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Cheap Flights from Sofia to Istanbul

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Compare Sofia to Istanbul flight deals

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

Book the best Istanbul fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Sofia to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Sofia to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Istanbul.R 907 per passenger.Departing Fri, 20 Jun.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Fri, 20 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 907, select.
Istanbul.R 918 per passenger.Departing Tue, 8 Jul.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Tue, 8 Jul, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 918, select.
Istanbul.R 927 per passenger.Departing Mon, 8 Sep.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Mon, 8 Sep, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 927, select.
Istanbul.R 927 per passenger.Departing Mon, 4 Aug.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Mon, 4 Aug, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 927, select.
Istanbul.R 927 per passenger.Departing Wed, 22 Oct.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Wed, 22 Oct, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 927, select.
Istanbul.R 989 per passenger.Departing Sat, 3 Jan.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Pegasus Airlines, departs from Sofia on Sat, 3 Jan, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 989, select.
Istanbul.R 1,030 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Dec.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Pegasus Airlines, departs from Sofia on Tue, 2 Dec, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,030, select.
Istanbul.R 1,030 per passenger.Departing Thu, 20 Nov.One-way flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Sofia on Thu, 20 Nov, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,030, 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.
Jun
from R 907
Jul
from R 918
Aug
from R 927
Sep
from R 927
Oct
from R 927
Nov
from R 1,030
Dec
from R 1,030
Jan
from R 989
Feb
from R 1,160
Mar
from R 1,102
Apr
from R 2,658
May
from R 2,689

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.

Sofia to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 910
Cheapest month to flyJune
Average flight time1 hr, 24 mins
Most popular airlineIndiGo
Average flights per week174

Finding cheap flights from Sofia to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Sofia to Istanbul is R 1,737. 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.
1 hour and 23 minutes is the average flight time from Sofia to Istanbul.
IndiGo, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly direct from Sofia to Istanbul.
As of June 2025, there are 261 flights per week flying from Sofia to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Sofia to Istanbul is usually June 2025.
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 1,737.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Sofia Airport to Istanbul on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 23 minutes.
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.
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.
In June, the average temperature is usually around 21°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.
Currently, Pegasus Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

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

  • Around 1 hour 20 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul.

  • The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Sofia, where Sofia Airport is located.

  • Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 21 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from SOF to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 21:40. Go for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 09:25 if you want to fly out earlier.

  • Leave plenty of time to catch your SOF to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow even more breathing space. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.

  • Start your trip at SOF and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That will be your arrival point when searching for Sofia Airport to Istanbul tickets.

  • Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul.

  • Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper flight ticket from SOF to Istanbul. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:

    • Vienna International Airport (VIE)

    • Antalya Airport (AYT)

    • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)

  • SOF is about 6 kilometres from central Sofia. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.

  • Want a hassle-free start to your journey? Stay near SOF. Whether you're catching an early flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels put convenience first:

  • Of all flights departing from Sofia Airport, 66.73% arrive on time at their destination.

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

  • The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Sofia Airport to Istanbul flight is R 910. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,737. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.

  • Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SOF to Istanbul.

  • May is the best month for landing a fantastic deal on Sofia Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.

  • You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an even better deal on cheap flights from SOF to Istanbul.

  • 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 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.

  • Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • Look into staying at a hotel near IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and make arrival day easier:

  • Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular outlets you can book with here.

  • Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from SOF to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • After your flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.

  • You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your SOF to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:

  • Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the availability and rates from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.

  • Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW can help you lock in a better rate.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • Before securing your flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season means you'll get cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.

  • When booking your Sofia Airport to Istanbul flight ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SOF to Istanbul around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.

More about Istanbul

  • Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul, explore our selection of accommodation options including:

  • Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, well-known attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.

  • Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). No visit is complete without checking out Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.

More travel options

Plan the rest of your trip from Sofia to Istanbul

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.