Facts about the bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki
| Cheapest Bus | $16 |
| Fastest Bus | 4h 55m |
| Earliest Bus | 7:30 AM |
| Latest Bus | 7:00 PM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 6 |
| Distance | 184 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | Citylines, Union Ivkoni International |
Buses from Sofia to Thessaloniki
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Sofia to Thessaloniki Destination Reviews
SA
Svyatoslav AAll great! Thank you for your service 🙏
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni International , Sep 1, 2025
A
Anonymous The coach was clean, the seats were rather confortable and the AC worked. No communication whatsoever from the driver (when/where/for how long we would take a break; why were we almost 1 hour late before reaching the traffic jams around Athens, generating a total delay of almost 2 hours..).
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Arda Tur (Arda Tur), Mar 22, 2025
K
Kathryn Excellent service. On time and comfortable. The bus was clean, and comfortable. The driver was courteous and good. I don't think there was a bathroom on the bus. Even though we stopped several times, it would have been helpful to have had a toilet.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Arda Tur (Arda Tur), Aug 12, 2023
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Anonymous Old bus. Good driver. Uncomfortable. No shelf in front of me.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Citylines, Aug 2, 2023
V
Volha Nice bus and good driver, but no WI-FI. Departed and arrived on time. No Wi-Fi.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Jul 21, 2023
M
Michael Easy bus ride. Comfortable ride.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, May 26, 2023
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Anonymous The driver was smoking inside the bus, he was kinda rude and watched videos with high volume.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Dec 22, 2022
A
Anonymous Excellent experience except .. The only negative thing was that we had to wait 40 minutes in a station where we supposed to stay only for 10 minutes as a driver told us. The reason was we were waiting some passengers to come. This really ruined the trip as it is really annoying when 20 or so passengers have to wait some irresponsible persons. Everyone was upset and even a lady did get late on purpose on the next bus stop.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Nov 1, 2022
Sofia to Thessaloniki Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citylines | Standard AC | 07:00 | 11:45 | $26.66 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 07:30 | 13:00 | $9.95 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 10:00 | 14:50 | $26.08 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 13:00 | 17:55 | $26.08 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 16:30 | 22:15 | $9.95 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 17:00 | 22:30 | $26.08 | |
Tourist Service Holding AD | Standard AC | 18:00 | 23:00 | $34.81 | |
Citylines | Standard AC | 18:30 | 23:55 | $26.66 | |
Citylines | Standard AC | 19:00 | 00:25 | $26.66 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 20:00 | 00:45 | $34.68 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 20:30 | 02:00 | $10.92 |
How to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki by Bus
Taking a bus to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki 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 Sofia to Thessaloniki 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 Sofia to Thessaloniki?
Traveling by bus, the distance from Sofia to Thessaloniki 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 Sofia to Thessaloniki by Bus?
The estimate travel time from Sofia to Thessaloniki is about 4h 55m. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Sofia and Thessaloniki 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 Sofia to Thessaloniki by Bus?
The ticket price from Sofia to Thessaloniki 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.
Sofia to Thessaloniki timetable
To help you plan your trip, here is the Sofia to Thessaloniki 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.
Transportation from Sofia to Thessaloniki
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Buses$ 15.33
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Flights$ 132.64
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Taxis$ 284.14
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available
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Vans are not available