Sofia to Istanbul Airport bus with City Lines

Sat 13 Dec
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City Lines
Infobus
National Express
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Alsa
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City Lines
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Sofia to Istanbul Airport

Showing times and prices for 15 Dec

Cheapest price

£35

Average price

£35

Fastest journey

8 h

Average duration

8 h 15 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

475 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Sofia to Istanbul Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Sofia to Istanbul Airport will cost around £35 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £35.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Sofia for Istanbul Airport every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 475 km distance in an average of 8 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h .

The slowest buses will take 8 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

FlixBusFlixBus
11:008h30
София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
20:30Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)
£351One-way
0 changes
FlixBusFlixBus
23:008h00
София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
08:00Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)
£351One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and flight for Sofia to Istanbul Airport

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Istanbul Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 52m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £26, and a flight costs an average of £42.

Distance: 475 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Flight

£30

Average Price

Cheapest

£74

Average Price

9h 5m

Average total duration

8h 35m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 52m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 52m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

City Lines

Most popular bus company

Turkish Airlines

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Sofia to Istanbul Airport bus times

The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Istanbul Airport coaches for tomorrow, Monday 15 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 22:52
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus09:00 София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
8h30
17:30 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)0 changesdirect
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus21:00 София, Централна Aвтогара 2 (Sofia, Centralna Avtogara 2)
8h00
05:00 Istanbul, Buyuk Otogar (Esenler)0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Sofia to Istanbul Airport by coach or flight

Compare coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Mon
15 Dec
Tue
16 Dec
Wed
17 Dec
Thu
18 Dec
Fri
19 Dec
Sat
20 Dec
Sun
21 Dec
Mon
22 Dec
Tue
23 Dec
Wed
24 Dec
Thu
25 Dec
Fri
26 Dec
Sat
27 Dec
Sun
28 Dec

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Sofia to Istanbul Airport

BulgariaBulgaria
TurkeyTurkey
Icon of bus

Buses from Sofia to Istanbul Airport run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £26 if you book in advance.

There are 4 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 08:00, the last at 21:00. The fastest coach covers the 475 km distance in 6h 59m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
475 km
Average bus duration
8h 35m
Cheapest ticket price
£26
Buses per day
4
Direct buses
4
Fastest bus
6h 59m
First bus
08:00
Last bus
21:00
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: City Lines, Infobus from Sofia to Istanbul AirportYou can travel by bus between Sofia to Istanbul Airport with City Lines, Infobus for as low as £26. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

City Lines

About
\City Lines\" can refer to several different bus companies. One prominent example is Citylines, a leading Bulgarian bus company headquartered in Sofia. It operates an extensive network of 44 routes, connecting 22 cities across Bulgaria and serving 9 European nations with an average of 19 trips daily. Citylines coaches offer amenities such as air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Another is Rochester City Lines, a family-owned and operated charter bus company in Minnesota, United States, providing services for college, corporate, event, religious, school, and workforce transportation. They offer a fleet including motorcoaches, minibuses, and executive vans. Historically, National City Lines, Inc. (NCL) was a significant public transportation holding company in the United States, founded in 1920. NCL acquired numerous local transit systems, often converting streetcar lines to bus operations, a practice sometimes referred to as \"bustitution.\" Additionally, \"City Line\" is also the name of a bus rapid transit (BRT) line in Spokane, Washington, operated by the Spokane Transit Authority. This 6-mile route, which opened in 2023, utilizes modern, zero-emission battery-electric buses and connects key areas including downtown Spokane and the University District."
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
8h 30m
Cheapest Price
£28
City Lines frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 8kg (55x35x25) and one checked bag up to 25kg (70x50x30).
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag up to 25 kg.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours incur a 20% fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible restrooms.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed; must be booked in advance.
Pets
Small pets allowed in carriers; larger pets must be leashed and muzzled.

Infobus

About
Infobus is an international IT company that operates as an online service for finding and purchasing bus, train, and plane tickets, rather than being a bus company itself. Established in 2002, Infobus acts as an intermediary between passengers and various transport carriers, particularly helping smaller bus companies offer online booking services. They utilize their own \BusSystem\" to manage routes and ticket sales globally. Infobus covers over 30 countries and 300 cities, offering a wide range of routes and daily departures. While amenities can vary by carrier, Infobus aims to provide affordable and convenient travel with features like online booking, 24/7 support, and prompt notifications."
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 59m
Cheapest Price
£28
Infobus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed; may require prior reservation and an additional fee.
Pets
Small pets allowed in carriers; larger pets may require a separate ticket.

FAQs: Sofia to Istanbul Airport coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Istanbul Airport by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Istanbul Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
There are 4 coaches a day from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST) which require at least one change with Infobus or City Lines. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
For the best Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST) coach to book, you can travel safely and comfortably with Infobus or City Lines. However, it's always good to check all possible coach companies with services between Sofia and Istanbul Airport (IST) to compare what amenities they may offer.
A day trip to Istanbul Airport (IST) from Sofia is worth doing with a journey time of min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
Yes, you can take a flight to Istanbul Airport (IST) from Sofia.
No, the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST) has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST), follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
  • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).
    No, luggage for the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST) needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Sofia to Istanbul Airport (IST).

    popular bus stations

    Important Stations and Airports in Sofia and Istanbul Airport

    Sofia
    Istanbul
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    ATMATM
    TaxisTaxis
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    Ticket OfficeTicket Office
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Ticket Office Hours
    • 06:00-22:00
    ticketOfficeHours
    Distance to city center
    1 km
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Taxis
    Taxis
    • Available outside the main entrance.
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Public transport options for Sofia, Centralna Avtogara (София, Централна Автогара)
    • Bus: 213, 305, 404 Metro: M2 Train: Sofia Central Station
    Sofia, Sofia International Airport (T1) (София, Летище София (T1))
    Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика)WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    DiningDining
    ATMATM
    TaxisTaxis
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    Ticket OfficeTicket Office
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Ticket Office Hours
    • 00:00-23:59
    ticketOfficeHours
    Distance to city center
    1 km
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Dining
    Dining
    • Cafeteria Serdika (in the station)
    • Bistro Bulgaria (0.2 km)
    • Sofia Grill House (0.5 km).
    Taxis
    Taxis
    • Available outside the main entrance.
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Public transport options for Sofiya, Avtogara Serdika (София, Автогара Сердика)
    • Bus: 213, 305, 404 Metro: M1, M2 Train: Sofia Central Station

    More options for your journey from Sofia to Istanbul Airport

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