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Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Sofia to Istanbul
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $39 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 22m. 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 $39, while a flight costs an average of $426.
Distance: 311 miles (502 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $426 Average price | $108 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 1m Average total duration 8h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 22m Average total duration Fastest 3h 22m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 1m 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.
Compare ways to travel from Sofia to Istanbul
Compare the available ways to get from Sofia to Istanbul, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Sofia to Istanbul:
A bus is $388 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Istanbul costing on average $426.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 1m.
Tickets start at around $39 compared to roughly $108 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $70. The journey takes 8h 31m versus 6h 1m 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 Sofia to Istanbul
How to get from Sofia to Istanbul by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Sofia to Istanbul is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 767394111:59 PM9h16Sofia10:15 AMIstanbul$361One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 767394111:59 PM9h16Sofia10:15 AMIstanbul$361One-way0 transfers
Fastest
PC27212:55 PM1h15Sofia Airport3:10 PMIstanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport$501One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 768406910:30 AM7h00Sofia6:30 PMIstanbul$391One-way0 transfers
- 08:30 AM7h30Sofia5:00 PMIstanbul$401One-way0 transfers
- 76392537:00 PM8h05Sofia4:05 AMIstanbul$401One-way0 transfers
- TK10324:00 PM1h30Sofia Airport6:30 PMIstanbul Airport$1941One-way0 transfers
- TK10309:40 PM1h30Sofia Airport12:10 AMIstanbul Airport$2721One-way0 transfers
A3981 · A399411:15 AM8h45Sofia Airport9:00 PMIstanbul Airport$4761One-way1 transfer
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 Sofia to Istanbul
Travel to Istanbul 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 Sofia to Istanbul.
This is compared to other travel options from Sofia to Istanbul:
A bus is $388 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Istanbul costing on average $426.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 1m.
- Around 14 flights per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Sofia and Istanbul as scheduled services by bus and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Sofia Airport and arrive in Istanbul Airport.
- Buses mostly depart from Sofia (София) and arrive in Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler).
- Travel with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia, CitizenPlane, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, tarom, Lot Polish Airlines, British Airways to go to Istanbul by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, ArdaTur, Infobus, Mybus Sofia to go to Istanbul by bus.
- 4 direct flights per day with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, CitizenPlane.
- 6 direct buses per day with FlixBus, ArdaTur, Infobus, Mybus Sofia.
Travelling from Sofia to Istanbul: related information
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