Cheap Flights from Sofia (SOF) to Istanbul (IST)

Travelling from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know

• Around 1 hour 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.

• Istanbul is one hour ahead of Sofia and observes the UTC+3 timezone.

• Choose from 175 weekly Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. The 09:20 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest flight available. Turkish Airlines operates the last service of the day at 21:40.

• Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your SOF to IST flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.

• You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.

• Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to check out the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.

• The majority of passengers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.

• We make it easy to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers between SOF and IST include:

  • Varna Airport

  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport

  • Antalya Airport

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

• £60 is the lowest price for a one-way Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Return flights start from £106. These fares may change based on availability and demand.

• Book six months before you want to fly. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from SOF to IST.

• The cheapest month for flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have a flexible travel schedule.

• You won't have to check back in every day to find out if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as a special offer becomes available on cheap flights from SOF to IST.

• Tailor your trip with filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.

Handy information about Sofia Airport (SOF)

• 66.73% of flights taking off from Sofia Airport land at their destination on time.

• Central Sofia to Sofia Airport is around 7 miles. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 15 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.

• The journey on public transport takes about 35 minutes.

• Looking for a convenient hotel close to SOF? If you've booked an early flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:

  • Novotel Sofia

  • Metropolitan Hotel Sofia, a Member of Radisson Individuals

  • Hotel Akord

Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

• If you have a late Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight, few things top the convenience of being close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be resting shortly after at one of these hotels near IST:

  • Khavi Airport Apart

  • Yotelair Istanbul Airport (Airside)

  • Private Room in Istanbul #33

• 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 top providers you can book with here.

• Lock in the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your trip.

Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul

• From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 30 miles away. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.

• Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.

When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

• The quietest month for a flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, while April is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.

• The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your flights from Sofia Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.

• January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap tickets from SOF to IST around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

• Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 220 miles away to the east, its top attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.

• If there's time to check out another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are key reasons to visit.