Rome2Rio

How to get fromIstanbul Otogar to Sofiaby bus, train, car, or plane

Find Transport to Sofia

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul Otogar 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
    $33–48

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Büyük Otogari to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus bus Citylines 19 / ...
    9h
    $15–40

  3. Train

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain train
    15h 34m
    $16–24

  4. Drive  541.4 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul Otogar to Sofiacar car 541.4 km
    4h 50m
    $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
    $88–263

  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
    $123–374

  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
    7h 58m
    $114–277

Istanbul Otogar to Sofia by bus

Calendar84Weekly Buses
Duration9hAverage Duration
Ticket$15Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

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

What companies run services between Istanbul Otogar, 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 $14–21 and the journey takes 13h 40m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Booking & Getting There