🚗 530 km⏱ about 5:30 h + border🛂 Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule
Sofia to Istanbul is about 530 km by the Trakia motorway and the Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule border, about 5:30 h to Istanbul Airport plus the border. We also drive from Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Burgas, Varna and Ruse, and to the city and Sabiha Gökçen.
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Updated: 21 October 2026
Prices to Istanbul from Bulgaria
Each price is for the whole car, one way, the same for one passenger or a full car. Times are driving times without the border and breaks.
Istanbul city, Sabiha Gökçen from Sofia and the Asian side: fixed price on request. More than 8 passengers: minibus or bus on request. All prices from Sofia are in the Sofia price list.
The road
From Sofia the driver takes the Trakia motorway through Plovdiv, then goes via Haskovo and Svilengrad to the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule. In Turkey the road continues past Edirne on the motorway towards Istanbul, and Istanbul Airport is on the European side, north of the city.
Border and documents
Turkey is not in the EU, so there is passport control on the Bulgarian and the Turkish side. Check before the trip whether your nationality can enter Turkey with an ID card or needs a passport or visa. The time at the border depends on the day and the season; in summer and on holidays it can be longer. Your driver knows the crossing and tells you what to have ready.
Good stops on the way
Plovdiv is about 1:45 h from Sofia and is a good place for coffee. Edirne, just after the border, has the Selimiye Mosque and is the usual stop on the Turkish side.
How booking works
Fill in the price finder at the top of the page. Choose the date and the time and leave your phone number. We confirm on WhatsApp, Viber or by phone. There is no prepayment: you pay the driver. Child seats are free, and waiting is free if your flight is late.
Questions about Sofia – Istanbul
How much is a transfer from Sofia to Istanbul?
To Istanbul Airport (IST): 412 € for a sedan (up to 4), 539 € for a minivan (up to 6) and 608 € for a minibus (up to 8), fixed for the whole car, one way. For Istanbul city, Sabiha Gökçen or the Asian side we send you a fixed price first.
How long is the drive from Sofia to Istanbul?
About 530 km and about 5:30 h of driving to Istanbul Airport, plus the time at the border and any breaks.
Which border crossing do you use?
Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule, after Svilengrad. The waiting time depends on the day and the season; in summer and on holidays it can be longer.
Do I need a passport for Turkey?
Turkey is not in the EU, so there is passport control on both sides. Check before the trip whether your nationality can enter with an ID card or needs a passport or visa.
Can you take us to the city centre or to Sabiha Gökçen?
Yes. Send us the address and we give you a fixed price before the trip. From Burgas and Varna Sabiha has a fixed price in the table above.
Can you pick us up at Istanbul Airport for the way back?
Yes. We drive both ways. Send us your flight number and the driver waits at Arrivals; waiting is free if the flight is late.
Do I pay in advance?
No prepayment. You pay the driver. Child seats are free.
More: Sofia to Istanbul city guide · Istanbul Airport to Sofia · Sofia – Bucharest · Sofia – Thessaloniki · All price lists
Other routes travellers ask us about: Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Düzce · Sabiha Gökçen Airport to İnegöl · Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Çorum · Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Aksaray · Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Bilecik