How to get from Istanbul to Sofia
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Istanbul to Sofia by price and travel time (route calculated on 28 October 2026).
- 502 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: flight, 1h 15m
- 4 bus departures a day with ArdaTur
- First bus at 10:30, last at 23:30
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
1h 15m
direct
Flight
€66
Cheapest
7h 55m
direct
Bus
€27
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 28 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Istanbul to Sofia. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h 20m, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 502 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This fare comes from a search on October 26, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
502 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €38Checked Oct 23 | 1h 20mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €69Reading date not recorded | 14h 50m1 transfer | See Train details |
| Bus | €27Older observation | 7h 55mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€38Checked Oct 231h 20m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€69Reading date not recorded14h 50m · 1 transferSee Train details
- Bus€27Older observation7h 55m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Istanbul to Sofia: cheapest or fastest?
Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Sabiha Gökçen Airport → Sofia Airportflight
Pegasus Airlines·1h 20m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Cheapest flight fare by month, Istanbul to Sofia
| Month | Lowest fare seen | Seen on |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | €76 | |
| November 2026 | €38 | |
| December 2026 | €35 |
The lowest fare Routavio has seen for each departure month, with the day it was seen. Fares change, so check the price when you search.
Departures from Istanbul to Sofia
ArdaTur runs 4 scheduled departures a day, the first at 10:30 and the last at 23:30.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTurbus | 4 | 10:30 | 23:30 |
| FlixBusbus | 1 | — | — |
All departures ArdaTur
- 10:30
- 14:00
- 21:00
- 23:30
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. The first row books at 12Go. The other links here open at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 8h 30m€28Book
Omio last refreshed these on Wed, Oct 28
Operators seen on these journeys
Pegasus AirlinesSabiha Gökçen Airport-Sofia AirportSee live options and dates →
ArdaTurIstanbul-SofiaSee live options and dates →
Turkish AirlinesIstanbul Airport-Sofia AirportSee live options and dates →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Istanbul-PlovdivBook →Bulgarian State RailwaysPlovdiv-SofiaBook →On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, ArdaTur, Turkish Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Bulgarian State Railways; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Istanbul to Sofia works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 28 October 2026. Start with a Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul to Sofia, about 1h 20m. In total it's roughly €39 over 1h 20m, direct, no transfers.
Where to stay
Stays in Sofia on Booking.comRent a car
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Things to do in Sofia
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Istanbul to Sofia: common questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Sofia?
Routavio's route check on 28 October 2026 times the flight itself at about 1h 20m; the most useful option is a flight. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
When is the first bus from Istanbul to Sofia?
The first bus with ArdaTur leaves at 10:30 and the last at 23:30, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Istanbul to Sofia?
Routavio's timetable check shows 4 bus departures a day with ArdaTur, between 10:30 and 23:30.
How far is Sofia from Istanbul?
About 502 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Istanbul to Sofia cost?
Routavio's price check on 26 October 2026 puts the route we recommend at €39. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Sofia?
Yes. The best option Routavio found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h 20m.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Sofia?
Routavio times the flight itself at about 1h 20m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Istanbul and Sofia?
Istanbul is SAW and Sofia is SOF, so this route is usually written SAW to SOF.
Which operators run Istanbul to Sofia?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, ArdaTur, Turkish Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Bulgarian State Railways.
Can you get from Istanbul to Sofia without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 7h 55m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Sofia?
Routavio's comparison usually points to a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Istanbul to Sofia
- how to get from Istanbul to Sofia
- Istanbul to Sofia travel time
- Istanbul to Sofia distance
- cheapest way from Istanbul to Sofia
- Istanbul to Sofia flight time
- flights from Istanbul to Sofia
- Istanbul Sofia direct flights
- SAW to SOF
- Istanbul to Sofia by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: Pegasus Airlines, ArdaTur, Turkish Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., Bulgarian State Railways
Route calculated: 28 Oct 2026
Prices checked: 26 Oct 2026