Sofia to Istanbul bus

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Cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Istanbul

Showing times and prices for Oct 15

Cheapest

$39

Average

$40

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

Cheapest

11:00AM9h00

София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)

08:00PMIstanbul

$391One-way

0 transfers

Cheapest

11:00PM8h30

София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)

07:30AMIstanbul

$391One-way

0 transfers

2nd Cheapest

10:00PM7h59

Sofia

05:59AMIstanbul

$401One-way

0 transfers

2nd Cheapest

10:30PM8h30

София, Централна Aвтогара (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara)

07:00AMIstanbul

$401One-way

0 transfers

09:00AM9h00

Sofia

06:00PMIstanbul

$411One-way

0 transfers

Sofia to Istanbul bus times

Showing buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
City Lines	09:00AM Sofia	9h00	06:00PM Istanbul	0 transfersDirect
FlixBus	11:00AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)	9h00	08:00PM Istanbul	0 transfersDirect
City Lines	05:00PM Sofia	9h00	02:00AM Istanbul	0 transfersDirect
Infobus	10:00PM Sofia	7h59	05:59AM Istanbul	0 transfersDirect
City Lines	10:30PM София, Централна Aвтогара (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara)	8h30	07:00AM Istanbul	0 transfersDirect
FlixBus	11:00PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)	8h30	07:30AM Istanbul	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 by bus or flight

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How far in advance should I book bus tickets from Sofia to Istanbul?

The best time to book your bus from Sofia to Istanbul is 84 days before departure. See how prices for buses change on the Sofia to Istanbul route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Sofia to Istanbul per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your bus from Sofia to Istanbul.

Buses

from $38

Flights

from $324

Bus times from Sofia to Istanbul

Showing times and prices for Oct 15

Fastest Journey

7 h 59 m

Average

8 h 39 m

Buses per day

Distance

502 km

Of the 6 buses that leave Sofia for Istanbul every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

Fastest

10:00PM7h59

Sofia

05:59AMIstanbul

$401One-way

0 transfers

2nd Fastest

11:00PM8h30

София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)

07:30AMIstanbul

$391One-way

0 transfers

2nd Fastest

10:30PM8h30

София, Централна Aвтогара (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara)

07:00AMIstanbul

$401One-way

0 transfers

09:00AM9h00

Sofia

06:00PMIstanbul

$411One-way

0 transfers

11:00AM9h00

София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)

08:00PMIstanbul

$391One-way

0 transfers

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Overview: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul

Distance	311 miles (501 km)
Average bus duration	7 h 59 min
Average bus ticket price	$34 (€29)
Bus frequency	1 a day
Direct bus	Yes, there is 1 direct bus a day
Bus companies	Arda Tur, City Lines, Infobus or FlixBus

Buses from Sofia to Istanbul cover the 311 miles (501 km) long journey taking on average 7 h 59 min with our travel partners like Arda Tur, City Lines, Infobus or FlixBus. Normally, there is 1 bus operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest bus tickets for this journey for as low as $31 (€27), but the average price of bus tickets is $34 (€29). Travelers depart most frequently from Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара) and arrive in Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler).

Bus companies: Arda Tur, Eurolines Deutschland and City Lines from Sofia to Istanbul

You can travel by bus from Sofia to Istanbul with Arda Tur, Eurolines Deutschland and City Lines for as low as $31 (€27). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best route.

FlixBus is one of the most popular low-cost bus companies in Europe. Founded in Germany, FlixBus has expanded its services throughout Europe and even to the United States, giving travelers in both continents the option to take a long-distance bus at an affordable price. FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select routes throughout Europe. FlixBus offers only the Standard ticket for all its routes, which allows you to bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag per person. Additional fees apply for bringing extra luggage and making specific seat reservations, such as if you want to book an Extra Seat, Table Seat or the Panorama Seat. Standard amenities onboard include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge your phone, tablet or laptop during long bus journeys, extra legroom, luggage space and toilets.

Bus information from Sofia to Istanbul with FlixBus:

Average Duration: 9 h
Cheapest Price: $36
FlixBus frequency: 1 a day

FAQs: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul

FAQs: Take the bus from Sofia to Istanbul with ease. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have the information you need to know so you can find the best option from Sofia to Istanbul.

Cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Istanbul can start from as little as $31 (€27) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Sofia to Istanbul is $34 (€29); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Sofia to Istanbul bus time is 7 h 59 min covering the 311 mile (501 km) long route, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.

The first bus from Sofia to Istanbul leaves at 8: 00 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last bus from Sofia to Istanbul leaves at 8: 59 PM.

Yes, it is possible to travel from Sofia to Istanbul without having to change trains with City Lines, Infobus or FlixBus. There is 1 direct bus from Sofia to Istanbul each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.

Take the Sofia to Istanbul bus with Arda Tur, City Lines, Infobus or FlixBus. However, it's always good to check out all possible bus companies for the journey between Sofia and Istanbul as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.

When departing from Sofia, you have various bus station options to start your route from including Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара) and София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2). When arriving in Istanbul, you can end your journey in bus stations like Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) and Istanbul, Esenler Otogarı (Metro Bulgaria).

Passengers board the bus most frequently from Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара), which is located around 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the bus at Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler), located 4.8 miles (7.8 km) away from the city centre.

The cheapest month to travel from Sofia to Istanbul by bus is September.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel from Sofia to Istanbul including taking a bus or flight.