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Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Istanbul to Sofia
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Istanbul to Sofia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, and a flight costs an average of $67.
Distance: 311 miles (502 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $265 Average price | $108 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 42m Average total duration 7h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 40m Average total duration Fastest 4h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Istanbul to Sofia:
A bus is $223 (€180) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Istanbul to Sofia costing on average $265 (€213).
Other travel options to Sofia take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 12m.
Travel optionsfrom Istanbul to Sofia
How to get from Istanbul to Sofia by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Istanbul to Sofia is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
702238311:30 PM8h10Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)7:40 AMSofia (София)$381One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 702238311:30 PM8h10Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)7:40 AMSofia (София)$381One-way0 transfers
Fastest
TK10311:45 PM1h15Istanbul Airport3:00 PMSofia Airport$1771One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 02:00 PM8h00Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)10:00 PMSofia (София)$401One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:00 AM8h30Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)7:30 PMСофия, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)$421One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:00 PM9h00Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)8:00 AMСофия, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)$421One-way0 transfers
- PC27111:00 AM1h20Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport12:20 PMSofia Airport$671One-way0 transfers
- TK112712:00 PM1h15Istanbul Airport1:15 PMSofia Airport$1771One-way0 transfers
- TK10296:55 PM1h20Istanbul Airport8:15 PMSofia Airport$1951One-way0 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Istanbul 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 Istanbul to Sofia.
This is compared to other travel options from Istanbul to Sofia:
A bus is $223 (€180) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Istanbul to Sofia costing on average $265 (€213).
Other travel options to Sofia take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 12m.
- Around 15 flights per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Istanbul and Sofia as scheduled services by bus and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Istanbul Airport and arrive in Sofia Airport.
- Buses mostly depart from Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler) and arrive in Sofia (София).
- Travel with FlixBus, ArdaTur, City Lines, Infobus, Citylines, Alpar Turizm, Kamil Koc, Luks Yonca to go to Sofia by bus.
- Travel with pegasus, Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Aegean Airlines, tarom, Lot Polish Airlines to go to Sofia by flight.
- 5 direct buses per day with FlixBus, ArdaTur, City Lines, Infobus, Citylines, Alpar Turizm, Kamil Koc, Luks Yonca.
- 4 direct flights per day with pegasus, Turkish Airlines.
Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia: related information
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