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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 prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 17m. 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 $57.
Distance: 311 miles (502 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
$41 Average price Cheapest | $184 Average price |
8h 1m Average total duration 7h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 17m Average total duration Fastest 4h 17m 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.
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.
FlixBus11:00 AM8h30София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:30 PMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)$491One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
667809611:59 PM9h46Sofia (София)9:45 AMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)$431One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- PC2721:30 PM1h15Sofia Airport2:45 PMIstanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport$751One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 68652101:30 PM8h30Sofia (София)10:00 PMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)$451One-way0 transfers
676311810:00 PM7h59Sofia (София)5:59 AMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)$431One-way0 transfers- FlixBus11:00 PM8h00София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)7:00 AMIstanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)$491One-way0 transfers
TK10323:50 PM1h30Sofia Airport5:20 PMIstanbul Airport$2071One-way0 transfers- TK10309:05 PM1h30Sofia Airport10:35 PMIstanbul Airport$2331One-way0 transfers
A3981 · A399410:50 AM9h05Sofia Airport7:55 PMIstanbul Airport$4641One-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 $19 (€16) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Istanbul costing on average $57 (€46).
Other travel options to Istanbul take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 59m.
- Around 17 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 София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) and arrive in Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler).
- Travel with pegasus, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia to go to Istanbul by flight.
- Travel with City Lines, ArdaTur, Infobus, FlixBus, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca to go to Istanbul by bus.
- 4 direct flights per day with pegasus, Turkish Airlines.
- 5 direct buses per day with City Lines, ArdaTur, Infobus, FlixBus, Citylines, Huntur, Luks Yonca.
Travelling from Sofia to Istanbul: related information
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