Istanbul to Sofia by bus
Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia by bus takes about 7h 55m, run by ArdaTur. A quicker option we found is flight, at 1h 15m. The bus is still the cheapest.
A closer look at the Bus journey
What follows describes one observed route. It does not mean this is the fastest option on the line.
- Observed fare
- €27
- Total journey
- 7h 55m
- Change
- direct
- Operator
- ArdaTur
Older observation · Not checked for your date
The journey, step by step
- 1Istanbul to Sofia
ArdaTur7h 55mThe exact stop, platform and times are not in this record; confirm them with the provider.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTur | 4 | 10:30 | 23:30 |
| FlixBus | 1 | — | — |
All departuresArdaTur
- 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.
Bus facts for this route
These come from the timetables and station records we hold for the bus only. A line we cannot back with data is left out.
- Departs from
- İstanbul Esenler Otogarı
- Bus operators
- ArdaTur, FlixBus
- Timetable
- First bus at 10:30, last at 23:30, 4 a day with ArdaTur.
- Good to know
- Direct bus, no change on the way.
Before you travel
Seats and the service
Seat selection, breaks and the exact timetable vary by operator. Traffic and road conditions can change the journey time.
Baggage and ticket conditions
Baggage allowance and ticket conditions depend on the provider you choose and the fare type. This record holds neither, so check the change and cancellation terms before you buy.
Accessibility
Accessibility services and facilities are not in this record. Contact the operator before travelling for current information.
Other ways to travel
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €52Checked Oct 5 | 1h 20mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €69Reading date not recorded | 14h 40m1 transfer | See Train details |
- Flight€52Checked Oct 51h 20m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€69Reading date not recorded14h 40m · 1 transferSee Train details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
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. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 8h€28Book
Omio last refreshed these on Tue, Oct 6
Istanbul to Sofia by bus: common questions
How long does Istanbul to Sofia take by bus?
About 7h 55m, with no transfer.
How much is a bus ticket from Istanbul to Sofia?
The best price in our latest check was €27. The exact fare depends on the date and how full the service is.
Who runs the bus from Istanbul to Sofia?
ArdaTur. You buy the ticket directly from them.
Is the bus or the flight better?
The flight is faster at 1h 15m. The bus wins on price.
Where else this route goes
Route guides
- Istanbul Sofia bus
- Istanbul to Sofia by bus
- bus ticket Istanbul to Sofia
- how long is the bus from Istanbul to Sofia