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ITIstanbul to Sofia Train & Bus Tickets
From Istanbul (Turkey) to Sofia (Bulgaria) · about 555 km
See prices for Istanbul → Sofia
Compare all available departures and find the cheapest ticket.
Search Prices →Train or bus? What recent searches show
Fares and timetables seen in recent TransitScanner searches for Istanbul to Sofia, side by side.
| Bus | |
|---|---|
| Cheapest fare seen | €37.99 for travel on 1 Nov 2026 (seen 29 Oct 2026) |
| Typical journey time | about 8 h 45 min (25 journeys) |
| Sold by | FlixBus |
| Departures per day listed | 2 (median of 3 days) |
No recent train fares were seen for this route; search a date to check.
Last checked 1 Nov 2026. This is what searches saw, not a live quote: fares change, and the price at the seller's checkout is the one that counts.
Istanbul to Sofia: what to expect
Istanbul and Sofia are about 555 kilometres apart. TransitScanner compares the train and bus options sold on this route across many sellers, so fares, journey times and companies can be seen side by side.
This is an international route from Turkey to Bulgaria. Carry valid travel documents (passport or EU ID card where applicable) for border checks. At 555 km this is a long-distance journey.
Fares are asked of the sellers on every search; the price at their checkout is the one that counts.
How to find cheap Istanbul–Sofia tickets
- Book early: fares often rise as the departure date approaches.
- Fares often differ between weekdays and times of day, so compare several dates.
- Use the multi-date scanner to find the cheapest day in a week or month.
- Compare direct and connecting options: a change can be cheaper, a direct journey is usually quicker.
About Sofia
- Sofia's motto is 'Ever growing, never ageing'; Constantine the Great called ancient Serdica 'my Rome'. (Source: Wikipedia)
- Sofia's Boyana Church, UNESCO-listed since 1979, has 89 scenes with 240 human figures on its walls. (Source: Wikipedia)
- Sofia lies at the foot of Vitosha mountain and is known for its 49 mineral and thermal springs. (Source: Wikipedia)
FAQ: Istanbul to Sofia
How long does the journey from Istanbul to Sofia take?
In recent searches the typical journey took about 8 h 45 min by bus (median of the journeys seen, last checked 1 Nov 2026).
What is the cheapest ticket from Istanbul to Sofia?
The lowest fare seen recently is €37.99 by bus (FlixBus), for travel on 1 Nov 2026 (seen 29 Oct 2026). Fares change daily: search your date to compare current train and bus prices.
Which companies sell tickets from Istanbul to Sofia?
Recent searches showed journeys sold by FlixBus.
How many departures are there per day between Istanbul and Sofia?
Recent searches listed a median of 2 bus departures per day.