Sofia to Istanbul Train & Bus Tickets

Typical figures (indicative)

Buses on this route have typically taken about 7–8 hours, with fares from about €9. We have no recent train or bus fares for Sofia to Istanbul to show, so treat these as a rough guide and search a date for current prices.

Sofia to Istanbul: what to expect

Sofia and Istanbul 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 Bulgaria to Turkey. 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 Sofia–Istanbul 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.

FAQ: Sofia to Istanbul

How long does the journey from Sofia to Istanbul take?
Roughly 7–8 hours by bus (indicative), over about 555 km. Train times depend on the operator and the day, so search a date for exact times.

What is the cheapest ticket from Sofia to Istanbul?
Fares vary by date and operator. Buses on this route have typically started from around €9 (indicative). Search your date to compare current train and bus prices.