How to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki
- 244 km as the crow flies
- 3 bus departures a day with ArdaTur
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
5h 05m
direct
Bus
€26
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 25 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Sofia to Thessaloniki. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 05m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 244 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This is the lowest fare we have recorded for this route in the last 14 days.
This fare comes from a search on September 17, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
244 km
Sofia to Thessaloniki: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Sofia → Thessalonikibus
ArdaTur·5h 05m
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 Thessaloniki
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
Departures from Sofia to Thessaloniki
ArdaTur runs 3 scheduled departures a day, the first at 10:00 and the last at 17:00.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTurbus | 3 | 10:00 | 17:00 |
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· 4h 40m€17Book
Omio last refreshed these on Sun, Sep 27
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with ArdaTur; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Sofia to Thessaloniki works
Start with a ArdaTur bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki, about 5h 5m. In total it's roughly €26 over 5h 5m, direct, no transfers.
Sofia to Thessaloniki: common questions
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
The most useful route takes about 5h 05m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
The first bus with ArdaTur leaves at 10:00 and the last at 17:00, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
3 a day with ArdaTur, between 10:00 and 17:00.
How far is Thessaloniki from Sofia?
About 244 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Sofia to Thessaloniki cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €26. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Sofia to Thessaloniki?
On this route you travel with ArdaTur.
Can you get from Sofia to Thessaloniki without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 4h 40m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
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.
Where to next
Other ways people search Sofia to Thessaloniki
- how to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki
- Sofia to Thessaloniki travel time
- Sofia to Thessaloniki distance
- cheapest way from Sofia to Thessaloniki
- Sofia to Thessaloniki 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: ArdaTur
Route calculated: 25 Sep 2026
Prices checked: 17 Sep 2026