Sofia to Istanbul by bus
Travelling from Sofia to Istanbul by bus takes about 8h, run by FlixBus. 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.
- Ticket price
- €30
- Total journey
- 8h
- Change
- direct
- Operator
- FlixBus
Omio catalogue, Oct 3 · For the route, not a chosen day
The journey, step by step
- 1Sofia to İstanbul Esenler Otogarı
FlixBus8hThe exact stop, platform and times are not in this record; confirm them with the provider.
Departures 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTur | 5 | 08:30 | 23:59 |
| FlixBus | 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.
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.
- Arrives at
- İstanbul Esenler Otogarı
- Bus operators
- ArdaTur, FlixBus
- Timetable
- First bus at 08:30, last at 23:59, 5 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 | €50Older observation | 1h 15mFlight only | See Flight details |
- Flight€50Older observation1h 15m · Flight onlySee Flight 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. The first row books at 12Go. The other links here open at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 8h€30Book
Omio last refreshed these on Sat, Oct 3
Sofia to Istanbul by bus: common questions
How long does Sofia to Istanbul take by bus?
About 8h, with no transfer.
How much is a bus ticket from Sofia to Istanbul?
Omio publishes €30 for this route. It describes the route rather than a particular day, and it can change.
Who runs the bus from Sofia to Istanbul?
FlixBus. 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
- Sofia Istanbul bus
- Sofia to Istanbul by bus
- bus ticket Sofia to Istanbul
- how long is the bus from Sofia to Istanbul