THE SHORT VERSION
Athens to Sofia at a glance.
Ready to travel from Athens to Sofia?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Athens
Athens is Greece's capital and hub for KTEL coaches across the mainland, plus international buses to Albania and Bulgaria. KTEL services use two coach stations.
- Kifissos KTEL station
Kifissos Avenue. Routes to the Peloponnese, western and northern Greece. - Liosion KTEL station
Liosion Avenue, near Agios Nikolaos metro. Routes to central Greece.
Arriving in Sofia
Ask the seller where the service ends in Sofia. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
KEEP GOING
From Sofia, the road continues.
12Go's list doesn't include onward buses from Sofia yet.
All buses from and to SofiaOther ways to reach Sofia
More buses from Athens
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Athens from Sofia by road?+
About 790 km by road (526 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Athens to Sofia take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 9 h 15 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Athens?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Athens include Kifissos KTEL station, Liosion KTEL station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Sofia to Athens?+
12Go's public route list doesn't include Sofia to Athens as a direct route. You may need to change in another town.
Where does the bus from Athens arrive in Sofia?+
It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.
What kind of bus runs from Athens to Sofia?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Athens to Sofia bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Do I need my passport on the bus from Athens to Sofia?+
Greece and Bulgaria are both in the Schengen area, so there are usually no routine border checks. Carry your passport or national ID card anyway: spot checks happen and operators may ask for ID.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Athens → Sofia on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Athens to Sofia bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Athens (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →