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How to get fromInstabul to Sofiaby bus, train, car, or plane

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There are 7 ways to get from Instabul to Sofia by bus, train, car, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus via Haskovo

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Haskovo Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus Group Plus 1705 / ...
    8h
    $33–49

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus bus Citylines 19 / ...
    9h
    $16–40

  3. Train

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    15h 34m
    $17–24

  4. Drive 541.4 km

    1. Drive from Instabul to Sofiacar car 541.4 km
    4h 51m
    $86–124

  5. Metro, Metro to Istanbul, fly

    1. Take the train from Esenler Otogar to Yenikapitrain train
    2. Take the train from Yenikapi to Gayrettepetrain train
    3. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    5h 4m
    $103–253

  6. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    5h 28m
    $123–294

  7. Bus to Burgas Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Burgasbus bus
    2. Fly from Burgas Airport (BOJ) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane BOJ - SOF
    8h 17m
    $87–219

Instabul to Sofia by bus

Calendar84Weekly Buses
Duration9hAverage Duration
Ticket$16Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Instabul to Sofia.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 566.7 km
  • Duration: 8h

What companies run services between Instabul, Turkey and Sofia, Bulgaria?

You can take a bus from Istanbul to Sofia Central Bus Station via Haskovo Central Bus Station in around 8h. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $15–21 and the journey takes 13h 40m.

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Bus operators

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