How to get from Sofia to Istanbul
- 502 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: flight, 1h 15m
- 5 bus departures a day with ArdaTur
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
1h 15m
direct
Flight
€50
Cheapest
8h
direct
Bus
€32
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 4 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Sofia to Istanbul. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h 15m, 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 4, 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 | €50Checked Oct 4 | 1h 15mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €30Omio catalogue, Oct 5 | 8hdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€50Checked Oct 41h 15m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Bus€30Omio catalogue, Oct 58h · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Sofia to Istanbul: cheapest or fastest?
Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Sofia Airport → Sabiha Gökçen Airportflight
Pegasus Airlines·1h 15m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich 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.
Flight prices by day, Sofia to Istanbul
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€54November 2026
€46Departures from Sofia to Istanbul
ArdaTur runs 5 scheduled departures a day, the first at 08:30 and the last at 23:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTurbus | 5 | 08:30 | 23:59 |
| FlixBusbus | 1 | — | — |
All departuresArdaTur
- 08:30
- 10:30
- 13:30
- 19:00
- 23:59
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. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 8h€30Book
Omio last refreshed these on Mon, Oct 5
Operators seen on these journeys
Pegasus AirlinesSofia Airport-Sabiha Gökçen AirportSee live options and dates →
FlixBusSofia-İstanbul Esenler OtogarıBook →On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, FlixBus; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Sofia to Istanbul works
Start with a Pegasus Airlines flight from Sofia to Istanbul, about 1h 15m. In total it's roughly €50 over 1h 15m, direct, no transfers.
Sofia to Istanbul: common questions
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Istanbul?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 1h 15m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
When is the first bus from Sofia to Istanbul?
The first bus with ArdaTur leaves at 08:30 and the last at 23:59, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Sofia to Istanbul?
5 a day with ArdaTur, between 08:30 and 23:59.
How far is Istanbul from Sofia?
About 502 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Sofia to Istanbul cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €50. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Are there direct flights from Sofia to Istanbul?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h 15m.
How long is the flight from Sofia to Istanbul?
About 1h 15m, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Sofia and Istanbul?
Sofia is SOF and Istanbul is SAW, so this route is usually written SOF to SAW.
Which operators run Sofia to Istanbul?
On this route you travel with Pegasus Airlines, FlixBus.
Can you get from Sofia to Istanbul without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 8h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Sofia to Istanbul?
Usually 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 Sofia to Istanbul
- how to get from Sofia to Istanbul
- Sofia to Istanbul travel time
- Sofia to Istanbul distance
- cheapest way from Sofia to Istanbul
- Sofia to Istanbul flight time
- flights from Sofia to Istanbul
- Sofia Istanbul direct flights
- SOF to SAW
- Sofia to Istanbul 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
Route calculated: 4 Oct 2026
Prices checked: 4 Oct 2026