Facts about the bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki
| Cheapest Bus | $16 |
| Fastest Bus | 4h 55m |
| Earliest Bus | 7:30 AM |
| Latest Bus | 7:00 PM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 6 |
| Distance | 184 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | Citylines, Union Ivkoni International |
Buses from Sofia to Thessaloniki
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Sofia to Thessaloniki Destination Reviews
SA
Svyatoslav AAll great! Thank you for your service 🙏
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni International , Sep 1, 2025
A
Anonymous The coach was clean, the seats were rather confortable and the AC worked. No communication whatsoever from the driver (when/where/for how long we would take a break; why were we almost 1 hour late before reaching the traffic jams around Athens, generating a total delay of almost 2 hours..).
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Arda Tur (Arda Tur), Mar 22, 2025
K
Kathryn Excellent service. On time and comfortable. The bus was clean, and comfortable. The driver was courteous and good. I don't think there was a bathroom on the bus. Even though we stopped several times, it would have been helpful to have had a toilet.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Arda Tur (Arda Tur), Aug 12, 2023
A
Anonymous Old bus. Good driver. Uncomfortable. No shelf in front of me.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Citylines, Aug 2, 2023
V
Volha Nice bus and good driver, but no WI-FI. Departed and arrived on time. No Wi-Fi.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Jul 21, 2023
M
Michael Easy bus ride. Comfortable ride.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, May 26, 2023
A
Anonymous The driver was smoking inside the bus, he was kinda rude and watched videos with high volume.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Dec 22, 2022
A
Anonymous Excellent experience except .. The only negative thing was that we had to wait 40 minutes in a station where we supposed to stay only for 10 minutes as a driver told us. The reason was we were waiting some passengers to come. This really ruined the trip as it is really annoying when 20 or so passengers have to wait some irresponsible persons. Everyone was upset and even a lady did get late on purpose on the next bus stop.
Sofia to Thessaloniki, Bus Standard AC, Union Ivkoni Unibus, Nov 1, 2022
Sofia to Thessaloniki Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citylines | Standard AC | 07:00 | 11:45 | $26.65 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 07:30 | 13:00 | $9.94 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 10:00 | 14:50 | $26.07 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 13:00 | 17:55 | $26.07 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 16:30 | 22:15 | $9.94 | |
Arda Tur | Standard AC | 17:00 | 22:30 | $26.07 | |
Tourist Service Holding AD | Standard AC | 18:00 | 23:00 | $34.80 | |
Citylines | Standard AC | 18:30 | 23:55 | $26.65 | |
Citylines | Standard AC | 19:00 | 00:25 | $26.65 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 20:00 | 00:45 | $34.67 | |
Union Ivkoni International | Standard AC | 20:30 | 02:00 | $10.91 |
How to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki by bus
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Sofia to Thessaloniki by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Sofia to Thessaloniki a conscious and budget-friendly option.
Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.
Here is the list of operators serving the route: .
How far is Sofia from Thessaloniki?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 184 km between Sofia and Thessaloniki.
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki by bus?
Buses normally need between 4h 55m and 5h 30m hours to get to Thessaloniki from Sofia. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.
On this route, Citylines offers the fastest service. Union Ivkoni International buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.
Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.
How much does it cost to get from Sofia to Thessaloniki by bus?
The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.
Anyway, travelling by bus between Sofia and Thessaloniki remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Union Ivkoni International and costs USD 15.33. A Citylines's ticket will set you back USD 15.33 on average.
Travelling by bus essentials
- If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
- VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
- Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
- If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
- Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
- To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
- As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
- Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
- If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.
Transportation from Sofia to Thessaloniki
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Buses$ 15.33
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Flights$ 132.64
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Taxis$ 284.14
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available
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Vans are not available