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Budapest to Sofia bus

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Budapest - Sofia Bus Schedule

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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.

Distance392 mi (631 km)
Shortest duration11h 40m
Cheapest price$65.75
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus
Bus lines3

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

$135$108$81$54$27AMJJASONDJFM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Budapest to Sofia, mark your calendar for February. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $92. However, taking the bus from Budapest to Sofia during July is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $134. The best way to find deals on a trip in July is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Arda Tur112h 30m$124.05
FlixBus723h 19m$101.54
Karat-S219h 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.

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Budapest to Sofia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

City Information

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-2

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

Sofia - BGKIE-0

Image credit: Pixabay

Sofia - BGKIE-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Sofia - BGKIE-2

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?

 - HUBDTDEFLX-0

Image credit: Globetrotter19

Link to image attribution

Main 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?

Central Bus Station -{"city":"Sofia","country":"BG","postal":"","state":"","street1":"Mariya Luiza, predgarov ploshtad Blvd"} - BGKIEBGRVP-0

Image credit: VasenkaPhotography

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Main 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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