Sofia to Istanbul (SOF–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SOF–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 290 miles in approximately 1h 30m. Beyond nonstop, 63 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: 6E, MS | 23 | 320, 32B, 73H | 1h30 | – | Star Alliance | 6E, MS |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Sofia
| Metric | SOF→IST | INI→IST | SKP→IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from SOF | – | 90 mi | 105 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 51 | 2 | 14 |
| Flight time | 1h 30m | 1h 35m | 1h 30m |
Travel Essentials
SOF: EEST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Sofia, it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
SOF–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SOF to IST
Sofia Airport (SOF) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 51 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SOF to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SOF to IST ranges from 1 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. The route covers a distance of 290 miles (467 km). There are approximately 51 weekly flights outbound and 51 return, totaling 102 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
63 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 6 hours via TRN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Niš (INI), Ilinden (SKP) and Craiova (CRA).