EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express — bulgaria railway service
| # | Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| Sofia Central Sofia |
| Start |
| 19:55 |
| 2 | Plovdiv Plovdiv | 22:00 | End |
Timetable data is sourced from official Bulgaria railways records and may vary due to delays or seasonal changes. Always verify with the official operator before travelling.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express — bulgaria railway service As a express train, it is a scheduled express service running on a fixed timetable across multiple states or regions.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express runs on every day of the week, with the timetable above showing the scheduled departure time at each intermediate stop. The full route includes 2 stops with a total scheduled time of 2h 5m, averaging out to approximately 120 minutes between consecutive stations once dwell time is taken into account.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express offers 2 travel classes: 2nd Class, 1st Class. The lowest published fare is BGN 18 for 2nd Class, while the highest-class fare is BGN 28 for 1st Class. Higher-class fares typically include wider seating, better climate control, and on many long-distance services include meals or refreshments. Travel class fare differences also reflect coach configuration — for example sleeper berths convert to flat beds for overnight travel, while seated coach classes use forward-facing reclining seats arranged 2+2 or 2+1 across the aisle. Check the per-class fare table on this page for the current published price by class.
On the day of travel, arrive at the originating station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives time to locate the correct platform (platform number is announced on station information displays 20–60 minutes before departure), find your reserved coach (coach numbers are marked along the platform edge at major stations), and board with your luggage. Always cross-check the platform number against your e-ticket or seat reservation before boarding — multiple trains can depart within a short window from adjacent platforms during peak periods.
This EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express page is part of the TrainsTracking Bulgaria timetable collection covering passenger rail services across the Bulgaria Railways network. Schedule data is verified daily against the official operator timetable, and fare information reflects the most recent published tariff. TrainsTracking is an information platform and does not process bookings or payments — all ticket purchases are completed directly through the official Bulgaria Railways platform. For real-time delay information, platform changes, and same-day cancellations, always check station displays or the official operator app immediately before travel.
Reserved seating
Reserved seating
Book tickets through the official Bulgaria Railways website. Check availability and fares before travelling.
Book NowVisit your nearest railway station booking office. Bring valid ID. Book in advance for busy periods.
Contact Bulgaria Railways for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express departs at 19:55 and arrives at the final destination at 22:00. The total scheduled journey time is approximately 2h 5m. Times use the official Bulgaria timetable and are local times at each stop. Always verify with Bulgaria Railways on the day of travel as schedules can change due to engineering work or seasonal adjustments.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express fares start from approximately BGN 18 for 2nd Class class and go up to BGN 28 for 1st Class. Higher-class fares include wider seating, climate control, and on long-distance services may include meals. Book through official website for the latest published fares and to check current seat availability.
Tickets for EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express are sold through official website, the official Bulgaria Railways booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express makes 2 scheduled stops along its route. The journey starts at Sofia Central and ends at Plovdiv. Major intermediate stops include the stations listed in the timetable above. The full stop sequence with arrival and departure times is shown in the table above.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with Bulgaria Railways before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, official website typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
EC Sofia-Istanbul Balkan Express offers 2 travel classes: 2nd Class, 1st Class. Economy or standard classes have reserved numbered seats at the lowest fare. Premium classes (business, first class, sleeper) add wider seats, climate control, and on overnight services berths for lying flat. The fare table on this page lists current published prices for each class.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.