How much is the bus ticket from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

The cheapest bus tickets from Istanbul Europe to Sofia start from $38. The average price for this route is around $62. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus ride from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

The average bus travel time from Istanbul Europe to Sofia is 10h, covering a distance of 498 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 8h and is operated by VIP Arda Tur .

Which bus companies service the Istanbul Europe to Sofia route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 11 buses available per day, including services from Infobus , Metro Bulgaria , Arda Tur , FlixBus , Huntur , Alpar Turizm , Panorama Trans , VIP Arda Tur .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

The earliest bus departs from Istanbul Europe to Sofia at 9:00am. And the latest bus departs at 11:59pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

A bus trip from Istanbul Europe to Sofia generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

What is the best bus company from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Infobus , with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 490 reviews.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Infobus has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.8.

Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is Panorama Trans , with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Panorama Trans , with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Bus Istanbul Europe to Sofia from $34 | Refundable Tickets

Previously seen trips

Next departures for Istanbul Europe to Sofia on November 28
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	3:30pm	Istanbul Havaalani Airport (IST), Istanbul EU	7h	10:30pm	Serdika	No tags
Bus	10:30pm	Esenler Otogar, Istanbul	9h 30m	8:00am	Serdika	No tags
Bus	11:59pm	Esenler Otogar, Istanbul	9h 46m	9:45am	Serdika	No tags
Bus	11:00am	Esenler Otogarı	9h	8:00pm	Serdika	No tags
Bus	11:00pm	Esenler Otogarı	9h	8:00am	Serdika	No tags

Get from Istanbul Europe to Sofia

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 10 hours, and with fares starting at just $38, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11bus per day

10hAverage Duration

498 kmDistance

12kgCO₂ emissions

Where are the popular stops in Istanbul Europe and Sofia?

Stops in Istanbul Europe

A
Esenler Otogarı
Esenler Otogarı, 34035 Bayrampaşa / İstanbul, Turkey
Visit page
B
İstanbul
Altıntepsi, O-3, 34220 , Esenler/İstanbul, , Turkey
C
Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı
Güzeltepe, Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı İstanbul, Türkiye, 34060 Eyüp, Turkey
Visit page
D
Büyükçekmece
Fatih Mahallesi, Rıza Küçükoğlupaşa Cd., 34500 Büyükçekmece/İstanbul, Turkey
Visit page
E
Atakent
Atakent Mahallesi, Kamelya Sk. No:59, 34307 Küçükçekmece/İstanbul, Turkey
F
Harem
Üsküdar Harem Sahil Yolu, 34668 Üsküdar/Harem/İstanbul, , Turkey

Stops in Sofia

A
Serdika
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 108, 1202 Sofia, Bulgaria
Visit page
B
Sofia Airport
Visit page
C
bul. Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov 2
bul. Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov 2, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
D
Central Bus Station - Sofia
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 100, 1202 Tsentralna, Sofia, Bulgaria
E
Central Bus Station
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 100, 1202 Tsentralna, Sofia, Bulgaria
Visit page
F
Knyaginya Maria Luiza
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 65, 1202 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria

Compare bus companies

Infobus

4/5490 reviews

Staff4.6

Timeliness4.4

Cleanliness4.8

Wifi3.8

Metro Bulgaria

3/513 reviews

Staff4

Timeliness1.8

Cleanliness5

Wifi3.4

Arda Tur

3/5257 reviews

Staff3.9

Timeliness3.4

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi1.6

Customers generally found the bus service satisfactory, with positive comments on comfort and wifi. However, some mentioned issues such as lack of strictness in breakstops and difficulties finding bus stations. Delays were also reported, impacting arrival times negatively. Noise disturbances during nighttime travel were noted as well.

Arda Tur Istanbul Europe Sofia recent customer reviews

The bus drivers seemed to not know where the bus station in Plovdiv was. After wandering around for a while they found it. We thought we would arrive at around 8pm but we didn't arrive till almost midnight.

Robert V.

August 5, 2023

The Bus didn't even came ,I had to take another bus , I was to late for the other bus I bocked to Germany , even there I had to Bock other Bus... So too much time and too much money, that how much it costed me

Osama A.

January 11, 2023

Service was super, crossing the boarder nearly impossible. In the night, it was very loud in the bus so that sleeping wasn't able.

Andreas F.

July 30, 2022

FlixBus

3.5/511,470 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Huntur

4/518 reviews

Staff4

Timeliness3.4

Cleanliness3

Wifi2

Alpar Turizm

3.5/548 reviews

Staff4

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.4

Wifi2.3

Panorama Trans

3.5/53 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

VIP Arda Tur

3/5130 reviews

Staff3.4

Timeliness3.3

Cleanliness4

Wifi1.6

Customers enjoy the wide and comfortable seats on the bus, finding it clean and nice for a good price. However, some mention issues with drivers smoking excessively, not paying attention while driving, causing delays or arriving late. Suggestions include better communication from staff about journey progress and restroom breaks.

VIP Arda Tur Istanbul Europe Sofia recent customer reviews

Пътуването много продължи и имаше закъснение с повече от един час при пристигане

Vessela Georgieva G.

July 8, 2024

We booked a direct bus from Istanbul to Sofia and were NOT informed about a layover in the middle of the night, not online, not at the servicedesk and not by the Busdriver. Ended up just past the border in a random place and had to find a new bus ourselves, no help from the driver who just told us to get out and that we should have gotten out earlier.

Misha K.

August 16, 2023

I liked the service at Istanbul, all great. But there was no coffee like on other buses. But the worst was: I was settled in my seat, things were out of my bag etc, then at some Bulgarian town where we stopped I had to quickly pack everything up and move to another bus! Why was I not told we had to change buses there? It was such a rush and I kept thinking I had left something on the first bus: maybe I have. Then, on the second bus, there was no arranged seating so after my careful seat booking I had to sit elsewhere. Noone stored my bags, I had to open the door myself. Plus the driver, obviously expecting international passengers from the first bus, couldn't explain things to people who didn't understand Bulgarian. One guy from Turkey was angrily told he couldn't sit where was sitting, he looked confused. Then, this driver seemed to think he was a racist g car driver and often had to slam on his brakes for various things, like a queue of traffic ahead. I was so glad to get off this bus.

Murray V.

July 6, 2023

BG Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Sindbad

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Istanbul Europe to Sofia by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the bus ticket from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
The cheapest bus tickets from Istanbul Europe to Sofia start from $38. The average price for this route is around $62. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
The average bus travel time from Istanbul Europe to Sofia is 10h, covering a distance of 498 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 8h and is operated by VIP Arda Tur.
Which bus companies service the Istanbul Europe to Sofia route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 11 buses available per day, including services from Infobus, Metro Bulgaria, Arda Tur, FlixBus, Huntur, Alpar Turizm, Panorama Trans, VIP Arda Tur.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
The earliest bus departs from Istanbul Europe to Sofia at 9:00am. And the latest bus departs at 11:59pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
A bus trip from Istanbul Europe to Sofia generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Infobus, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 490 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Infobus has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.8.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is Panorama Trans, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Istanbul Europe to Sofia?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Panorama Trans, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

11-26

$57

11-27

$53

Today

$51

11-29

$51

11-30

$52

12-01

$51

12-02

$51

12-03

$51

The cheapest trip from Istanbul Europe to Sofia was searched and found on Dec 2, 2025 with a price of $51

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Istanbul Europe to Sofia, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $51 to $73 for a bus ticket from Istanbul Europe to Sofia based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $51 which is on 2025-12-02.

Usually Infobus will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.