There are 6 ways to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul by plane, bus, rideshare, car, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Istanbul
best- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)plane SOF - IST
2h 31m₺4,826–10,337Bus via Централна Гара
cheapest- Take the bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus stationbus FlixBus N1999
9h 41m₺750–1,900Bus
- Take the bus from Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler Otogaribus Arda-Tur
7h 30m₺2,300–3,500Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Sofia-SOF to Istanbul543.7 km
4h 56mDrive 543.7 km
- Drive from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbulcar 543.7 km
4h 56m₺4,103–5,927Fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Metro
- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane SOF - SAW
- Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesitrain
2h 33m₺6,279–14,062
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul is to bus via Централна Гара which costs 750 ₺ - 1.900 ₺ and takes 9h 41m.
The fastest way to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul is to fly which takes 2h 31m and costs 4.800 ₺ - 11.000 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station station and arriving at Istanbul Esenler Otogari. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 30m.
The distance between Sofia Airport (SOF) and Istanbul is 511 km. The road distance is 543.7 km.
The best way to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 7h 30m and costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.500 ₺.
It takes approximately 2h 31m to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul, including transfers.
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul bus services, operated by Arda Tur, depart from Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station.
The best way to get from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul is to fly which takes 2h 31m and costs 4.800 ₺ - 11.000 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.500 ₺ and takes 7h 30m.
Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul bus services, operated by Arda Tur, arrive at Istanbul Esenler Otogari station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul is 544 km. It takes approximately 4h 56m to drive from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul.
What companies run services between Sofia Airport (SOF), Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Turkish Airlines and Aegean Airlines fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST) 4 times a day. Alternatively, Arda Tur operates a bus from Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler Otogari once daily. Tickets cost ₺2,300–3,500 and the journey takes 7h 30m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺4,800–10,000
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- ₺6,000–11,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,800–12,000
- Phone
- +90 850 252 88 00
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.istanbul
Train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- ₺42
- Schedules at
- metro.istanbul
#/media/File:M5_K%C4%B1s%C4%B1kl%C4%B1_Metro_%C4%B0stasyonu.jpg "Uskudar-Cekmekoy Metro train")
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station to Istanbul Esenler Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,300–3,500
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- [email protected]
- Website
- flixbus.com.tr
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.tr
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- [email protected]
- Website
- alparturizm.com.tr
Bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,900
- Website
- https://www.alparturizm.com.tr/en/
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Sofia-SOF to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 56m
- Frequency
- On demand
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More Questions & Answers
Book your Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul bus tickets online with Distribusion.
There are 4439+ hotels available in Istanbul.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Sofia Airport (SOF) and Istanbul. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.