4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Athens to Sofia
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Athens to Sofia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $65 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 17m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.5 - 1.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $65, while a flight costs an average of $410.
Distance: 326 miles (525 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$65 Average price Cheapest | $410 Average price | $232 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 21m Average total duration 11h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 17m Average total duration Fastest 3h 17m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Athens to Sofia
Compare the available ways to get from Athens to Sofia, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Athens to Sofia:
A bus is $345 (€293) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Athens to Sofia costing on average $410 (€348).
Other travel options to Sofia take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 21m.
Tickets start at around $65 (€56) compared to roughly $232 (€197) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $167 (€142). The journey takes 11h 51m versus 8h 43m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Travel optionsfrom Athens to Sofia
How to get from Athens to Sofia by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Athens to Sofia is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
6:30 PM 11h45 Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) 6:15 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) $71 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
6:30 PM 11h45 Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) 6:15 AM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) $71 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
FB8089:00 PM 1h15 Athens International Airport 10:15 PM Sofia Airport $118 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
9:00 AM 13h00 Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) 10:00 PM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) $71 1 One-way 0 transfers
05:30 PM 11h30 Athens 5:00 AM Sofia $72 1 One-way 0 transfers
GQ6806:00 PM 1h45 Athens International Airport 7:45 PM Sofia Airport $147 1 One-way 0 transfers
A39827:00 PM 1h20 Athens International Airport 8:20 PM Sofia Airport $176 1 One-way 0 transfers- A31150
9:00 PM 1h15 Athens International Airport 10:15 PM Sofia Airport $181 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Athens to Sofia
Travel to Sofia easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Athens to Sofia.
This is compared to other travel options from Athens to Sofia:
A bus is $345 (€293) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Athens to Sofia costing on average $410 (€348).
Other travel options to Sofia take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 21m.
- Around 28 flights per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Athens and Sofia as scheduled services by bus and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Athens International Airport and arrive in Sofia Airport.
- Buses mostly depart from Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη) and arrive in Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика).
- Travel with Infobus, Union Ivkoni International, ArdaTur, FlixBus, Euroticket, LikeBus, LikeBus to go to Sofia by bus.
- Travel with Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, ITA, Bulgaria Air, Austrian Airlines, tarom, Qatar Airways, Swiss, Lot Polish Airlines, British Airways, Sichuan Airlines, CitizenPlane, Air Serbia, Norwegian Air Shuttle to go to Sofia by flight.
- 3 direct buses per day with Infobus, Union Ivkoni International, ArdaTur, FlixBus, Euroticket, LikeBus, LikeBus.
- 2 direct flights per day with Aegean Airlines, Bulgaria Air, CitizenPlane.
Travelling from Athens to Sofia: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
