Cheap coach tickets from Sofia to Istanbul

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Coach from Sofia to Istanbul: Journey Information

There are 9 intercity coaches per day from Sofia to Istanbul. Travelling by coach from Sofia to Istanbul usually takes around 9 hours and 7 minutes, but the fastest Arda Tur coach can make the trip in 7 hours.

Distance
314 mi (505 km)
Shortest duration
7h
Cheapest price
£21.66
Trips per day
9
Most frequent service
Arda Tur
Coach lines
3

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Sofia to Istanbul Coach Timetable

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How much is a coach ticket from Sofia to Istanbul?

Coach tickets for a trip from Sofia to Istanbul cost about £27 when you book at the cheapest time, on the day you travel. Opting to take a coach is a wallet-friendly way to make this 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 Istanbul by travel date

£30£20£10NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Sofia to Istanbul in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £28 to £29. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 12 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Istanbul this week, coach tickets are available starting at £28.

Average coach ticket prices from Sofia to Istanbul by month

£50£40£30£20£10JFMAMJJASOND

Travelling from Sofia to Istanbul by coach will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, coach ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £30 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

£50£40£30£20£100

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. If you're looking for cheap coach tickets, booking in advance is the way to go.

What coach companies travel from Sofia to Istanbul?

There are 3 coach lines from Sofia to Istanbul available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Arda Tur 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 Tur59h 11m£26.85
Citylines39h 9m£32.62
Huntur Turizm18h 6m£25.18
  • 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.

  • Citylines, a prominent Bulgarian coach company based in Sofia, offers an extensive network of routes connecting cities within Bulgaria and beyond, operating numerous daily trips. The company's services extend to countries such as Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and Germany, providing convenient travel options for passengers. One of Citylines' popular routes is the 12-hour journey from Sofia to Athens, which runs twice daily, and passengers can enjoy amenities such as air conditioning, onboard toilets, and Wi-Fi connectivity for a comfortable and convenient travel experience.

  • Huntur Turizm is a prominent Turkish coach company based in Istanbul, specializing in passenger transport since 1969. It has established itself as one of the leading companies in the country, offering coach journeys to notable destinations such as Razgrad, Rousse, Kubrat, and Haskovo. On-board amenities include film screenings, Wi-Fi connectivity, and beverage services.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Sofia to Istanbul

There are 9 scheduled coaches that travel from Sofia to Istanbul 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 Istanbul without transferring.

Trips per day

9

Direct trips

9

The coach takes an average of 9 hours and 7 minutes to cover the 314 miles from Sofia to Istanbul. However, the fastest coach only takes 7 hours. 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)

314

Distance (km)

505

The first coach leaves at 0:20 and the last coach leaves at 23:59. To see the times for all coaches from Sofia to Istanbul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

12:20am

Latest coach

11:59pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Istanbul at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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

Sunday

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 Station

Coaches to Istanbul leave from 3 stations in Sofia.

All coach stations in Sofia:

  • Serdica Bus Station
  • Sofia Bus Station Serdika
  • Airport Arrivals Terminal 2

Where does the coach arrive in Istanbul?

Main arrival station: Istanbul Esenler Otogari

These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Istanbul.

Coach stations in Istanbul:

  • Istanbul Esenler Otogari
  • Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı

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