Buses from Istanbul to Sofia

Buses from Istanbul to Sofia

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Istanbul to Sofia Bus Schedule

Istanbul to Sofia Bus Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Pegasus Airlines Economy 00:15 - 11:40TRY 3,751
Air Serbia Economy #JU80705:00 - 05:40$ 228.10
Turkish Airlines Economy #TK102707:30 - 08:40TRY 3,423
Turkish Airlines Economy 09:20 - 17:10TRY 4,706
Tarom Economy 11:40 - 09:35€ 241.74
Tarom Economy 13:55 - 19:15TRY 3,480
Emirates Economy 15:45 - 13:35TRY 23,352
Turkish Airlines Economy 16:50 - 15:20€ 230.53
Huntur Standard 2X2 18:00 - 03:00€ 27.61
Luks Yonca Seyahat Standard 2X2 20:01 - 01:16€ 23.93
FlixBus Economy 22:00 - 07:00TRY 476

Transportation from Istanbul to Sofia

Facts about the bus from Istanbul to Sofia

Cheapest Bus$24
Fastest Bus9h
Earliest Bus6:00 PM
Latest Bus10:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes3
Distance556 kilometers
Bus CompaniesAlpar Turizm, FlixBus, Huntur

Istanbul to Sofia Destination Reviews

JS
Efficient journey. Driver needs to publicise WIFI password and keep passengers updated in English in regards to timings off toilet breaks. Comfortable seats but not tall enough for tall people. Hurt my neck sleeping. Overall quite satisfied. However the timing is bad. Would prefer to set off later and not arrive at such an awkward hour when nothing is open.
Bus Standard 2X2, Alpar Turizm, Aug 13, 2022
ML
The staff at the Ticket Counter attended to my questions well. I asked for place to keep my luggage, place to sleep. Lobby upstairs was provided, water to drink, massage chair, WCs. Bus was on time. Two bus drivers provided, 2 seats by rows. Beverage to choose from, small water and biscuit provided. Every 3 hours was Toilet breaks and overnight bus was better. Less queue at both sides of Immigrations. We arrived at 4.30am due to less traffic and low season mid May 2022, just after pandemic.
Bus Standard 2X2, Alpar Turizm, May 24, 2022
LS
Incredible journey. Although it took took long at the border (the trip was extended by 2 hours), the staff was very kind, very helpful and cheery the entire time. Will definitely be using Lux Perla again!
Bus Standard 2X1, Lux Perla, Jan 20, 2022
GG
2 hours late in Sofia. Driver very slowly
Bus Standard 2X1, Lux Perla, Jan 9, 2022
4.4
12 customer reviews
5
59%
4
33%
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2
8%
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How to get from Istanbul to Sofia by Bus

Taking a bus to get from Istanbul to Sofia is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. To less traveled destinations, there may be only 1 scheduled trip a day. The most common bus types are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, and premium buses.

It is best to reserve your tickets at least a few days ahead of your travel date. Check our list of bus companies available for online booking offering Istanbul to Sofia tickets. When traveling on weekends and holidays it is recommended to reserve tickets much earlier due to higher numbers of travelers, both vacation-makers and urban workers returning home to their provincial home.

How far is it from Istanbul to Sofia?

Traveling by bus, the distance from Istanbul to Sofia depends on the route taken. Most bus companies travel via expressways or tollways. This may not necessarily be the shortest route but it is the fastest one as normally there is less traffic and no traffic lights.

To get to certain island destinations which are not connected to the mainland by a bridge, buses board large car ferries. Passengers are usually asked to get off the bus, but there is no need to take your luggage from the bus. The travel distance from port to port is added to the total distance.

How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Sofia by Bus?

The estimate travel time from Istanbul to Sofia is about 9h. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Istanbul and Sofia may differ greatly There is usually more traffic between morning until afternoon during weekdays than during weekends.

Another important factor that may affect travel time is the type of bus. Premium or VIP buses are usually faster as they use motorways and call to fewer bus stations (if any) en route. Buses normally make short 10-30-minute breaks after a few hours of continuous travel to allow passengers use bathrooms, stock up on munchies and let bus attendants and the driver have rest.

Some premium buses have onboard toilets and the second driver. Nevertheless, usually they still make en route stops for a quick lunch or fuel refill.

How much does it cost to get from Istanbul to Sofia by Bus?

The ticket price from Istanbul to Sofia can vary depending on the type of buses you choose. For a less expensive ticket consider non-air-conditioned or ordinary buses. Premium or luxury buses are more expensive but you can expect more comfort and some additional services like phone charging ports, personal entertainment system screens and toilets.

Istanbul to Sofia timetable

To help you plan your trip, here is the Istanbul to Sofia timetable of bus departure and arrival times.

Best Rated Companies for this Route

Bus companies differ a lot in quality and service they provide. When choosing a bus company for you travels, do some basic research before you buy your tickets.

Safety is one of the most important aspects to consider. We also recommend you checking reviews on overall service quality of the bus companies serving this route.

Our service only partners with reliable and trustworthy bus companies. We do our best to provide your a choice of the best operators available on each route.