Tickets for Istanbul–Sofia express now available online
According to information obtained from the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ, the national railway operator, has expanded its international ticket sales channels to include online platforms, following the earlier launch of digital ticket sales for the Van–Tehran Train.
Expanded Digital Access for International Rail Travel
As part of efforts to increase passenger satisfaction and modernize railway services, TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ has made Istanbul–Sofia Express tickets available through its official website, mobile application, and ticket offices nationwide. Previously, tickets could only be purchased at a limited number of physical counters.
The Istanbul–Sofia Express operates daily round-trip services on the Istanbul (Halkalı)–Sofia–Istanbul (Halkalı) route, strengthening rail connectivity between Türkiye and Europe. The journey takes approximately half a day, passing through Halkalı, Çerkezköy, Edirne, Kapıkule, Svilengrad, Dimitrovgrad, and Sofia.
The train departs Istanbul at 20:00, arriving in Sofia at 11:48, while the return service leaves Sofia at 18:50 and arrives in Istanbul at 09:56.
Ticket Prices and Accommodation Options
Passengers on the Istanbul–Sofia line can choose from several accommodation options:
- 4-berth couchette car: €36.40 per person (one way)
- 2-berth sleeper car: €41.40 per person
- Single sleeper cabin: €74.60 per person
During the summer season, additional couchette cars provide a Bucharest connection. One-way tickets from Halkalı to Bucharest are priced at €75.70 per person in a 4-berth couchette. The train does not include a restaurant car.
Digital Ticket Control and Refund Policy
Under the digital ticketing system, passengers may present their tickets either as a printed A4 document with a visible barcode or as a PDF file on a mobile device.
Refunds are available up to 24 hours before departure, with a 10% deduction for Europe-bound services and a 20% deduction for Middle East-bound services. Ticket changes can be made once, free of charge, within the same time frame.
Growing Demand for International Rail Travel
In 2025, the Istanbul–Sofia Express carried 31,000 passengers, while the Van–Tehran Train transported 30,000 passengers from the resumption of services on March 9, 2025, through the end of the year.
TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ continues to enhance its services through its locally developed “Passenger Transport Platform,” which won first place at the Türkiye Informatics Awards 2025. The platform integrates online sales, mobile applications, contactless processing, and digital systems for international routes.
Minister: “Access to Safe and Comfortable Rail Travel Is Now Easier”
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that online ticket sales are standard practice worldwide and emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into railway transportation.
“With investments across all modes of transport and the integration of modern technologies, we aim to make access to safe and comfortable rail travel easier for both domestic and international passengers,” Uraloğlu said. “By moving international ticket sales to digital platforms, railway travel has become even more accessible.”
