Sofia-Istanbul Express night train
The Sofia-Istanbul Express night train travels between the Bulgarian capital of Sofia to Istanbul in Turkey. With the Sofia-Istanbul Express, you can reach Istanbul (Halkali station) in about 10 hours.
Please keep in mind that you will briefly have to get off the train in Kapikule, at the Turkish border, to get your passport stamped.
Sofia-Istanbul Express route
The Sofia-Istanbul Express night train runs daily between Sofia and Istanbul. The train’s final stop is Halkali, on the outskirts of Istanbul.
Halkali station is situated on the Western outskirts of Istanbul, from here you can take a metro/Marmaray train to the city centre and under the Bosphorus to the Asian side. Make sure to have Turkish Lira notes beforehand, as most metro-ticket machines do not take bank cards.
The Sofia-Istanbul Express runs on the following route:
Sofia - Istanbul
- Via Plovdiv
Please note that this train will be connected to the Bosphorus Express in the evening, before continuing to Istanbul.
Reservations
Reservations for the Sofia-Istanbul Express are compulsory.
How to make reservations?
You can reserve your seat on the Sofia-Istanbul Express in the following ways:
At the train station in Sofia, Bulgaria, or Istanbul Halkali station, Turkey.
Reservation fees
6-bed couchette: € 9.40 p.p.
4-bed couchette: € 10 p.p.
Double sleeper: € 15 p.p.
Single sleeper: € 35
Facilities and services
Change of currency
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