There are 6 ways to get from Sofia to Ankara by plane, bus, train, 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.
Fly
best- Fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)plane SOF - ESB
7h 1m₺6,432–11,272Train via Ankara Gar
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Istanbul(Halkali)train Ic
- Take the train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Ankara Gartrain Hst / ...
21h 7m₺1,204–1,718Bus
- Take the bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus Citylines 40 / ...
- Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ankarabus
15h 35m₺2,349–3,600Train
- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
- Take the train from Halkali to Ankaratrain Yht / ...
17h 50m₺1,454–5,167Drive 993.2 km
- Drive from Sofia to Ankaracar 993.2 km
8h 57m₺7,633–11,025Train via Istanbul
- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
- Take the train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Ankaratrain Yht / ...
18h 7m₺1,546–5,330
Sofia to Ankara by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Ankara is to train via Ankara Gar which costs 1.200 ₺ - 1.800 ₺ and takes 21h 7m.
The fastest way to get from Sofia to Ankara is to fly which takes 7h 1m and costs 6.000 ₺ - 12.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Sofia station to Ankara. However, there are services departing from Sofia Serdica Bus Station and arriving at Ankara via Istanbul Otogari. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 35m.
No, there is no direct train from Sofia to Ankara. However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Ankara via Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 17h 50m.
The distance between Sofia and Ankara is 892 km. The road distance is 993.2 km.
The best way to get from Sofia to Ankara without a car is to bus which takes 15h 35m and costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.600 ₺.
It takes approximately 7h 1m to get from Sofia to Ankara, including transfers.
Sofia to Ankara bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Sofia Serdica Bus Station.
Sofia to Ankara train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), depart from Sofia station.
The best way to get from Sofia to Ankara is to fly which takes 7h 1m and costs 6.000 ₺ - 12.000 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 2.300 ₺ - 3.600 ₺ and takes 15h 35m, you could also train, which costs 1.400 ₺ - 5.500 ₺ and takes 17h 50m.
What companies run services between Sofia, Bulgaria and Ankara, Turkey?
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Ankara via Istanbul Otogari in around 15h 35m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport via Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺7,500–12,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,168
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Double Room
- ₺2,313
- Single Room
- ₺4,168
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,034
Train from Halkali to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺700–1,000
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,168
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Double Room
- ₺2,313
- Single Room
- ₺4,168
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,034
Train from Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 29m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Ankara Gar
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–1,100
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,800–2,400
- Website
- Citylines
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
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More Questions & Answers
Sofia to Ankara bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Sofia to Ankara train services, operated by Turkish Railways (TCDD), arrive at Halkalı station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sofia to Ankara is 993 km. It takes approximately 8h 57m to drive from Sofia to Ankara.
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