How to get from Istanbul to Sofia

Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia can be done easily and cheaply. There are a number of options available, including taxi, train, car, and even the occasional bus. Prices start at as low as €2.98, making it an affordable and convenient way to get from one city to the other. With some research, the best option can be found to suit any budget.

Updated:

Plane

Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia is a relatively easy journey. The first step is to fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia (SOF) airport. The journey only takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and tickets cost around €65 with Turkish Airlines.

Once you've arrived at the Sofia Airport, the next step is to take the transport from the Airport station to the downtown area. The journey takes just 8 minutes and tickets cost around €6 with Atlas Taxi. The total distance of the journey is 8km.

Overall, this journey is an easy one that doesn't take too much time or cost too much money. The flight from Istanbul to Sofia is a short one and the transport from the airport to the downtown area is also quite affordable. So if you're looking to get from Istanbul to Sofia, this is definitely the way to go.



Take the taxi at the .

The journey takes approximately 31 m. Ticket price is about €17 The travel distance is 45 km.

Carrier is Online Taxi.

🚖 Find a cheap local taxi

Get off at the Istanbul (IST).
Fly out to Istanbul (IST) of the Sofia (SOF) airport.

The journey takes approximately 1 h 15 m. Ticket price is about €65

Carrier is Turkish Airlines.

🔎

🚖 Find a cheap local taxi

Get off at the Sofia (SOF).
Take the transport at the Sofia Airport station.

The journey takes approximately 8 m. Ticket price is about €6 The travel distance is 8 km.

Carrier is Atlas Taxi.

Buy ticket

Get off at the Sofia.


🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


Bus



Take the train Aksaray at the station Istanbul Ulasim.

The journey takes approximately 12 m. The travel distance is 6 km.

Carrier is Istanbul Ulasim.

Buy ticket

Get off at the Otogar.
Take the MetroTurizm bus at the Istanbul Otogari station .

The journey takes approximately 9 h 30 m. Ticket price is about €15 The travel distance is 603 km.

Carrier is MetroTurizm.

Buy ticket

Get off at the Sofia.


🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


Train

Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia is easy and affordable. Depending on your preference, there are two options on how to get from Istanbul to Sofia: taking the train or the bus.

Taking the Train

The train from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia (SOF) departs from the Istanbul Ulasim station. The journey takes approximately 12m and the ticket price is around €15. The carrier is Istanbul Ulasim.

Taking the Bus

Alternatively, you can take the MetroTurizm bus from the Istanbul Otogari station. The journey will take around 9h 30m and the travel distance is 603 km. The ticket price is approximately €15. The carrier is MetroTurizm.

By following these steps, you can easily get from Istanbul to Sofia. Enjoy your journey!



Take the train Halkali at the station Turkish Railways (TCDD).

The journey takes approximately 4 h 43 m. Ticket price is about €2 The travel distance is 293 km.

Carrier is Turkish Railways (TCDD).

Buy ticket

Get off at the Kapikule.
Take the train Kapikule at the station Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

The journey takes approximately 20 m. Ticket price is about €1 The travel distance is 19 km.

Carrier is Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

Buy ticket

Get off at the Svilengrad.
Take the train Svilengrad at the station Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

The journey takes approximately 4 h 55 m. Ticket price is about €5 The travel distance is 296 km.

Carrier is Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

Buy ticket

Get off at the Sofia.


🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


Bus

Traveling between Istanbul and Sofia can be a great way to get around and explore both countries. Taking the train is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to make the journey.

The first step in getting from Istanbul to Sofia is to take the train Halkali from the Turkish Railways (TCDD) station. The journey takes around 4 h 43 m and the ticket price is about €2. The travel distance is 293 km.

Once you arrive at the Kapikule station, the next step is to take the train Kapikule from the Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) station. This journey takes around 20 m and the ticket price is about €1. The travel distance is 19 km.

Finally, you will need to take the train Svilengrad from the Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) station and get off at the Sofia station. The journey takes around 4 h 55 m and the ticket price is about €5. The travel distance is 296 km.

Overall, traveling from Istanbul to Sofia by train is an efficient and cost-effective way to get around. With the right planning and preparation, you can make the journey in no time at all.



Take the train Istanbul (IST) at the station Istanbul Ulasim.

The journey takes approximately 12 m.

Carrier is Istanbul Ulasim.

Buy ticket

Get off at the Sofia (SOF).
Take the Arda Tur bus at the Istanbul Büyük Otogari station .

The journey takes approximately 10 h 51 m. Ticket price is about €30 The travel distance is 585 km.

Carrier is Arda Tur.

Buy ticket



🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


Night train

Taking a trip from Istanbul to Sofia is a great way to explore the beauty and culture of both cities. Whether you are looking for a quick day trip or a week-long vacation, there are several ways to make the journey from Istanbul to Sofia.

For a fast and convenient journey, the most popular option is to take the train. The train departs from Istanbul Ulasim station and arrives at Sofia station. The journey takes about 12 hours and ticket prices are around €2. This is a great option for those looking for a comfortable and affordable way to travel.

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can take the Citylines bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari station to Sofia Central Bus Station. This journey takes about 9 hours and the ticket price is approximately €2. The travel distance is 576 km and the carrier is Citylines.

No matter which route you choose, it is important to plan your journey in advance and make sure you have all the necessary documents such as a passport and visa. Istanbul and Sofia are two of the most fascinating cities in the world and taking a trip between the two is an incredible experience. Safe travels!



Take the train Yenikapi at the station Turkish Railways (TCDD).

The journey takes approximately 32 m. The travel distance is 20 km.

Carrier is Turkish Railways (TCDD).

Buy ticket

Get off at the Halkali.
Take the train Halkali at the station Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

The journey takes approximately 13 h 35 m. Ticket price is about €12 The travel distance is 557 km.

Carrier is Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).

Buy ticket

Get off at the Sofia.


🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


Drive

Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia can be a great experience, especially if you take the train. The journey is a comfortable and convenient way to get to your destination and it will take you approximately 13 hours and 35 minutes, with a total distance of 557 km.

The first step is to take the train Yenikapi at the station Turkish Railways (TCDD). This train will take you to the Halkali station, a journey that takes approximately 32 minutes and the travel distance is 20 km. Once you arrive at Halkali, you will then need to take the train Halkali at the station Bulgarian Railways (BDZh). This train will take you directly to Sofia, a journey that takes approximately 13 hours and 35 minutes, with a total distance of 557 km. The ticket price for this journey is about €12.

The train journey from Istanbul to Sofia is a great way to experience the beauty of Eastern Europe. The scenery along the way is breathtaking and it will give you a chance to experience Turkish and Bulgarian culture, as you pass through small towns and cities. With the added convenience of getting to your destination in a relatively short amount of time, and at an affordable price, taking the train from Istanbul to Sofia is definitely a great option for travellers.



In a rental car. Check this site to see which rental company offers the best deal with discounts of up to 20%.

The journey takes approximately 5 h 11 m. The travel distance is 547 km.

Get off at the .


🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Sofia at Booking


The cheapest way to travel from Istanbul to Sofia is by taking a Train with an average price of €9. The journey takes approximately 11 ч. 58 мин.

Plane is the fastest way to travel from Istanbul to Sofia. Tickets cost €89. The journey takes approximately 1 ч. 56 мин.

Istanbul is approximately 547 km away from Sofia. The trip by car takes 5 h 11 m.

The average journey time by car between Istanbul and Sofia is 5 h 11 m.

What to Do in Sofia

Sofia

If you're looking for a European city that's full of history, culture, and monuments, look no further than Sofia – the capital of Bulgaria. Here, you can explore centuries-old churches and plazas, take in impressive architecture and art collections, and eat some of Europe's best food. Whether you're interested in history or just want to have a relaxing time in a beautiful city, Sofia is definitely worth a visit.