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₺6,291–10,924Train
cheapest- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
- Take the train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Ankara Gartrain Hst
17h 50m₺1,454–5,107Bus via Maltepe
- Take the bus from Sofia to İstanbul Esenler bus stationbus FlixBus N1999
- Take the bus from İstanbul Dudullu bus station to Ankara bus stationbus FlixBus KK0604 / ...
15h 22m₺1,595–3,065Drive 993.2 km
- Drive from Sofia to Ankaracar 993.2 km
8h 56m₺7,462–10,778Bus
- 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 #2
- Take the train from Sofia to Halkalıtrain
- Take the train from Halkali to Ankaratrain Yht / ...
17h 50m₺1,454–5,107
Sofia to Ankara by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Ankara is to bus via Maltepe which costs 1.500 ₺ - 3.100 ₺ and takes 15h 22m.
The fastest way to get from Sofia to Ankara is to fly which takes 7h 1m and costs 6.000 ₺ - 11.000 ₺.
No, there is no direct bus from Sofia to Ankara station. However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Ankara bus station via İstanbul Esenler bus station and İstanbul Dudullu bus station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 22m.
No, there is no direct train from Sofia to Ankara. However, there are services departing from Sofia and arriving at Ankara Gar via Istanbul(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 via Maltepe which takes 15h 22m and costs 1.500 ₺ - 3.100 ₺.
It takes approximately 7h 1m to get from Sofia to Ankara, including transfers.
Sofia to Ankara bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, depart from Sofia 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 ₺ - 11.000 ₺. Alternatively, you can bus via Maltepe, which costs 1.500 ₺ - 3.100 ₺ and takes 15h 22m, 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 to Ankara bus station via İstanbul Esenler bus station and İstanbul Dudullu bus station in around 15h 22m.
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport via Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₺7,500–11,000
- Website
- ajet.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport via Antalya
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- When
- Tuesday, Saturday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- ₺2,800–14,000
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from Sofia Airport to Ankara Esenboğa International Airport via Sabiha Gokcen
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- ₺2,200–12,000
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- [email protected]
- Website
- tcdd.gov.tr
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,108
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺2,280
- Single Room
- ₺4,108
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,005
Train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Ankara Gar
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺700–1,000
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
Train from Sofia to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺750–4,108
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/en
- Double Room
- ₺2,280
- Single Room
- ₺4,108
- Four Person Room
- ₺2,005
Train from Halkali to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺700–1,000
- Website
- https://www.tcdd.gov.tr/lang/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
Bus from İstanbul Dudullu bus station to Ankara bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 59m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺600–900
- 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/
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- [email protected]
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,700–2,400
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.fr
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,600–4,400
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 51m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,300–3,600
- Website
- https://ardatur.bg/en/
- Phone
- +90 212 658 00 61
- [email protected]
- Website
- huntur.com.tr
Bus from Sofia Serdica Bus Station to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 54m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,200–1,900
- Website
- https://www.huntur.com.tr/?l=EN
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- metroturizm.com.tr
Bus from Istanbul Otogari to Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,700
- Website
- https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en
- Standard
- ₺1,100–1,700
Want to know more about travelling around Türkiye
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
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Sofia to Ankara bus services, operated by Kamil Koç, arrive at İstanbul Esenler bus 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 56m to drive from Sofia to Ankara.
Book your Sofia to Ankara bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 265+ hotels available in Ankara.




































