Cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Budapest

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Bus from Sofia to Budapest: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Sofia to Budapest. Travelling by bus from Sofia to Budapest usually takes around 11 hours and 30 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.

Distance
392 mi (631 km)
Shortest duration
11h 30m
Cheapest price
$117.24
Trips per day
1
Most frequent service
Karat-S
Bus lines
1

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Sofia to Budapest Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Sofia to Budapest?

Bus tickets for a trip from Sofia to Budapest cost about $117 when you book at the cheapest time, 4 days ahead. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$25

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance is the best way to find cheap bus tickets, even if it’s only by a few days.

What bus companies travel from Sofia to Budapest?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Sofia to Budapest. Karat-S is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Karat-S111h 30m$121.69
  • Book Karat-S from Sofia to Budapest from $117.24. Typically there is one Karat-S schedule per day from Sofia to Budapest and you can expect on average to pay $121.69 for a Karat-S ticket to Budapest. In Sofia, Karat-S departs to Budapest from Serdica Bus Station. In Budapest, Karat-S arrives at Üllői út 131.

    An average trip on Karat-S from Sofia to Budapest takes 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Sofia to Budapest

There is usually only one bus per day from Sofia to Budapest. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

1

Direct trips

1

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 631 kilometres from Sofia to Budapest. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

392

Distance (km)

631

There is usually only one bus per day from Sofia to Budapest. It leaves the station in Sofia at 9:00 a.m. each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

Earliest bus

9:00am

Latest bus

9:00am

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

Most crowded

Thursday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Sofia

Sofia - BGKIE-0Sofia - BGKIE-1Sofia - BGKIE-2

The Bulgarian capital of Sofia lies in the Sofia Valley at the foot of Vitosha mountain. Known for its vast history stretching over seven millennia, Sofia is one of Europe's oldest cities, making for a metropolis where long-standing traditions meet modern entertainment.

Sofia's most iconic and popular tourist destination is the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Completed in 1912 and built as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War, the cathedral's crypt is open to visitors and has a vast collection of religious icons.

Because of Sofia's fascinatingly long history, it is no surprise that the city is filled with various historic sites and era-defining buildings. The Rotunda Church of St. George is one such place and is said to be the oldest building in Sofia. This ruin dates back to the 4th century, and the fact alone that it has remained mostly unscathed since then is reason enough to visit.

Sofia has also developed a vibrant contemporary scene, with many festivals and events taking place annually, including the internationally prominent Sofia Independent Film Festival and the GuitArt Festival.

Sofia can be easily reached by air via its conveniently located international airport, as well as by rail from various cities in nearby countries, including Istanbul, Belgrade and Bucharest. Various international and national bus services also offer daily transportation to the city. The vast majority of them operate out of the Sofia Central Bus Station.

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-0Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-1Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-2

As the commercial and cultural hub of Hungary, Budapest is a multi-faceted city that appeals to many different kinds of travellers. The city’s star attraction is the blue Danube, which runs through town, dividing it in two. To explore the river to its fullest, you should go on a boat cruise. This is also a good way to enjoy an unobstructed view of the surrounding architecture. After enjoying the sapphire-colored water of the Danube, take a stroll around the historic Castle Hill quarter, which features cobblestone streets and quaint old buildings. While here, don’t hesitate to visit the area’s iconic Buda Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. For those who do not want to pass up a good photo shoot, Fisherman’s Bastion offers amazing panoramic views.

If you are looking for some unique Hungarian dishes, Arany Kaviar Restaurant offers a great selection. For a more casual experience, Hoppacska is a great choice.

The three main rail stations in Budapest are Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli, which offer access to various other Hungarian and European cities. The main bus station is Népliget and it is located on the edge of Budapest’s popular People’s Park. The main airport in the city is the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Sofia?

Main departure station: Serdica Bus Station

Most buses depart from the main station in Sofia.

All bus stations in Sofia:

  • Serdica Bus Station

Where does the bus arrive in Budapest?

Main arrival station: Üllői út 131

 - HUBDTDEFLX-0

The station at Üllői út 131 is Budapest's centre of intercity bus transport, plus a hub for local bus and subway services that run through the Népliget station. The station itself is large and spacious, so you can expect to find public washrooms as well as a comfortable waiting area with seats. The station's location is slightly south of Budapest's inner city, but there are still many cafes and hotels in the area since the immense People's Park and the MVM Dome are on either side of the station. Many of Budapest's local buses stop here, along with intercity service on lines including FlixBus and Slovak Lines.

All bus stations in Budapest:

  • Üllői út 131

Need a return trip from Budapest to Sofia?

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