The cheapest and fastest coaches from Sofia to Istanbul
Cheapest price
174zł
Average price
174zł
Fastest journey
8 h
Average duration
8 h 15 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
502 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Sofia to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sofia to Istanbul will cost around 174zł if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only 174zł.
Of the 2 buses that leave Sofia for Istanbul every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 502 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 .
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.
FlixBus11:00 AM8h30София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:30 PMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)174 zł1One-way0 changes
FlixBus11:00 PM8h00София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:00 AMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)174 zł1One-way0 changes
FlixBus11:00 PM8h00София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:00 AMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)174 zł1One-way0 changes
FlixBus11:00 AM8h30София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:30 PMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)174 zł1One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and flight for Sofia to Istanbul
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from 138zł. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the coach is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of 138zł, and a flight costs an average of 230zł.
Distance: 502 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|
152zł Average Price Cheapest | 626zł Average Price |
7h 17m Average total duration 6h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 15m Average total duration Fastest 4h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Sofia to Istanbul bus times
The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Istanbul coaches for tomorrow, Friday, 14 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:00 AM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 8h30 | 7:30 PM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:00 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 8h00 | 7:00 AM Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) | 0 changesdirect | |
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 coach or flight
Compare coach 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.
14 Aug
15 Aug
16 Aug
17 Aug
18 Aug
19 Aug
20 Aug
21 Aug
22 Aug
23 Aug
24 Aug
25 Aug
26 Aug
27 Aug
28 Aug
29 Aug
30 Aug
31 Aug
01 Sept
02 Sept
03 Sept
Why should you book Sofia to Istanbul coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs ArdaTur?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for ArdaTur, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus, City Lines, Infobus or Citylines to find the best option for your trip from Sofia to Istanbul.
- 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 ArdaTur with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Sofia to Istanbul.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul
Buses from Sofia to Istanbul run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at 138zł 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 6h 59m.
Distance 502 km |
Average bus duration 6h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price 138zł |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 6h 59m |
First bus 12:20 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 70 days |
Bus providers: ArdaTur, FlixBus, City Lines, Infobus, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca from Sofia to IstanbulYou can travel by bus between Sofia to Istanbul with ArdaTur, FlixBus, City Lines, Infobus, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca for as low as 138zł. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
City Lines
Infobus
ArdaTur
Citylines
Huntur
Luks Yonca
FAQs: Sofia to Istanbul coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Istanbul 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 Istanbul, 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
Important Stations and Airports in Sofia and Istanbul
Most Sofia to Istanbul buses use the Sofia (София) to Istanbul, Büyük Otogari (Esenler) station pair, with some services arriving at Istanbul, Esenler Otogarı (Metro Bulgaria). Use this guide to compare Sofia and Istanbul bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Sofia station do buses to Istanbul leave from?
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 (T1) (София, Летище София (T1)) from Sofia city centre
Which Istanbul station do buses from Sofia arrive at?
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.
Getting to Istanbul, Esenler Otogarı (Metro Bulgaria) from Istanbul city centre
Most popular bus connections from Sofia
More options for your journey from Sofia to Istanbul
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

