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

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There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul 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

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus Arda-Tur
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Samokovbus bus
    10h 5m
    $31–67

  2. Train, bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Pazardjiktrain train
    2. Take the train from Pazardjik to Kostenetstrain train Ic / ...
    3. Take the bus from Kostenets to Samokovbus bus
    15h 58m
    $14–25

  3. Drive  527.8 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Samokovcar car 527.8 km
    5h 18m
    $84–121

  4. Fly from Istanbul, train

    1. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    2. Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Kostenetstrain train
    6h 19m
    $89–266

  5. Bus via İstanbul Esenler bus station

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus FlixBus N1999
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Samokovbus bus
    10h 25m
    $17–38

  6. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus
    2. Take the train from Plovdiv to Kostenetstrain train Ic / ...
    3. Take the bus from Kostenets to Samokovbus bus
    10h 25m
    $15–37

  7. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly, train

    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
    3. Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Kostenetstrain train
    6h 39m
    $114–356

Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$83Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Istanbul to Sofia.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 535.3 km
  • Duration: 10h 5m

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

You can take a bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Samokov via Plovdiv Bus Station South and Plovdiv in around 10h 5m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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