Cheap Flights from Sofia to Istanbul

Compare Sofia to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Sofia to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 1,892. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Istanbul.R 887 per passenger.Departing Mon, 29 Jun.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Mon, 29 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 887, select.

Istanbul.R 904 per passenger.Departing Wed, 1 Jul.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Wed, 1 Jul, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 904, select.

Istanbul.R 943 per passenger.Departing Wed, 20 May.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Wed, 20 May, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 943, select.

Istanbul.R 963 per passenger.Departing Sat, 30 Jan.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Sat, 30 Jan, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 963, select.

Istanbul.R 965 per passenger.Departing Fri, 5 Feb.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Fri, 5 Feb, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 965, select.

Istanbul.R 965 per passenger.Departing Sat, 13 Mar.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Sat, 13 Mar, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 965, select.

Istanbul.R 965 per passenger.Departing Sat, 31 Oct.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Sat, 31 Oct, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 965, select.

Istanbul.R 965 per passenger.Departing Tue, 3 Nov.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Tue, 3 Nov, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 965, select.

Istanbul.R 965 per passenger.Departing Mon, 7 Dec.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Mon, 7 Dec, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 965, select.

Istanbul.R 1,307 per passenger.Departing Mon, 28 Sep.One-way flight with Wizz Air.Outbound indirect flight with Wizz Air, departs from Sofia on Mon, 28 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,307, select.

Istanbul.R 1,448 per passenger.Departing Thu, 10 Sep.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Thu, 10 Sep, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,448, select.

Istanbul.R 1,487 per passenger.Departing Thu, 27 Aug.One-way flight with Ryanair.Outbound indirect flight with Ryanair, departs from Sofia on Thu, 27 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,487, select.

Istanbul.R 1,699 per passenger.Departing Sat, 1 Aug.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Sat, 1 Aug, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,699, select.

Istanbul.R 2,608 per passenger.Departing Mon, 12 Apr.One-way flight with Turkish Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Turkish Airlines departs from Sofia on Mon, 12 Apr, arriving in Istanbul.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,608, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sofia to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Sofia to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in June.

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Direct flights from Sofia to Istanbul

Alternative Sofia to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Sofia to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Istanbul Sabiha

30km from central Istanbul

ClosestCheapest

from R 887

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Istanbul

34km from central Istanbul

from R 1,307

Search flights

Sofia to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	R 887
Cheapest month to fly	June
Average flight time	1 hr, 23 mins
Most popular airline	Turkish Airlines
Average flights per week	73

Finding cheap flights from Sofia to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in Istanbul?

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.

How much are return flights from Sofia to Istanbul?

The best price we found for a return flight from Sofia to Istanbul is R 1,746. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Sofia to Istanbul?

1 hour and 23 minutes is the average flight time from Sofia to Istanbul.

Which airlines fly direct from Sofia to Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and EgyptAir fly direct from Sofia to Istanbul.

How many flights are there a week from Sofia to Istanbul?

As of May 2026, there are 73 flights per week flying from Sofia to Istanbul.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Sofia to Istanbul?

The cheapest month to fly from Sofia to Istanbul is usually June.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Istanbul?

If you're flying from Sofia Airport, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul Sabiha – which is 30.3 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from R 1,746.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Sofia Airport to Istanbul on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Sofia Airport to Istanbul on Sunday, 28 June 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul?

Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 23 minutes.

How can I get the best flight deal from Sofia Airport to Istanbul?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Istanbul?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in Istanbul?

In May, the average temperature is usually around 17°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Sofia Airport to Istanbul with?

Currently, Pegasus Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul: what you need to know

Take a direct flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Sofia Airport is located in Sofia. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is one hour ahead of Sofia.
The most popular route is from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Airport (IST). Choose from 21 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SOF to IST is the 09:25 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 21:40 with Turkish Airlines.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your SOF to Istanbul flight.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct Sofia Airport to Istanbul ticket. Start your trip at SOF and arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST).
Book your favourite seat with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline operates direct flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from SOF to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your journey by stopping at one of these popular airports:
- Vienna International Airport (VIE)
- Antalya Airport (AYT)
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
Located around 6 kilometres from central Sofia, SOF can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 30 minutes.
In search of a hotel near SOF? If you've booked an early flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Of the flights that depart from Sofia Airport, 77% touch down on time at their destination.

How to find the cheapest flights from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul

R 887 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Sofia Airport to Istanbul flight. A return plane ticket starts at R 1,746. These fares can change based on availability.
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap flight from SOF to Istanbul. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Sofia Airport to Istanbul across the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from SOF to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're grabbing a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 45 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from SOF to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. After your flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
After stepping off your SOF to Istanbul flight, settle in at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

August is the busiest month for flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip to Istanbul in February.
Lock in a Sofia Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SOF to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.

More about Istanbul

Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul, explore our selection of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are must-do's during your Istanbul adventure.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading sights like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are highlights.