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Sofia to Istanbul Bus

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08/15/2026
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Sofia to Istanbul by bus

The journey from Sofia to Istanbul by bus is 312.27 mi and takes 9 hr 13 min. There are 26 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:20 AM and the last at 11:59 PM. It is possible to travel from Sofia to Istanbul by bus for as little as $14.57 or as much as $63.77. The best price for this journey is $14.57.

Lowest Price $14.57
Journey Duration 9 hr 13 min
Connection per Day 26
Lowest Price $14.57
Highest Price $63.77
First Departure 12:20 AM
Last Departure 11:59 PM
Distance 312.27 mi
Departure Sofia
Arrival Istanbul
Carriers Metro Bulgaria, Citylines LTD

Price as departure date approaches

Bus companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around $19.58 to $35.59 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 45% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Istanbul

The cheapest Sofia - Istanbul bus tickets can be found for as low as $22.86 if you’re lucky, or $31.29 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $35.88.

Find the best day to travel to Istanbul by bus

When travelling to Istanbul by bus, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Services on board Huntur, FlixBus and City Lines from Sofia to Istanbul
Compare services on board when travelling from Sofia to Istanbul by bus.
Facilities Huntur FlixBus City Lines Metro Turizm Arda Tur
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check check
air_con Air conditioning check check check cross check
luggage Luggage cross check cross check cross
food_and_drink Food and drink cross check cross check check
wifi WiFi cross check cross check check
accessibility Accessibility cross check cross cross cross
bicycle Bicycle cross check cross check check
entertainment_portal Entertainment Portal cross check cross cross cross
mobility_and_wheelchair_services landingPage.services.mobility_and_wheelchair_services cross check cross cross cross

Sofia to Istanbul CO2 Emissions by Bus

Ecology
Train
35.18kg
Bus
37.69kg
Flight
100.51kg
Car
80.41kg

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bus ticket from Sofia to Istanbul?
A bus ticket from Sofia to Istanbul is $42.82. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $14.57.
What's the cheapest bus ticket from Sofia to Istanbul?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Sofia to Istanbul is $14.57. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Sofia and Istanbul by bus?
Sofia to Istanbul is 312.27 mi.
How long does the bus between Sofia and Istanbul take?
Sofia to Istanbul is on average 9 hr 13 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 8 hr 0 min.
Which companies operate from Sofia to Istanbul?
The bus journey from Sofia to Istanbul is covered by 8 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Metro Bulgaria, Citylines LTD , Kâmil Koç, Huntur, FlixBus, Panorama Trans, City Lines, Metro Turizm and Arda Tur.
How many bus connections per day go from Sofia to Istanbul?
Sofia to Istanbul has 26 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first bus from Sofia to Istanbul leave?
The earliest bus from Sofia to Istanbul departs at 12:20 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last bus from Sofia to Istanbul depart?
The latest bus from Sofia to Istanbul departs at 11:59 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Sofia to Istanbul in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest bus ticket we have found is $14.57 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from Sofia to Istanbul?
There are on average 26 direct connection(s) from Sofia to go to Istanbul.
What's the fastest journey time between Sofia to Istanbul by bus?
The fastest journey time by bus between Sofia and Istanbul is 8 hr 0 min.
Is there a direct bus from Sofia to Istanbul?
Yes, there is a direct bus between Sofia and Istanbul.
What are the CO2 emissions for Sofia to Istanbul by bus?
The bus journey from Sofia to Istanbul creates 37.69kg of CO2 emissions.

Go local from Sofia

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Weekend getaways from Sofia

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International routes from Sofia and nearby areas

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