There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia by train, plane, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Metro to Istanbul Airport, fly
best- Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain
- Fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane IST - SOF
4h 56m$82–272Train
cheapest- Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
15h 25m$15–22Bus via Haskovo
- Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus
- Take the bus from Haskovo to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus
9h 22m$22–41Drive 548.4 km
- Drive from Istanbul Metro to Sofiacar 548.4 km
5h$90–129Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain
- Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane SAW - SOF
5h 19m$112–352Bus
- Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofiabus N1999
10h 14m$26–42Bus #2
- Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia Serdika Bus Stationbus Arda-Tur
10h 37m$84
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia is to train which costs $15 - $22 and takes 15h 25m.
The fastest way to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia is to Metro and fly which takes 4h 56m and costs $80 - $280.
No, there is no direct bus from Istanbul Metro to Sofia station. However, there are services departing from Istanbul and arriving at Sofia Central Bus Station via Haskovo. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 22m.
No, there is no direct train from Istanbul Metro to Sofia. However, there are services departing from Yenikapi and arriving at Sofia via Halkalı. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 25m.
The distance between Istanbul Metro and Sofia is 524 km. The road distance is 548.4 km.
The best way to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia without a car is to bus via Haskovo which takes 9h 22m and costs $21 - $45.
It takes approximately 4h 56m to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia, including transfers.
Istanbul Metro to Sofia bus services, operated by Alpar Turizm, depart from Istanbul station.
Istanbul Metro to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Halkalı station.
The best way to get from Istanbul Metro to Sofia is to bus via Haskovo which takes 9h 22m and costs $21 - $45. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $15 - $22 and takes 15h 25m.
What companies run services between Istanbul Metro, Turkey and Sofia, Bulgaria?
You can take a vehicle from Istanbul Metro to Sofia Central Bus Station via Yenikapi, Esenler Otogar, Istanbul, and Haskovo in around 9h 22m. Alternatively, Turkish Railways (TCDD) operates a train from Halkalı to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $14–20 and the journey takes 13h 40m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Istanbul Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–260
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–240
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepe
- Ave. Duration
- 16 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
Train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Halkalı to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $14–20
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- [email protected]
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
Bus from Istanbul to Haskovo
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $15–22
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
- [email protected]
- Website
- bgrazpisanie.com
Bus from Haskovo to Sofia Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $6–18
- Schedules at
- bgrazpisanie.com
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $81
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia Serdika Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $83
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- [email protected]
- Website
- Huntur
Bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 10h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $24–40
- Website
- Huntur
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
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Related travel guides
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Booking & Getting There
Istanbul Metro to Sofia bus services, operated by Alpar Turizm, arrive at Haskovo station.
Istanbul Metro to Sofia train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul Metro to Sofia is 548 km. It takes approximately 5h to drive from Istanbul Metro to Sofia.
There are 2267+ hotels available in Sofia.


































