Getting around Bulgaria: train, bus, rental car and when each makes sense

Bulgaria is a mid-sized, affordable, accessible country: 110,000 km² (similar to Portugal) with mostly decent roads, slow but cheap trains, modern buses and rental cars at €35/day. The question isn’t “do I have options” but which to pick for each leg. This guide covers all four modes with updated prices, typical routes and when to choose each.

Overview

• 🚂Train Cheap, slow, scenic
• 🚌Flixbus Main routes
• 🚗Car Rural freedom
• 📱App Yandex Go (taxi)

Train: for the unhurried

Operator: BDŽ (Bulgarian national railways). State network, very low prices, slow speeds. Mixed rolling stock — some modernised trains, some decades-old Soviet.

Main routes:

• Sofia-Plovdiv: 2-3 h, 8 BGN (2nd class). Frequent.
• Sofia-Varna: 7-8 h (overnight possible). 20-30 BGN.
• Sofia-Burgas: 7 h. 20-25 BGN.
• Sofia-Ruse: 7-8 h. 20-30 BGN.
• Plovdiv-Burgas: 5-6 h. 15-20 BGN.

When to pick train:

• Plovdiv-Sofia (fast, comfortable).
• You want scenery (Sofia→Septemvri→Velingrad stretch is spectacular).
• Very tight budget.

Avoid the train for Sofia-Varna if you don’t want to lose a day — bus is faster.

Bus: the workhorse

Operators:

• Flixbus: European network, modern buses, wifi, AC. App.
• Union-Ivkoni: national, good value.
• Arda: regional.
• BioMet: Black Sea coast.

Main routes:

• Sofia-Plovdiv: 2 h, 15-20 BGN. Hourly.
• Sofia-Varna: 6-7 h, 35-45 BGN.
• Sofia-Burgas: 6 h, 35-45 BGN.
• Sofia-Veliko Tarnovo: 3-4 h, 20-25 BGN.
• Sofia-Bansko: 3 h, 20 BGN.

Sofia central station: Tsentralna Avtogara, next to the train station. Buy online (Flixbus app) or at the counter.

When to pick bus: by default. Faster than train and cheaper than car. Covers 90% of tourist routes.

Rental car: for rural areas

Prices: €35-60/day by season and car (economy-compact). Franchises at Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas airports.

Recommended operators:

• Top Rent A Car (local, cheap, reliable).
• Enterprise, Hertz, Budget (international, pricier but safe).

Roads: highways (AM) good. Secondary roads variable — some excellent, some potholed. Smooth driving except Sofia rush hour.

Fuel: petrol 2.60-2.80 BGN/L (diesel slightly less). Filling 50 L costs ~€70.

Tolls: electronic vignette required. Buy online (tolls.bg) or at petrol station. 15 BGN/week, 45 BGN/month.

When to pick car:

• Rhodope or Rila (monasteries, mountains).
• Enotourism (scattered wineries).
• Complete multi-destination route (10+ days).

When not to pick car: Sofia as base + 1-2 day trips. Better bus + tours.

Taxis: Yandex Go

Yandex Go is the dominant app (Uber doesn’t operate in Bulgaria). Works in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas. Regulated rates, card payment.

Typical fares:

• Sofia airport-centre: 15-20 BGN (€8-10).
• Plovdiv centre-Kapana: 5-7 BGN.
• Varna: centre-Alba Gaviota: 10-15 BGN.

Outside major cities: local taxis, negotiate fare BEFORE boarding. If no visible meter, 1 BGN/km is the reference.

Night trains and ferry

Sofia-Varna or Sofia-Burgas night train: sleep in couchette, 40-60 BGN extra. Saves a hotel night.

Varna-Batumi (Georgia) or Varna-Odesa (Ukraine) ferry: operated pre-2022, currently suspended or very reduced. Confirm at the time.

How to combine

Classic route (10 days, no car):

• Fly to Sofia → Sofia (2n) → Plovdiv by train → Plovdiv (2n) → Veliko Tarnovo by bus → VT (2n) → Varna by bus → Varna (3n) → return flight from Varna.

Complete route (14 days, with car):

• Sofia (2n) → pick up car → Rila (1n monastery) → Bansko (2n) → Plovdiv (2n) → Kazanlak (1n tombs) → Veliko Tarnovo (2n) → Varna (2n) → Nessebar (1n) → return car Burgas → fly from Burgas.

The complete Bulgaria guide from Far Guides dedicates a section to transport with calendar-aligned routes, real point-to-point times and budget alternatives.