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How to get fromSofia to Istanbulby bus, train, car, or plane

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There are 7 ways to get from Sofia to Istanbul 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 Samokov to Plovdivbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus bus Citylines 40 / ...
    9h 30m
    ₺1,531–3,628

  2. Bus, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Samokov to Kostenetsbus bus
    2. Take the train from Kostenets to Pazardjiktrain train Ic / ...
    3. Take the train from Pazardjik to Halkalıtrain train
    13h 17m
    ₺765–3,787

  3. Drive 532.1 km

    1. Drive from Samokov to Istanbulcar car 532.1 km
    5h 10m
    ₺4,008–5,789

  4. Train, fly to Istanbul

    1. Take the train from Kostenets to Iskarsko Shosetrain train
    2. Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)plane plane SOF - IST
    6h 10m
    ₺4,880–11,244

  5. Bus, train via Plovdiv

    1. Take the bus from Samokov to Kostenetsbus bus
    2. Take the train from Kostenets to Plovdivtrain train Ic / ...
    3. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Istanbulbus bus
    9h 37m
    ₺1,111–1,872

  6. Bus via Bayrampaşa

    1. Take the bus from Samokov to Plovdivbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşabus bus
    11h 26m
    ₺1,373–2,270

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

    1. Take the train from Kostenets to Iskarsko Shosetrain train
    2. Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)plane plane SOF - SAW
    3. Take the train from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesitrain train
    6h 13m
    ₺6,183–14,267

Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul (IST) flights

Calendar29Weekly Planes
Duration1h 56mAverage Duration
Ticket₺4,820Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Sofia to Istanbul.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 537.4 km
  • Duration: 9h 30m

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

You can take a bus from Samokov to Istanbul Büyük Otogari via Plovdiv and Plovdiv Hristo Botev in around 9h 30m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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