Cheap bus tickets from Thessaloniki to Sofia
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Bus from Thessaloniki to Sofia: Journey Information
There are 17 intercity buses per day from Thessaloniki to Sofia. Traveling by bus from Thessaloniki to Sofia usually takes around 5 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Citylines bus can make the trip in 4 hours,
| Distance | 144 mi (231 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $9.86 |
| Trips per day | 17 |
| Most frequent service | Union Ivkoni |
| Bus lines | 4 |
How much is a bus ticket from Thessaloniki to Sofia?
Bus tickets for a trip from Thessaloniki to Sofia cost $20.91 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Thessaloniki to Sofia by month
What bus companies travel from Thessaloniki to Sofia?
There are 4 bus lines from Thessaloniki to Sofia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 10 daily trips, Union Ivkoni 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 | 5 | 4h 59m | $26.39 |
| Citylines | 2 | 4h 54m | $27.79 |
| Tourist Service Holding AD | 1 | 4h 30m | $34.09 |
| Union Ivkoni | 10 | 5h 33m | $18.15 |
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 Thessaloniki to Sofia from $34. Typically there is one Tourist Service Holding AD schedule per day from Thessaloniki to Sofia and you can expect on average to pay for a Tourist Service Holding AD ticket to Sofia. In Thessaloniki, Tourist Service Holding AD departs to Sofia from Thessaloniki Train Station Bus Stop . In Sofia, Tourist Service Holding AD arrives at Sofia Bus Station Serdika .
An average trip on Tourist Service Holding AD from Thessaloniki to Sofia takes 4 hours and 30 minutes , while the fastest available Tourist Service Holding AD trip will get you to Sofia in 4 hours and 0 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 Sofia.
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 10 trips per day on the route from Thessaloniki to Sofia, and the trip usually takes 5 hours and 33 minutes to complete.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Thessaloniki to Sofia
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 144 miles from Thessaloniki to Sofia. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours. 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses 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, 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Thessaloniki to Sofia, 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 Thessaloniki?
Main departure station: Bus Station KTEL
Buses to Sofia leave from 5 stations in Thessaloniki.
All bus stations in Thessaloniki:
Bus Station KTEL
Thessaloniki Train Station Bus Stop
Monastiriou Bus Stop
Macedonia Intercity Bus Station
Thessaloniki Monastiriou
Where does the bus arrive in Sofia?
Main arrival station: Serdica Bus Station
Buses arrive in Sofia at 6 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Sofia:
Serdica Bus Station
Central Bus Station
Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Stop
Airport Departure Terminal 1
Serdica Bus Stop
Sofia Bus Station Serdika
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Need a return trip from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
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