The cheapest and fastest buses from Sofia to Istanbul Airport
Cheapest price
$47
Average price
$47
Fastest journey
8 h
Average duration
8 h 15 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
475 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sofia to Istanbul Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sofia to Istanbul Airport will cost around $47 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $47.
Of the 2 buses that leave Sofia for Istanbul Airport on Mon, Mar 23, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Mar 23 the direct buses cover the 475 km distance in an average of 8 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h .
On Mon, Mar 23 the slowest buses will take 8 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusTravel Information
Compare bus and flight for Sofia to Istanbul Airport
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Istanbul Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 52m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, and a flight costs an average of $56.
Distance: 295 miles (475 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
$46 Average price Cheapest | $93 Average price |
9h 5m Average total duration 8h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration Fastest 1h 52m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Sofia to Istanbul Airport Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Live departures
Sofia to Istanbul Airport bus times
The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Istanbul Airport buses for today, Sunday, March 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 9:00 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 8h00 | 5:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, March 23 | |||||
FlixBus | 9:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 8h30 | 5:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Sofia to Istanbul Airport 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.
Mar 23
Mar 24
Mar 25
Mar 26
Mar 27
Mar 28
Mar 29
Mar 30
Mar 31
Apr 01
Apr 02
Apr 03
Apr 04
Apr 05
Apr 06
Apr 07
Apr 08
Apr 09
Apr 10
Apr 11
Apr 12
Why should you book Sofia to Istanbul Airport buses with Omio?
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 City Lines or Infobus to find the best option for your trip from Sofia to Istanbul Airport.
- 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 Istanbul Airport.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Trainline or Busbud?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Sofia to Istanbul Airport.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul Airport
Buses from Sofia to Istanbul Airport run on average 3 times per day, taking around 8h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $37 (€30) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 20:00, the last at 21:59. The fastest bus covers the 295 miles (475 km) distance in 6h 59m.
Distance 295 miles (475 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 (€30) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 6h 59m |
First bus 20:00 |
Last bus 21:59 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, City Lines, Infobus from Sofia to Istanbul AirportYou can travel by bus between Sofia to Istanbul Airport with FlixBus, City Lines, Infobus for as low as $37 (€30). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
City Lines
Infobus
FAQs: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul Airport
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Istanbul Airport 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 Istanbul Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- City Lines
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible restrooms.
- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
- Infobus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- 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).
- Infobus
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
- 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.
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- 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 Sofia to Istanbul Airport
- 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
Most popular bus connections from Sofia
More options for your journey from Sofia to Istanbul Airport
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

