FlixBus, ArdaTur.

Complete guide to Budapest

Things to do in Budapest

Discover the best of Budapest — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Budapest trip today.

  • Must visit

Museum of Fine Arts

Hungary’s top fine arts museum, with major European works from antiquity to the 20th century. Ideal for classic painting, sculpture, and old masters.

  • Recommended

Ludwig Museum

Leading contemporary art museum with strong Hungarian and international shows. Worth visiting for bold exhibitions in a landmark modern building.

  • Recommended

Hungarian National Museum

National museum covering Hungarian history, archaeology, and statehood. A classic stop for understanding the country beyond Budapest’s landmarks.

Hungarian forint (Ft)

Moderate for Europe: stays and dining are cheaper than in Western capitals, while central hotels and tourist areas cost more. Transit is good value.

Average meal costs

Budget
3,500-5,500 Ft for street food or fast food.
Mid-range
6,000-10,000 Ft per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
20,000 Ft+ per person at upscale restaurants.
Coffee
900-1,500 Ft for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

About 10% is common in restaurants if no service charge is added. Round up for taxis and leave small change or round up at cafes.

Plan your visit to Budapest

Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Budapest.

The currency used in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers often find it convenient to use cards in cities and larger establishments, but carrying some cash is recommended for smaller shops, markets, and rural areas where card acceptance may be limited.
In Budapest, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like public transport, markets, and popular tourist sites. Overcharging and unofficial taxi scams can occur, so it's best to use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps. Be wary of street vendors and people offering unsolicited help or friendship, as these can sometimes lead to distraction theft or pressure to pay for services. Always keep personal belongings secure and stay alert in busy locations.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

Buses from Sofia to Budapest: Journey Details

Buses in Europe are a convenient way to travel between cities, with a number of bus companies offering domestic and international routes. Buses from Sofia to Budapest depart up to three times daily, with departures in the morning and in the late afternoon. Services are operated by Infobus and Ecolines and the journey time is approximately 13 hours. All services are direct. On Saturdays and Sundays there is just one service between the two cities, departing in the morning.

Return buses from Budapest to Sofia are also available.

Taking the Bus from Sofia

Buses from Sofia to Budapest depart from the Central Bus Station adjacent to the city's Central Railway Station, which is directly linked to the city's Metro system. A journey from the city centre takes about 20 minutes. There is no public transport at night; however, taxis are available to make the journey from the centre of Sofia in less then 10 minutes.

Getting into Budapest by Bus

Budapest, Hungary's fascinating capital, gives the visitor two cities in one. Buda, on one bank of the mighty Danube River and Pest on the other side. The Hungarian Crown Jewels are on permanent exhibition in the impressive National Parliament Building, the largest in Europe, while the Royal Palace is open to all and contains the National Gallery which has an extensive collection. Budapest's Soviet-ruled past is showcased at Momento Park, with its many statues from that era. Buses From Sofia to Budapest arrive at the Hungarian capital's Nepliget Bus station about a half-hour's journey on Budapest's Metro system south-east of the city centre. Some of the city's public transport runs 24 hours a day. Taxis are also available at the station and make the journey to the city centre in about 20 minutes.

FAQs: Bus from Sofia to Budapest

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Budapest 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 Budapest, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Sofia and Budapest including taking a bus and flight.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from Sofia to Budapest

Most Sofia to Budapest buses use the София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) to Budapest, Népliget Autóbusz-Pályaudvar station pair, with some services arriving at Budapest, Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér. Use this guide to compare Sofia and Budapest bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Sofia
Arrival bus stations in Budapest
София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
City-centre transport

Getting to София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) from Sofia city centre

Bus78 · 13m · every ~5 min
Subway2 · 3m · $2 · every ~20 min
M2 · 4m · every ~16 min
Sofia (София)Central Bus Station - Sofia, Tsentralna, bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 100, 1202 Sofia, BulgariaWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Sofia (София) from Sofia city centre

Bus36h 31m · $474
38h 30m
39h 1m · $362
57h 18m · $296

Sofia (София) bus station facilities and services

Sofia (София) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Small cafes available nearby.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Sofia (София). ATMs are aTM machines available onsite.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Sofia (София).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Sofia (София): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Sofia (София): Facilities are accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.

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