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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Budapest to Sofia. Traveling by bus from Budapest to Sofia usually takes around 21 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Karat-S bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 40 minutes.
Distance | 392 mi (631 km) |
Shortest duration | 11h 40m |
Cheapest price | $65.75 |
Trips per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus |
Bus lines | 3 |
How much is a bus ticket from Budapest to Sofia?
$90.07 is the average price of a bus ticket from Budapest to Sofia. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
What bus companies travel from Budapest to Sofia?
There are 3 bus lines from Budapest to Sofia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 daily trips, FlixBus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Arda Tur | 1 | 12h 30m | $124.05 |
FlixBus | 7 | 23h 19m | $101.54 |
Karat-S | 2 | 19h 29m | $132.91 |
Arda Tur is a Bulgarian intercity bus company serving a large number of cities in Bulgaria as well as destinations across Europe, like Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. Onboard, you’ll find extra legroom, air conditioning, restrooms, complimentary WiFi and power outlets. There are also snacks and drinks available for purchase as well.
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 7 trips from Budapest to Sofia, and usually makes the trip in about 23 hours and 19 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Book Karat-S from Budapest to Sofia from $96. There are 2 Karat-S schedules from Budapest to Sofia and you can expect on average to pay for a Karat-S ticket to Sofia. In Budapest, Karat-S departs to Sofia from Üllői út 131 and no other station. In Sofia, Karat-S arrives at Central Bus Station and 1 other station.
An average trip on Karat-S from Budapest to Sofia takes 19 hours and 29 minutes , while the fastest available Karat-S trip will get you to Sofia in 11 hours and 40 minutes .
On weekends, Karat-S offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Sofia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 21 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 631 kilometers from Budapest to Sofia. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 40 minutes. 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Budapest to Sofia for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Budapest to Sofia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Budapest
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
As the commercial and cultural hub of Hungary, Budapest is a multi-faceted city that appeals to many different kinds of travelers. 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 Déii, 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.
Sofia
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Budapest?
Image credit: Globetrotter19
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Üllői út 131
The station at Üllői út 131 is Budapest's center 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 restrooms 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
Etele tér
Üllői út 131
Airport Terminal 2A
Budapest Népliget M
Where does the bus arrive in Sofia?
Image credit: VasenkaPhotography
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Central Bus Station
The Central Bus Station Mariya Luiza is in the heart of Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city. Buses here run a regular service to Chisinau in Moldova, stopping at other Bulgarian cities on the way. There are also long-distance services going as far as Sunny Beach, Thessaloniki, and even Istanbul. The Central Bus station is located right next to the Central Railway Station, which has a waiting area and cafe. The Bus Station is also a short walk to the city center, which has a variety of major shops, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Bus stations in Sofia:
Central Bus Station
Serdica Bus Station
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