Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF): what you need to know
1 hour 18 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport. Sofia is 1 hour behind Istanbul and operates on the UTC+2 timezone.
Flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport start at 07:15 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last flight of the day is the 21:40 service with Turkish Airlines. Overall, you can choose from 88 services every week between IST and SOF.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
Turkish Airlines runs direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport. Book with this popular carrier, and get ready to take in the sights in Sofia — plus maybe even more of Bulgaria if you have time.
We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To look at the options for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between IST and SOF include:
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
To find out if you need a visa to enter Bulgaria, contact your carrier and the local consulate or embassy. They'll have the most up-to-date information, including other travel documents you may need after booking your cheap ticket from IST to SOF.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)
C$99 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport. A return flight starts at C$238. These fares can change based on availability and demand.
To get your hands on cheap flight tickets from IST to SOF, reserve your trip 9 months ahead of your planned departure.
May is the cheapest month for flight tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport. If you're looking to fly during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest airfares for every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from IST to SOF. There's no need to search every day to see if prices have fallen. We'll notify you the moment there's a change in price.
Play around with filters to find the right trip for you. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Traveling from central Istanbul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to IST:
Arriving at Sofia Airport (SOF)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near SOF instead:
Getting from Sofia Airport (SOF) to central Sofia
From Sofia Airport, Sofia is approximately 11 kilometres away. It takes around 16 minutes to get to the center driving.
Traveling to the center by public transport takes roughly 37 minutes.
When to fly to Sofia Airport (SOF)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport is April, while August is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Sofia based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Sofia Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Sofia, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to SOF in January. Temperatures average between -11ºC and 7ºC then.
More about Sofia
Once you've locked in your flights from IST to SOF, you'll need to find a hotel in Sofia. Make one of these options your base for exploring this city:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. National Palace of Culture, Boyana Church and City Garden are popular attractions which should be on every Sofia itinerary.
Complete your Sofia trip with hotels and a car rental
We don't just compare flights. Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Sofia Airport, browse our car rental offers that'll give you the flexibility to travel around at your own pace. Then, take a look at our exclusive rates for hotels to find your ideal Sofia stay.