How to Get from Istanbul to Bulgaria

Getting from Istanbul to Bulgaria is quite simple, cheap, and convenient. From Otagar international coach terminal (Aksaray metro stop) in Istanbul you can purchase your ticket. There are several companies, but I went with Metro, which is probably your best bet.

A one way ticket costs 75 Turkish Lira ($21 as of 2016) and leaves several times a day. I opted for the bus departing at 10:30 PM. I purchased the ticket in the morning and was able to leave my luggage at the station.

The Journey to Bulgaria

The bus itself was pretty nice, but a little too cold for me. Definitely bring a jacket regardless of the season. When you get on, you are given a wet wipe, water, and a little snack for the 8-hour journey to Sofia.

Around midnight you will cross into the border where everyone will be ordered off the bus to go through customs.

First, you will get your exit stamps out of Turkey. Then, you’ll get back on the bus, only to get back off the bus to go through Bulgarian customs.

Most, if not everyone on board will likely be from an EU member country or Turkey, so the process for them will be smooth and quick, while those from non EU countries might have a longer process.

In my case, I was the only non-white person on board, and had an American passport. The Bulgarian officer looked at my passport for a full minute, asking me questions about my whereabouts and what I did for a living, which angered me a bit given the speed of literally everyone else on the bus.

After security, you’ll board the bus again and will reach Sofia in the wee hours of the morning. It will likely be pitch black outside and many say it’s a bit dangerous during this time, so your best bet is to stay inside the station until sunrise.

Recap:

Departure Point: Otagar international coach terminal
Departure Time: Several throughout the day
Arrival Point: Central Bus Station in Sofia
Arrival Time: About 8 hours after departure
Company: Metro (Office #126)
Cost: 75 Lira