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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 $42 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 15m. 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 $42, while a flight costs an average of $111.
Distance: 311 miles (502 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $111 Average price | $112 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 11m Average total duration 6h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration Fastest 4h 15m 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Sofia to Istanbul:
A bus is $69 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Istanbul costing on average $111.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 11m.
Tickets start at around $42 compared to roughly $112 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $70. The journey takes 6h 41m 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.
011:59 PM10h16Sofia10:15 AMIstanbul$371One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 011:59 PM10h16Sofia10:15 AMIstanbul$371One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- PC2726:45 PM1h15Sofia Airport8:00 PMIstanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport$1351One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 010:30 AM8h00Sofia6:30 PMIstanbul$401One-way0 transfers
- 08:30 AM8h30Sofia5:00 PMIstanbul$411One-way0 transfers
- 74787167:00 PM9h05Sofia4:05 AMIstanbul$411One-way0 transfers
TK11281:05 PM1h30Sofia Airport2:35 PMIstanbul Airport$2521One-way0 transfers- TK10323:50 PM1h30Sofia Airport5:20 PMIstanbul Airport$2821One-way0 transfers
- TK10309:10 PM1h30Sofia Airport10:40 PMIstanbul Airport$2821One-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 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 $69 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Istanbul costing on average $111.
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 11m.
- Around 14 flights per day.
- Around 5 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 FlixBus, ArdaTur, City Lines, Infobus, Mybus Sofia, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca to go to Istanbul by bus.
- Travel with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia to go to Istanbul by flight.
- 5 direct buses per day with FlixBus, ArdaTur, City Lines, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca.
- 4 direct flights per day with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines.
Travelling from Sofia to Istanbul: related information
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