The cheapest and fastest coaches from Istanbul to Sofia
- Cheapest price on 12 Nov
- €28
- Average ticket price on 12 Nov
- €34
- Fastest journey on 12 Nov
- 8 h 30 m
- Average journey duration on 12 Nov
- 9 h 2 m
- Buses on 12 Nov
- 5
- Distance
- 502 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Istanbul to Sofia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Istanbul to Sofia will cost around €34 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only €28.
On Thu, 12 Nov, we found 5 buses from Istanbul to Sofia, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 502 km distance in an average of 9 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
The slowest buses will take 10 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.
76243849:00 PM 10h00 Istanbul 6:00 AM Sofia €28 1 One-way 0 changes
719949111:30 PM 9h10 Istanbul 7:40 AM Sofia €31 1 One-way 0 changes
02:30 PM 8h30 Istanbul 10:00 PM Sofia €32 1 One-way 0 changes
FlixBus11:00 AM 8h30 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) 6:30 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) €38 1 One-way 0 changes
FlixBus11:00 PM 9h00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) 7:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) €38 1 One-way 0 changes
FlixBus11:00 AM 8h30 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) 6:30 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) €38 1 One-way 0 changes
02:30 PM 8h30 Istanbul 10:00 PM Sofia €32 1 One-way 0 changes
FlixBus11:00 PM 9h00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) 7:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) €38 1 One-way 0 changes
719949111:30 PM 9h10 Istanbul 7:40 AM Sofia €31 1 One-way 0 changes
76243849:00 PM 10h00 Istanbul 6:00 AM Sofia €28 1 One-way 0 changes
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Istanbul to Sofia
Buses from Istanbul to Sofia run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €20 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest coach covers the 502 km distance in 7h 35m.
Distance 502 km |
Average bus duration 8h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price €20 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 7h 35m |
First bus 12:20 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Frequently asked questions about your Istanbul to Sofia trip
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Istanbul to Sofia.
Live departures
Istanbul to Sofia bus times
The table below shows live departures for Istanbul to Sofia coaches for today, Wednesday, 11 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7759306 | 9:00 PM Istanbul | 10h00 | 6:00 AM Sofia | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:00 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 9h00 | 7:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 changesdirect | |
7736908 | 11:30 PM Istanbul | 9h10 | 7:40 AM Sofia | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday, 12 November | |||||
FlixBus | 11:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 8h30 | 6:30 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 changesdirect | |
0 | 2:30 PM Istanbul | 8h30 | 10:00 PM Sofia | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Why should you book Istanbul to Sofia coaches 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 ArdaTur, Infobus or Mybus Sofia to find the best option for your trip from Istanbul to Sofia.
- 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 Istanbul to Sofia.
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 Istanbul to Sofia.
Bus providers: ArdaTur, FlixBus, Infobus, Mybus Sofia from Istanbul to SofiaYou can travel by bus between Istanbul to Sofia with ArdaTur, FlixBus, Infobus, Mybus Sofia for as low as €20. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Infobus
ArdaTur
Mybus Sofia
Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Istanbul and Sofia
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
- 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).
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
FAQs: Istanbul to Sofia coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Istanbul to Sofia by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sofia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Istanbul and Sofia
Most Istanbul to Sofia buses use the Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) to Sofia (София) station pair, with some services arriving at София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2). Use this guide to compare Istanbul and Sofia bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Istanbul station do buses to Sofia leave from?
Getting to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) from Istanbul city centre
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) is 5 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) bus station facilities and services
Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafeteria Terminal (in the station), Kebab Express (0.2 km), Simit Sarayı (0.3 km).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and throughout the station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler): Elevators, ramps.
Which Sofia station do buses from Istanbul arrive at?
Getting to Sofia (София) from Sofia city centre
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.
Getting to София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) from Sofia city centre
Getting to Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София) from Sofia city centre
Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София) is 6 km from Sofia city centre. Public transport options include:
Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София) bus station facilities and services
Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София). ATMs are aTMs are available nearby.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Sofia, Sofia International Airport (София, Летище София): The station has basic accessibility.
Bus stations for Istanbul to Sofia
Check bus stations information for Istanbul and Sofia, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.
Most popular bus connections from Istanbul
More options for your journey from Istanbul to Sofia
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
