Sofia to Ankara flights
Ankara lies 853 km (530 mi) east of Sofia, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 51 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Sofia | Ankara | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria | Turkey |
| Population | 1.2 million | 3.5 million |
| Elevation | 562 m (1,844 ft) | 874 m (2,867 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Europe/Sofia) | UTC+3 (Europe/Istanbul) |
| Nearest large airport | SOF, 8 km out | ESB, 26 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Ankara
Crossing from Bulgaria into Turkey: money changes from the Lev to the Lira (TRY); the dialling code becomes +90; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25743529.
Airports at each end
Leaving Sofia
Sofia is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Sofia Airport (SOF), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
Arriving in Ankara
Ankara is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Esenboğa International Airport (ESB), 26 km (16 mi) from the centre, whose 12,303-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esenboğa International Airport | ESB | 26 km (16 mi) | 12,303 ft | 3,125 ft |
Book a flight to Ankara
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Ankara
Our booking partner lists 398 places to stay in Ankara. Of the 168 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (80), and 26 are five-star. Across 159 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.1 out of 10. Guests have left 56,788 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Ankara
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Ankara from Sofia?
853 km (530 mi) in a straight line, east of Sofia.
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Ankara by air?
About 1 h 51 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Sofia and Ankara?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Sofia to Ankara flights?
Typically Sofia Airport (SOF) to Esenboğa International Airport (ESB).
What currency do I need in Ankara?
The Lira (TRY).
Where can I stay in Ankara?
Our booking partner lists 398 places to stay in Ankara, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.