Cheap coach tickets from Istanbul to Sofia

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Coach from Istanbul to Sofia: Journey Information

There are 11 intercity coaches per day from Istanbul to Sofia. Travelling by coach from Istanbul to Sofia usually takes around 9 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Arda Tur coach can make the trip in 7 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance
314 mi (505 km)
Shortest duration
7h 35m
Cheapest price
NOK 273.20
Trips per day
11
Most frequent service
Arda Tur
Coach lines
3

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Istanbul to Sofia Coach Timetable

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How much is a coach ticket from Istanbul to Sofia?

Coach tickets for a trip from Istanbul to Sofia cost about NOK 350 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 Istanbul to Sofia by travel date

NOK 375NOK 250NOK 125NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Istanbul to Sofia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 368 to NOK 368. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 9 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Sofia this week, coach tickets are available starting at NOK 368.

Average coach ticket prices from Istanbul to Sofia by month

NOK 425NOK 340NOK 255NOK 170NOK 85JFMAMJJASOND

Travelling from Istanbul to Sofia 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 NOK 387 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

NOK 400NOK 320NOK 240NOK 160NOK 800

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 Istanbul to Sofia?

There are 3 coach lines from Istanbul to Sofia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 6 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 Tur69h 6mNOK 338.32
Citylines49h 21mNOK 426.82
Huntur Turizm19h 41mNOK 317.13
  • 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 Istanbul to Sofia

There are 11 scheduled coaches that travel from Istanbul to Sofia 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 Istanbul to Sofia without transferring.

Trips per day

11

Direct trips

11

The coach takes an average of 9 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 314 miles from Istanbul to Sofia. However, the fastest coach only takes 7 hours and 35 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)

314

Distance (km)

505

The first coach leaves at 9:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:59. To see the times for all coaches from Istanbul to Sofia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

9:00am

Latest coach

11:59pm

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Tuesday

Least crowded

Saturday

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 Istanbul?

Main departure station: Istanbul Esenler Otogari

Istanbul has two coach stations with service to Sofia.

All coach stations in Istanbul:

  • Istanbul Esenler Otogari
  • Esenler Otogarı Otoparkı

Where does the coach arrive in Sofia?

Main arrival station: Serdica Bus Station

Coaches arrive in Sofia at 3 stations, depending on which coach line you are travelling with.

Coach stations in Sofia:

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

Need a return trip from Sofia to Istanbul?

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