Cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Thessaloniki
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Sofia to Thessaloniki Bus Schedule
Bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki: Journey Information
There are 14 intercity buses per day from Sofia to Thessaloniki. Traveling by bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki usually takes around 5 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Union Ivkoni bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 144 mi (231 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 30m |
| Cheapest price | NOK 112.51 |
| Trips per day | 14 |
| Most frequent service | Arda Tur |
| Bus lines | 4 |
What bus companies travel from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
There are 4 bus lines from Sofia to Thessaloniki available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 6 daily trips, Arda Tur 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 | 6 | 5h 15m | NOK 308.46 |
| Citylines | 2 | 5h 6m | NOK 357.71 |
| Tourist Service Holding AD | 1 | 5h 0m | NOK 392.51 |
| Union Ivkoni | 5 | 5h 28m | NOK 208.64 |
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.
Citylines, a prominent Bulgarian bus 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 restrooms, and Wi-Fi connectivity for a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
Book Tourist Service Holding AD from Sofia to Thessaloniki from NOK 389. Typically there is one Tourist Service Holding AD schedule per day from Sofia to Thessaloniki and you can expect on average to pay 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 Train Station Bus Stop .
An average trip on Tourist Service Holding AD from Sofia to Thessaloniki takes 5 hours and 0 minutes , while the fastest available Tourist Service Holding AD trip will get you to Thessaloniki in 4 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, Tourist Service Holding AD offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way 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 buses offer amenities to make your trip comfortable, including air conditioning, extra legroom, and power outlets. Union Ivkoni usually operates 5 trips per day on the route from Sofia to Thessaloniki, and the trip usually takes 5 hours and 28 minutes to complete.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 17 minutes to cover the 144 miles from Sofia to Thessaloniki. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 30 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 Sofia to Thessaloniki 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Sofia to Thessaloniki, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
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 Sofia?
Main departure station: Serdica Bus Station
Buses to Thessaloniki leave from 5 stations in Sofia.
All bus stations in Sofia:
Serdica Bus Station
Serdica Bus Stop
Central Bus Station
Sofia Bus Station
Sofia Bus Station Serdika
Where does the bus arrive in Thessaloniki?
Main arrival station: Bus Station KTEL
Buses arrive in Thessaloniki at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Thessaloniki:
Bus Station KTEL
Thessaloniki Train Station Bus Stop
Monastiriou Bus Stop
Thessaloniki Monastiriou
Macedonia Intercity Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Thessaloniki to Sofia?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.