Cheap coach tickets from Sofia to Thessaloniki

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Coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki: Journey Information

There are 9 intercity coaches per day from Sofia to Thessaloniki. Travelling by coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki usually takes around 5 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Union Ivkoni coach can make the trip in 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance
143 mi (231 km)
Shortest duration
4h 45m
Cheapest price
£8.35
Trips per day
9
Most frequent service
Union Ivkoni
Coach lines
3

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Sofia to Thessaloniki Coach Timetable

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How much is a coach ticket from Sofia to Thessaloniki?

Coach tickets for a trip from Sofia to Thessaloniki cost about £13 when you book at the cheapest time, 12 days ahead. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.

Average coach ticket prices from Sofia to Thessaloniki by travel date

£30£20£10NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £18 to £21. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 7 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Thessaloniki this week, coach tickets are available starting at £18.

Average coach ticket prices from Sofia to Thessaloniki by month

£25£20£15£10£5JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only £17. If you're planning to take the coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki during June, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £24. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£25£20£15£10£5

Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £7.95 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Sofia to Thessaloniki?

There are 3 coach lines from Sofia to Thessaloniki available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 6 daily trips, Union Ivkoni usually has the most coaches running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Arda Tur24h 52m£22.65
Tourist Service Holding AD15h£19.14
Union Ivkoni65h 19m£18.53
  • Arda Tur is a Bulgarian intercity coach 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, toilets, complimentary WiFi and power sockets. There are also snacks and drinks available for purchase as well.

  • Book Tourist Service Holding AD from Sofia to Thessaloniki from £17.55. Typically there is one Tourist Service Holding AD service per day from Sofia to Thessaloniki and you can expect on average to pay £19.14 for a Tourist Service Holding AD ticket to Thessaloniki. In Sofia, Tourist Service Holding AD departs to Thessaloniki from Sofia Bus Station Serdika. In Thessaloniki, Tourist Service Holding AD arrives at Thessaloniki Monastiriou.

    An average trip on Tourist Service Holding AD from Sofia to Thessaloniki takes 5 hours.

    At weekends, Tourist Service Holding AD offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay £17.55 for a single ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Thessaloniki.

  • Union Ivkoni was founded in Bulgaria in 1992 and quickly expanded its operations throughout Europe. Popular routes include both shorter travels within one country and long-haul international trips. Their reliable coaches offer amenities to make your trip comfortable, including air conditioning, extra legroom, and power sockets. Union Ivkoni usually operates 6 trips per day on the route from Sofia to Thessaloniki, and the trip usually takes 5 hours and 19 minutes to complete.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Sofia to Thessaloniki

There are 9 scheduled coaches that travel from Sofia to Thessaloniki every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct coaches which you can take the entire route from Sofia to Thessaloniki without transferring.

Trips per day

9

Direct trips

9

The coach takes an average of 5 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 143 miles from Sofia to Thessaloniki. However, the fastest coach only takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

143

Distance (km)

231

The first coach leaves at 6:35 and the last coach leaves at 19:30. To see the times for all coaches from Sofia to Thessaloniki, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

6:35am

Latest coach

7:30pm

Thursday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, travelling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Thursday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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 coach services also offer daily transport to the city. The vast majority of them operate out of the Sofia Central Bus Station.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Sofia?

Main departure station: Serdica Bus Stop

Coaches to Thessaloniki leave from 4 stations in Sofia.

All coach stations in Sofia:

  • Serdica Bus Stop
  • Serdica Bus Station
  • Sofia Bus Station Serdika
  • Airport Departure Terminal 1

Where does the coach arrive in Thessaloniki?

Main arrival station: Macedonia Intercity Bus Station

Coaches arrive in Thessaloniki at 4 stations, depending on which coach line you are travelling with.

Coach stations in Thessaloniki:

  • Macedonia Intercity Bus Station
  • Thessaloniki Train Station Bus Stop
  • Bus Station KTEL
  • Thessaloniki Monastiriou

Need a return trip from Thessaloniki to Sofia?

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