Sofia Istanbul Express departs from the Bulgarian capital Sofia in the evening and allows passengers to arrive in Istanbul the following morning, ready to explore the city. I took the Sofia–Istanbul Express on my train trip from Finland to Türkiye: this was the perfect ending to my epic journey across a dozen countries!
Fast facts
What: Sofia–Istanbul night train
How: Tickets can be only purchased at the Sofia train station
How much: from around 29 euros for a couchette to 63 euros for a 1st class solo sleeper.
Highlight: Waking up as the sun rises over the Turkish countryside
Sofia Istanbul Express prices
The night train from Sofia to Istanbul departs at 6.45 pm from Sofia Central Railway Station, located next to the bus station, and arrives at Istanbul’s Halkali station at 6.34 am. The train runs throughout the year, once per day and contains sleeping cars and couchettes.
A 2nd class ticket costs around 18,50€. On top of this, you’ll pay a 10€ supplement for a couchette or 15€ for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper.
I opted for a single-bed sleeper and paid around 63 euros for it.
Booking – no online option
Please note that you cannot buy these tickets online. If you travel during the summer months, take into account the risk that you won’t get a ticket for a same-day departure. I travelled in October and booked a ticket for the following day when I arrived in Sofia.
The tickets can be bought at the international ticket window at Sofia’s Central Railway Station. This is right next to the regular ticket sales in the main hall. The ever-so-knowledgeable site seat61.com also suggested contacting Andy from discoverbyrail.com for a ticket, but he couldn’t provide me with any at the time of my travels.
The Sofia Istanbul Express was part of my train and bus trip from Helsinki to Istanbul. You can read all about it by clicking this link!
Inside the train
I had a solo sleeping cabin and was happy to discover there was a fridge inside it. There is also a sink and a socket for a razor, and all necessary bedding is provided. I’ve heard rumours of soap being handed out, but I did not receive any. When I took the train from Sofia to Istanbul, the wagon wasn’t full – but as I returned in late October, all beds were occupied. The sleeper attendant gives little snacks and drinks (juice and water) for the journey. You can also buy refreshments when the train stops at the border.
Border controls
When the train reaches the Bulgarian border point at Svilengrad, the border guards come on board and collect all passports. After they’ve checked them, they come back and return them.
A little later, well after midnight, the train arrives at the Turkish border control at Kapikule. Here, you’ll have to exit the train with all your luggage. First, you’ll go through passport control after which you walk with your bags to the nearby luggage control, where all bags are X-rayed. Meanwhile, the train is being security checked. At Kapikule, you can purchase refreshments from a little cafe or even cigarettes etc. at the duty free.
Arriving in Istanbul
In a bygone era, when the likes of Agatha Christie took this train, it would arrive at central Isntabul’s Sirkeci station, following the Sea of Marmara’s shoreline. Today, passengers must hop off some 25 kilometres from the city centre at Halkali station.
But the transfer from Halkali to Sirkeci station is very easy: take the escalator up to the station hall and purchase a ticket from a machine. The best way is to do this with liras but there’s also a contactless ticket machine – prepare for some queuing though!
The ticket costs TL 35 (or €1.90). Buy also the Istanbulkart public transport smart card (50 liras), which makes moving around in Istanbul very handy. Marmaray line trains depart every 15 minutes and the journey to Sirkeci takes 35 minutes.
Bear in mind, that the night train tends to arrive a little bit late – mine arrived after 8 am.
Why take the Sofia Istanbul Express?
Travelling overnight adds an adventurous element to the journey, allowing you to wake up to a new destination and embark on a day of exploration in Istanbul. I loved the feeling when I finally reached Sirkeci station, walked to a nearby café and ordered my first Turkish coffee to start the day in a new city.
P.S. If you are interested in more train trips in the Balkans, read my guide on how to take the Montenegro Express! Photos below.