The cheapest and fastest buses from Thessaloniki to Sofia
Cheapest price
$30
Average price
$32
Fastest journey
4 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 47 m
Buses per day
7
Distance
231 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Thessaloniki to Sofia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Thessaloniki to Sofia will cost around $32 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $30.
Of the 7 buses that leave Thessaloniki for Sofia on Wed, Dec 03, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Dec 03 the direct buses cover the 231 km distance in an average of 4 h 47 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 30 m .
On Wed, Dec 03 the slowest buses will take 5 h 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.
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6319853Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Thessaloniki to Sofia
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Thessaloniki to Sofia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €12. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 5h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €12, and a flight costs an average of €118.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
€21 Average price Cheapest | €272 Average price |
5h 42m Average total duration Fastest 5h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 19m Average total duration 12h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Thessaloniki to Sofia Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 12:05AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Live departures
Thessaloniki to Sofia bus times
The table below shows live departures for Thessaloniki to Sofia buses for today, Tuesday, December 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:00 AM Thessaloniki | 5h00 | 1:00 PM Sofia | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:30 PM Thessaloniki | 5h15 | 7:45 PM Sofia | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:45 PM Thessaloniki | 5h15 | 2:00 AM Sofia | 0 transfersDirect | |
6320335 | 10:05 PM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h55 | 3:00 AM София, (Sofia) | 0 transfersDirect | |
6320335 | 10:30 PM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h30 | 3:00 AM София, (Sofia) | 0 transfersDirect | |
6320337 | 12:00 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h45 | 4:45 AM София, (Sofia) | 0 transfersDirect | |
6319853 | 6:00 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 5h00 | 11:00 AM София, (Sofia) | 0 transfersDirect | |
6319853 | 6:15 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h45 | 11:00 AM София, (Sofia) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Thessaloniki to Sofia 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Thessaloniki to Sofia
Buses from Thessaloniki to Sofia run on average 11 times per day, taking around 5h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $15 (€12) if you book in advance.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 143 miles (231 km) distance in 4h 45m.
Distance 143 miles (231 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $15 (€12) |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 4h 45m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Bus providers: Ourbus, City Lines, FlixBus, ArdaTur, Infobus, Citylines, Union Ivkoni - Unibus from Thessaloniki to SofiaYou can travel by bus between Thessaloniki to Sofia with Ourbus, City Lines, FlixBus, ArdaTur, Infobus, Citylines, Union Ivkoni - Unibus for as low as $15 (€12). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
City Lines
FlixBus
Infobus
Ourbus
ArdaTur
Citylines
Union Ivkoni - Unibus
FAQs: Bus from Thessaloniki to Sofia
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Thessaloniki to Sofia 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 Sofia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

When departing from Thessaloniki, you have various bus station options to start your journey from including Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ), Thessaloniki, Macedonia Intercity Bus Station, Thessaloniki, Central Bus Station Makedonia, Thessaloniki, Station Monastiriou (Θεσσαλονίκηб, Στάση Μοναστηρίου) and Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - Agíon Pánton (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - Αγίων Πάντων). When arriving in Sofia, you can end your journey in bus stations like Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара), София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2), Sofiya Airport - Terminal T1 and Sofia, Letishche Sofia Terminal 2 (София, Летище София Терминал 2).
Passengers board the bus most frequently from Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ), which is located around 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the bus at Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара), located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre.
- Ourbus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Service animals allowed.
- City Lines
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible restrooms.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning Orthodox cathedral known for its impressive architecture and golden domes
- Vitosha Boulevard, a vibrant pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants
- National Palace of Culture, a multifunctional conference and exhibition center surrounded by beautiful gardens
- Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its medieval frescoes
- Sofia Central Mineral Baths, a historic building showcasing beautiful architecture and housing a museum.
- Borisova Gradina, a large and scenic park ideal for leisurely walks and outdoor activities
- Sofia Zoo, one of the oldest and largest zoos in the Balkans, home to a wide variety of animals
- Sofia History Museum, offering insights into the city's rich past and cultural heritage
- Serdika Archaeological Complex, where you can explore ancient Roman ruins in the heart of the city
- Sofia Opera and Ballet, where you can enjoy world-class performances in a beautiful setting.
- Ourbus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a full refund in the form of a travel credit.
- 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.
- 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.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Thessaloniki to Sofia, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- Ourbus
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs and one checked bag up to 50 lbs.
- City Lines
- One carry-on bag up to 8kg (55x35x25) and one checked bag up to 25kg (70x50x30).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Ourbus
- 10 USD per additional bag.
- City Lines
- 10€ per additional bag up to 25 kg.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- City Lines
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- Larger pets must be leashed and muzzled.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- Larger pets may require a separate ticket.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Thessaloniki to Sofia
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the station.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 8, 12, 31 Train: Thessaloniki Railway Station
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 213, 305, 404 Metro: M2 Train: Sofia Central Station
- 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
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
Most popular bus connections from Thessaloniki
More options for your journey from Thessaloniki to Sofia
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