Bus From ISTANBUL to SOFIA Bulgaria 🇧🇬 | Is It Worth It???

First of all. We're going back a few weeks here. I'm already vaccinated!
This video is to show if taking the bus from Istanbul, Turkey to Sofia, Bulgaria is actually worth the hassle.
Included in the video are prices, journey time, crossing the border from Turkey into the EU and an overall idea of the experience.
I had an amazing time in Turkey. I hope my videos show that.
I decided to go west and head through the Balkans. First stop Bulgaria.
Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and COMMENT if you enjoy the video. It really helps with the algorithm.
Sofia, Bulgaria will the the first of many more places I'll be visiting and vlogging my experiences.
Thanks for watching.

[@victorleon9441]

Great content, I'm takinf that bus in 3 weeks a year after you did. Thanks for answering all of my questions. The money exchange machine was what I was looking for.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Glad the video was helpful. Have a great trip 👍

[@salorsr119]

You do a great job giving many details of your trips! great job!

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks for the comment I really appreciate that 👍👍👍

[@roamingalone5226]

I like this video because i like the content of in transit between countries. A lot of youtuber missed that which is important for the independent traveler. Too many youtuber skip this part and zoom into the big cities where almost all the youtubers did the same content.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks for that feedback. I'm sorry I'm only getting around to reading your comment

[@levinawalsh2015]

Great Video Paul👍. A lot of the scenery DID look like Ireland☘😀. Really Good information. Looking forward to seeing Sofia.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks Levina I'm glad you enjoyed it 😉

[@robertrussell4867]

Love that journey through Turkey mate can’t wait to see what’s next keep it up mate 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks Robert glad you're still here watching 👍

[@robertrussell4867]

I’m always watching mate keep up with the videos love it Great content 👊🏼👊🏼

[@chris-channel]

This is a very comfortable bus. 2+1 seat rows instead of 2+2 as usual. I wish Flixbus would be like that.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I was also lucky because so few peope were traveling at that time

[@wezdarsit]

Great looking hostel have a great journey interesting to see your trip I used to go to Turkey by truck years ago 👍😊🚚

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

What a country 👍

[@hughcrinionful]

I am doing the trip IST - Plovdiv. Useful info thanks

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks Hugh I'm glad to hear it 👍. So you know I only passed through. I heard from other travelers Plovdiv is well worth visiting. Have a good one 👍

[@fidgetspinner343]

Such a great channel 👍

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Glad you're still enjoying the videos 👍

[@sgreen757]

I did the night train a couple of months ago, and really enjoyed it.

[@MadDogsandEnglishman]

My goodness, you are all over the place Paul 🤣 Good luck with your journey.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks Andy 👍

[@Kvtom025]

Hi Paul, thank you very much for your videos, they are both entertaining and incredibly helpful. Currently looking at your Balkan videos as I’m planning to go there soon, but I was just wondering: you have been on so many different locations, which country or city worldwide do you still remember as the beauty or something else stunned you so much? I recently went to Capri and the beauty absolutely stunned me, I was curious if you had similar experiences and where you had them? Thanks!!

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Hi Tom. Thanks a million for your comment. Off the top of my head I'd have to say Kyoto Japan because I lived in Osaka which is near so I often went on my day off. In the Balkans some of the drives are incredible. The train from Belgrade to Bar Montenegro had some of the best views I've seen. Bus from Tirana to Ohrid Macedonia also amazing. The sunflower fields in Bulgaria. I didn't really make road vlogs but being on the road was an amazing part of traveling in the Balkans and Eastern Europe so I highly recommend getting around as much as possible. I can't think of a better place to travel for so many reasons. You've been to Capri so I'm guessing that will be hard to top though 😉

[@jimlatifis1918]

Interesting to find your impressions of Sophia Paul Are you travelling back to Greece after Bulgaria Enjoying your videos Take care Buddy Pa

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks Jimmy. Greece would have been easy from Bulgaria but I'm trying to tick off boxes while I have the chance. Romania and through the balkans this time round 😉

[@bobstermaher]

Nice video pal!.. We thinking of going to instanbul from Bulgaria ( sunny beach) for day and night. What you think of Istanbul mate?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks pal 👍. Do it for sure. Istanbul is a top city. Loads to see during the day and great nightlife in the Taksim area. Unfortunately for me I was there during the curfew. Should be all back to normal now. When I was in Bulgaria I skipped Sunny beach as I was trying to get over a dose of food poisoning so avoiding any partying. Will have to go back I hear its a great spot

[@maxharris4472]

Man you got me with that banana joke .. half in Turkey and the other half in Bulgaria.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I almost left it out of editing so I'm glad now I left it in thanks a lot Max 👍

[@travel_with_judith3]

❤️❤️❤️👍

[@abdullahshaaban2340]

Great video Paul , just curious , once you entered the passport control they probably asked you to not film anymore , the control per say , how does it work ? when you say passport check as if eye check or scanners or how does it work ? i saw something in a clip from sofia to serbia , it was very basic , they check you and your passport picture and then they just stamp your pass . thanks paul looking forward for a newer content

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks for the comment Abdullah. If I remember correctly the passport control was pretty hi-tech. They had computers that scanned the passport but I can't remember if they took a photo or took a finger print on the machine. I definitely did one of them. I just remember the the room and the green neon lights on the machine and thought to myself this is modern technology. So I believe that border has more security than any of the others I went through when in the Balkans. I hope this is helpful. I'll travel to Canada this week so will make new content soon 👍

[@abdullahshaaban2340]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter very helpful ! Thanks and looking forward to your Canada content , you’re killin it Paul ! Safe trips .

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Glad to hear it thanks a lot pal 👍

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

Good approach on the taxi drivers. So true!

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Everywhere! Just happened to a Canadian friend in Dublin a few days ago. So disappointing as Dublin taxi drivers already make very good money

[@huskytail]

You can also hire a car and leave it at the airport and then take the metro line in Sofia. Depending on the budget of course.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I'm afraid to risk driving on the right side of the road 😂. But thanks for the advice 👍

[@laissezfairez]

Did you not able to do anything at Plodiv?

[@Shaukatali-vd3ov]

Hey Paul does the border security making authentic doc control or just formality?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

The border was pretty hi-tech from what I remember. They had a room with machines for checking passports

[@bizsite6970]

Hi there Paul..first of all..Love your accent....second: Do these buses have toilet? Because most of Turkish buses don´t! Cheers and greetings from Brazil!

[@AjWaniOyeitsUncut]

Brother from which station in Istanbul did you get the bus Sofia what is the name of the station

[@mnurghoyatulamin4051]

What is the link to reserve the bus in advance?

[@charliemosan]

5:28 that definitely looks like Ireland hahha

[@sarabasha4408]

I liked your video! I've checked several bus tickets and the cheapest are 350 liras. Where did you book your ticket from? Bus company name? And was it a positive experience overall?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Hi Sara. I'm glad you liked the video 👍. I bought my ticket at the Esenler Otogari International bus station. I believe its the main international bus station in Istanbul. It was the Metro bus. At the station you'll find 2 or 3 shops with the Metro signs. The ticket cost 250 lira. I guess the prices have gone up now that travel is almost back to normal. My overall experience was pretty good. The bus journey was very relaxing. It stopped every two hours for a break where we could buy food and drinks. Some beautiful views of the sunflower fields especially when you enter Bulgaria. We didn't have to wait long at border control. I don't know how it will be now that more people are traveling. I guess a full bus wouldn't be as comfortable. But going from my experience I do recommend taking the bus if you're not in such a rush.

[@sarabasha4408]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter I just read a lot of bad reviews on buses to Bulgaria and wanted to hear atleast one positive one lol. Thank you so much for your reply. Hope I go there soon

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

@@sarabasha4408 packed buses on long journeys can be tough especially if traveling alone and not sitting with a friend. Though I can say this was definitely one of the better long bus journeys I've experienced. If you go for it I hope you won't be cursing me later 😂

[@sarabasha4408]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter Yeah, I can imagine how uncomfortable that may be. I hope so too lol

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

@@sarabasha4408 good luck on your journey if you decide to go 👍

[@vernemassengo1658]

What to do for travelling for turky to Bulgaria in the bus? What papers they oblige?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

For EU citizens we just have to show passports at passport control leaving Turkey and again entering Bulgaria.

[@AjWaniOyeitsUncut]

Brother tell me the name of the station please

[@DateTwoRelate]

PTSD for a COVID shot? Glad it didn't happen. I was in therapy for 6 months thanks to my last prostate exam! (Kidding)

[@gray4551]

I understand your accent 😂

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

This is great news thank you 😉👍

[@KattieMetChris]

It’s really nice when they swab your mouth.😃Sub’d😃 We are planning on doing the reverse trip. Check out some places we have traveled. Great information.

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Thanks guys. I've just Sub'd. You're on a great adventure. I'm back in Ireland saving for my next trip 👍. Will checkout your videos later. Looks like a great channel

[@KattieMetChris]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@aminatutahiru1687]

If I am a ghanaian staying at turkey and I wanna travel to Bulgaria can I use the metrol bus or

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I believe taking a bus is no different than flying as you have to show your passport at border control while leaving Turkey amd again while entering Bulgaria. So it depends if Bulgaria allow you. I'm Irish and have an EU passport so it was very smooth for me.

[@vernemassengo1658]

I m at Istanbul an I want to go to sofia what to do?

[@wqr494]

bulgaria is part of schengen right?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

No Bulgaria isn't part of Schengen. It is in the EU though 👍

[@subscribers151]

hi paul

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Hi there 👍

[@farzanasultana8352]

Is there any overnight bus ? turkey to Sofia?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I believe there is but it wasn't running when I was there because so few people were traveling. Travel is good again there so i guess its running. The website 'get by bus' should show the running times 👍

[@farzanasultana8352]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter thank u so much

[@pyrosonic836]

are you still proud to be vaccinated?

[@eddielloyd4070]

sadly you are wrong about bylgarian taxis ,,they are really cheap and honest also ,lived here 7 years and never had a problem with them ,,

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

That's good to hear. I did eventually take a couple of taxis and had no problems 👍

[@fouadmouloudj1684]

I have a Turkish passport. How much is the visa to Sofia by bus?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

You mean how much is a bus ticket? This was last year all the info I have is in the video

[@extremegaming3671]

was there free internet in the bus ?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Yes but it didn't work. The driver said it usually works. Sorry I forgot to add that in the video

[@ronlimedina7575]

Do you know if you still need a covid test?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I was there more than a year ago but I'm almost certain you won't need for Bulgaria. Sorry I'm only seeing this now

[@vernemassengo1658]

With a residence EU card you can not take the bus?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

I took the bus with an Irish passport. I had to show my passport to bus driver and again at Turkey border and again Bulgaria border. I don't know about an EU card. If EU card can work same as passport then maybe you're fine.

[@mohammedaminebentaibi6777]

Say So where I'm from we travel to Turkey Visa free If i got there could i get this bus to bulgaria then greece for example? Or do i need a visa? Thank you

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Luckily for me I don't need a visa for any of those countries with an Irish passport. They do check passports so I reckon you will need a visa for Bulgaria or Greece if you're not from an EU country unfortunately

[@mohammedaminebentaibi6777]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter right thanks have a good day

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

@@mohammedaminebentaibi6777 you too 👍

[@SalehRealist]

The Irish passport is even better and more stronger then the British passport nowadays get in there paul 👍

[@HK-ic7cj]

شو الفرق بيني وبينك انا إنسان وانت ايضاً والله خلقنا لماذا السفر بالنسبة إلي عبارة عن عذاب وقتل وإهانة وبالنسبة لك عبارة عن فيديو للترفيه أحيانا بسأل نفسي معقول أنا لستُ إنسان.........

[@attakennethattakenneth1313]

Hw much

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

250 Turkish lira (around 25 euro)

[@attakennethattakenneth1313]

I want to come

[@attakennethattakenneth1313]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter I give you 50 Euro

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

@@attakennethattakenneth1313 50 euro to do what??

[@attakennethattakenneth1313]

@@PaulTheIrishPainter I want to go to Bulgaria

[@vernemassengo1658]

An African can do this way too?

[@PaulTheIrishPainter]

Sorry I'm only seeing your comment. It's just like taking a flight we had to show passports leaving Turkey and entering Bulgaria. If you don't have a visa to enter you won't be able to do it.

[@mpendaseck46]

Ben numéro lasim

[@mpendaseck46]

Numero war

[@bishiler]

The can me but the see can me war

[@mauj911]

What language is that 😂😂😂😂

[@emmiekrack3050]

Great video 😂 I can I get ur email