TCDDBDŽ
İstanbul Halkalı – Edirne – Kapıkule – Svilengrad – Dimitrovgrad – Plovdiv – Sofia
Statistics
591 km route distance
Average travel speed of 46 km/h
Greenhouse gas emissions per km by mode of transport
(in gCO2e per passenger)
this night train: 24
bus: 22 (0.9 times as much)
car (1 person): 192 (8 times as much)
plane: 389 (17 times as much)
12503/492
- İstanbul Halkalı
20:00 - Edirne
00:52 - Kapıkule
02:20 – border control - Svilengrad
03:25 - Dimitrovgrad
04:43 - Plovdiv
06:30 - Sofia
09:40
İstanbul to Sofia
Trip duration 13:40
493/12504
- Sofia
18:45 - Plovdiv
21:55 - Dimitrovgrad
23:15 - Svilengrad
01:25 - Kapıkule
02:30 – border control - Edirne
02:45 - İstanbul Halkalı
06:34
Sofia to İstanbul
Trip duration 11:49
Train information
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.
https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/
Night train İstanbul – Sofia
Take the night train on your next trip to İstanbul or Sofia!
Have you ever travelled by night train to İstanbul or Sofia? It's probably the most relaxing, fun, and eco-friendly way to get to your destination. The 591 km long train journey emits approximately 17 times less compared to a flight. Read more on the global warming reduction potential of night trains in our study on the topic.
When travelling with the 12503/492 + 493/12504 train, you can choose between the following categories:
- Couchette compartment: Simple, shelf-like beds in a cabin shared by usually 4-6 persons
- Sleeping compartment: Soft beds in a cabin typically shared by 1-3 persons, with a washing basin inside (and in some cases even with a private toilet and shower)
Travel by night train between Turkey and Bulgaria – timetable information
Please always verify timetable information with the operator when booking the train, and also prior to your departure.
Turkey to Bulgaria: 12503/492 İstanbul Halkalı – Sofia
Night train 12503/492 departs from İstanbul Halkalı at 20:00, and arrives at Sofia at 09:40. It has intermediate stops in Edirne, Kapıkule, Svilengrad, Dimitrovgrad and Plovdiv. The total trip duration is 13:40 hours. The train runs daily.
Bulgaria to Turkey: 493/12504 Sofia – İstanbul Halkalı
The return trip, night train 493/12504, departs from Sofia at 18:45, and arrives at İstanbul Halkalı at 06:34. It has intermediate stops in Plovdiv, Dimitrovgrad, Svilengrad, Kapıkule and Edirne. The total trip duration is 11:49 hours. The train runs daily.
Buy tickets for the night train from İstanbul to Sofia
This night train line is operated by TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. and БДЖ - Пътнически превози ЕООД and you can book tickets on their official website. We also recommend you read our tips and tricks page for booking international train tickets.
Do you find it too difficult to book night train tickets? Is your favourite line often sold out or are tickets way too expensive? You could think there is little to be done about that – but actually this can be solved politically: By improving conditions for both operators and travellers. Learn more on how we get more night trains in our General Position Paper, or join your local Back on Track group right away.