- Must visit
National Archaeological Museum
Bulgaria’s main archaeological museum, housed in a former Ottoman mosque, with major Thracian, Roman, and medieval collections.
Cheapest price
$18
Average price
$30
Fastest journey
4 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 43 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
231 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Thessaloniki to Sofia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Thessaloniki to Sofia will cost around $30 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $18.
Of the 11 buses that leave Thessaloniki for Sofia on Thu, Jun 25, 11 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 25 the direct buses cover the 231 km distance in an average of 4 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 30 m .
On Thu, Jun 25 the slowest buses will take 4 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus

0
7143606
FlixBus
6679201
7143607
7143606Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Thessaloniki to Sofia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $13. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 10m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $13, and a flight costs an average of $132.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$25 Average price Cheapest | $250 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 40m Average total duration 5h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Thessaloniki to Sofia:
A bus is $226 (€186) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Thessaloniki to Sofia costing on average $250 (€207).
Other travel options to Sofia take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 10m.
Tickets start at around $25 (€20) compared to roughly $81 (€67) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $57 (€47). The journey takes 5h 10m versus 3h 44m 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.
Direct services are operated by Union Ivkoni International, ArdaTur, FlixBus, City Lines, Union Ivkoni, Infobus, Euroticket, LikeBus, Citylines.
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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 12:05AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 06:10AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:20AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator LikeBus | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Euroticket | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator ArdaTur | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
The table below shows live departures for Thessaloniki to Sofia buses for today, Wednesday, June 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7092553 | 8:00 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 5h00 | 1:00 PM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7092553 | 8:15 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h45 | 1:00 PM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:20 AM Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) | 4h40 | 1:00 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:00 AM Thessaloniki, Station Monastiriou (Θεσσαλονίκηб, Στάση Μοναστηρίου) | 5h50 | 2:50 PM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7118083 | 3:10 PM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 5h20 | 8:30 PM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:30 PM Thessaloniki, Station Monastiriou (Θεσσαλονίκηб, Στάση Μοναστηρίου) | 5h30 | 9:00 PM Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7118083 | 3:30 PM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 5h00 | 8:30 PM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:30 PM Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) | 5h15 | 10:45 PM София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, June 25 | |||||
7143606 | 12:05 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h55 | 5:00 AM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7143606 | 12:30 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h30 | 5:00 AM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
7143607 | 2:00 AM Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | 4h45 | 6:45 AM Sofia (София) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Thessaloniki to Sofia run on average 9 times per day, taking around 5h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 143 miles (231 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 143 miles (231 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Sofia — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sofia trip today.
Bulgaria’s main archaeological museum, housed in a former Ottoman mosque, with major Thracian, Roman, and medieval collections.
The country’s largest art museum, displaying Bulgarian and international art in a grand modern complex near Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
A well-curated city museum inside the former Central Mineral Baths, covering Sofia’s urban, political, and cultural history.
Sofia’s main pedestrian boulevard, lined with shops and lively city views, with Vitosha Mountain often visible at the southern end.
A central open-air archaeological zone integrated into the modern city, popular for walking, photos, and easy access to Roman ruins.
Sofia’s best-known large park, offering tree-lined walks, monuments, sports areas, and a local daily-life atmosphere.
A classic Bulgarian salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and grated sirene cheese. It is one of the country’s most iconic dishes and a staple in Sofia restaurants.
A traditional baked pastry made with thin layers of dough, eggs, and white cheese. It is a beloved breakfast and snack across Sofia and Bulgaria.
A cold yogurt soup with cucumber, dill, garlic, and walnuts, especially popular in warm weather. It is refreshing and distinctly Bulgarian.
An established central Sofia restaurant focused on refined Bulgarian cuisine, local wines, and stylish interiors inspired by national traditions.
A popular and established restaurant on Vitosha Boulevard offering a broad menu, dependable service, and a lively atmosphere suited to a casual meal in central Sofia.
A well-known traditional Bulgarian restaurant with folklore decor, regional specialties, and a rustic atmosphere popular with visitors seeking classic local dishes.
Affordable by European capital standards. Public transport, casual dining, and coffee are low cost; hotels vary by season and location.
About 10% in restaurants for good service. Round up taxis. Small tips for hotel staff are appreciated but not required. No tip is expected for counter service.
Official public transport app
Sofia, Centralna Avtogara -> Serdika, Sofia
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Thessaloniki to Sofia by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sofia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Thessaloniki to Sofia buses use the Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) to София, (Sofia) station pair, with some services arriving at София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2). Use this guide to compare Thessaloniki and Sofia bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) is 1 km from Thessaloniki city centre. Public transport options include:
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ).
Available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL (Θεσσαλονίκη, Μοναστηρίου - ΚΤΕΛ): Elevators, ramps.
Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) is 1 km from Sofia city centre. Public transport options include:
Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Serdika (in the station), Bistro Bulgaria (0.2 km), Sofia Grill House (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика).
Available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика): Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need