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Cheap bus tickets from Budapest to Sofia

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Budapest to Sofia Bus Schedule

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Bus from Budapest to Sofia: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Budapest to Sofia. Traveling by bus from Budapest to Sofia usually takes around 11 hours and 40 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.

Distance392 mi (631 km)
Shortest duration11h 40m
Cheapest price$69.83
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceCitylines
Bus lines2

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What bus companies travel from Budapest to Sofia?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Budapest to Sofia that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Citylines111h 40m$69.83
Karat-S111h 40m$73.37
  • 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 Karat-S from Budapest to Sofia from $73. Typically there is one Karat-S schedule per day from Budapest to Sofia and you can expect on average to pay for a Karat-S ticket to Sofia. In Budapest, Karat-S departs to Sofia from Üllői út 131 . In Sofia, Karat-S arrives at Serdica Bus Station .

    An average trip on Karat-S from Budapest to Sofia takes 11 hours and 40 minutes .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Budapest to Sofia

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 392 miles from Budapest to Sofia. 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.

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00am. To see the times for all buses from Budapest to Sofia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Budapest to Sofia. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

City Information

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-0

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Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Budapest, Hungary - HUBDT-2

Image credit: Unsplash

As the commercial and cultural hub of Hungary, Budapest is a multi-faceted city that appeals to many different kinds of travelers. The city’s star attraction is the blue Danube, which runs through town, dividing it in two. To explore the river to its fullest, you should go on a boat cruise. This is also a good way to enjoy an unobstructed view of the surrounding architecture. After enjoying the sapphire-colored water of the Danube, take a stroll around the historic Castle Hill quarter, which features cobblestone streets and quaint old buildings. While here, don’t hesitate to visit the area’s iconic Buda Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. For those who do not want to pass up a good photo shoot, Fisherman’s Bastion offers amazing panoramic views.

If you are looking for some unique Hungarian dishes, Arany Kaviar Restaurant offers a great selection. For a more casual experience, Hoppacska is a great choice.

The three main rail stations in Budapest are Keleti, Nyugati, and Déii, which offer access to various other Hungarian and European cities. The main bus station is Népliget and it is located on the edge of Budapest’s popular People’s Park. The main airport in the city is the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

Sofia

Sofia - BGKIE-0

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Sofia - BGKIE-1

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Sofia - BGKIE-2

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 Budapest?

 - HUBDTDEFLX-0

Image credit: Globetrotter19

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Main departure station: Üllői út 131

The station at Üllői út 131 is Budapest's center of intercity bus transport, plus a hub for local bus and subway services that run through the Népliget station. The station itself is large and spacious, so you can expect to find public restrooms as well as a comfortable waiting area with seats. The station's location is slightly south of Budapest's inner city, but there are still many cafes and hotels in the area since the immense People's Park and the MVM Dome are on either side of the station. Many of Budapest's local buses stop here, along with intercity service on lines including FlixBus and Slovak Lines.

All bus stations in Budapest:

  • Üllői út 131

  • Üllői út 131

Where does the bus arrive in Sofia?

Main arrival station: Serdica Bus Station

All buses from Budapest arrive at one main station in Sofia.

All bus stations in Sofia:

  • Serdica Bus Station

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