Bulgaria: How to Get Around Easily and Quickly
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Here, I explain in detail how to travel through Bulgaria, so you can explore the country with ease and safety.
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Bulgaria is a relatively large country, covering an area of 110,944 km², about 1/5th the size of France or roughly four times the size of Belgium,. I’ll leave the math enthusiasts to calculate the relative size of Belgium compared to France, but I imagine you didn’t come here for a math lesson. Fortunately, in this article, I'll show you how to get around in Bulgaria and make the most of your vacation in this beautiful Balkan country.
Table of Contents
Getting Around Bulgaria by Car
I won’t lie, in Bulgaria, the car is king of transportation. All other options are far less developed. Most people prefer to travel by car due to its convenience and flexibility, especially in regions less served by public transport. You have several options: you can come with your own vehicle, rent a car, or opt for private transport. Each option has its pros and cons regarding cost, convenience, and flexibility. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Traveling with Your Own Vehicle in Bulgaria
If you arrive in Bulgaria with your own caryou’ll enjoy some freedom in your travels. However, make sure you have a few essential items in case of a control: a safety vest, a warning triangle, lights, and headlights. Of course, don’t forget your driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle documents. These items are essential for your safety on the road and to comply with local regulations.
Vignettes and Highways in Bulgaria
To drive on the highways in Bulgaria, you must have a vignette, which you can buy online from the official website.. The prices are quite affordable, especially compared to France and other European countries. For a week in Bulgaria, a vignette costs 13 BGN (around 7 euros). If you plan to stay for a year, the price is about 45 euros.
Fun fact: the word for "vignette" in Bulgarian is “vinetka,” which is a "Bulgarized" version of the French word.
The highway network in Bulgaria is divided into seven parts, connecting the North with the South and the West with the East of the country. Most highways start from Sofiaand are numbered from A1 to A17.
Renting a Car in Bulgaria
If you didn’t come to Bulgaria by car, don’t worry. It’s relatively easy to rent one on-site. Regardless of which city you land in, you’ll easily find a company that rents vehicles. I can recommend using Discover cars. a price comparison tool that will help you find the best deal for your car rental.
Be aware that you must be 21 years old to rent a car in Bulgaria. So, if you’re 20 years and 11 months old at the time of your visit…you’ll have to wait a little!
To rent a car, you’ll need an international driver’s license. You also need to keep all the vehicle and insurance papers provided by the rental company with you. If your license is not from an EU member country, you must obtain an international driving permit for Bulgaria via the IDIP website.Also, have a credit card in your name for the deposit (although you can pay in cash at most places).
Some companies offer the option to rent a car in one city and return it in another. This is very convenient if you don’t plan on making a round trip. However, note that this service often comes with a hefty fee, ranging from 150 to 300 euros depending on the rental duration.
I also encourage you to read your rental contract carefully. It may include additional fees and conditions that could catch you off guard. It’s essential to be fully informed to avoid any unpleasant surprises during your car rental experience in Bulgaria.
Driving Rules in Bulgaria
In theory, the driving rules in Bulgaria are the same as in the European Union. However, at times, it seems that some drivers think these rules are just suggestions. You might witness quirky behaviors, like overtaking in areas where even rabbits hesitate to cross or high-speed races that would make racing cars jealous. So, keep your eyes on the road and a hand on the horn—you never know what might happen!
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Getting Around by Taxi or Private Driver
Taxis are much cheaper in Bulgaria than in France. Even locals often use taxis for getting around town. Some companies also offer fixed-rate rides from point A to point B for a pre-determined price. If your budget allows, I recommend looking into this option and booking your ride in advance. This way, you can plan your trips with peace of mind and avoid any surprises during your stay in Bulgaria.
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Gas and Electric Cars in Bulgaria
Gas prices in Bulgaria are generally lower than in France. However, it's important to be cautious, as prices can vary significantly from one gas station to another. I recommend checking gas price trends before your trip to avoid any surprises and choose the most budget-friendly stations.
As for electric cars, they are not very popular in Bulgaria. The initial purchase cost of electric vehicles remains high compared to gas or diesel cars, making the latter more accessible for many Bulgarians. Moreover, the electric vehicle charging network in Bulgaria is not as developed as in other European countries, which may discourage potential drivers from adopting this technology.
Travel in Bulgaria by plane
Rest assured, I’m not going to advise you to buy a private jet to come to Bulgaria. However, some tourists prefer to save time (but not CO2) by flying across the country. This is possible, particularly between Sofia and the Black Sea, ( to discover Sozopol and Nessebar for example).
The main airports are located in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas. A plane trip might be a good solution for you if your time is limited. A bus ride between Sofia and Varna takes between 7 and 9 hours, while a flight will get you to your destination in 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Travelling by bus in Bulgaria
For those of us who don’t drive (like me), the most convenient mode of transport is the bus. The bus network is very well developed, making it easy to travel from one city to another thanks to major bus companies. To buy a ticket, you simply need to go to the bus station in your city. There, you may encounter the challenge of communicating with the ticket sales staff. If you’re lucky, the person who speaks English will be available. Otherwise, you might have to manage with gestures and a few shared words. But don’t worry, most Bulgarians understand English or will at least help you buy a bus ticket.
You can also buy your ticket online through the website of your chosen bus station. These sites are usually translated into English.
Travelling by train in Bulgaria
My favourite mode of transport is thetrain.Unfortunately, it’s not always the ideal choice in Bulgaria, where those responsible for building and maintaining the railway networks sometimes leave much to be desired. The company BDZ (the Bulgarian equivalent of SNCF) sometimes seems to take delays lightly, keeping passengers waiting for hours for delayed trains or calling a journey that takes 7 hours to cover 300 km a "fast train."
To be completely honest with you, I’m currently on the Sofia – Burgas train. The "fast" train is supposed to cover the 381 km in 6 hours. Alas, the train is already 2 hours and 25 minutes late. But in the company of desperate Bulgarians, I’m taking it with a grain of humor.
It’s also not uncommon for trains to be replaced by buses at the last minute. That’s exactly what happened to me on my last train trip in Bulgaria. To travel from Ruse to Varna (200 km), my journey took 9 hours. The first part was by mini-bus (announced as a train), and the train for the last 60 km was 3 hours late. Despite these mishaps, I eventually arrived safely, and now I can tell this story with humour.
To buy your train ticket, simply visit the BDZ ou dans la gare de votre choix. Les trains Sofia-Burgas website or the station of your choice. For example, Sofia-Burgas trains also exist as night trains, which can be convenient for the 7-hour overnight journey. 1st class tickets are only a few euros more expensive, and you can enjoy greater comfort.
Hitch-hiking in Bulgaria
As I’ve mentioned several times before, but I’ll repeat: Bulgarians are generally very friendly. So, if you’re considering hitch-hiking in Bulgaria, you can often count on people stopping to pick you up and take you to your destination. However, it’s always wise to stay vigilant and only get into a vehicle if you trust the driver. If not, simply wait for the next one.
Eating in Bulgaria during a trip
If you’re travelling by car or bus in Bulgaria, you’ll certainly have the chance to take a break along the way.On the main roads, you’ll often find small stops with restaurants and cafes.In Bulgarian, these places are called « kapancheta »which literally means "little traps." But don’t worry, this nickname is given affectionately. You’ll find good food and other travellers like yourself there. It’s a great way to experience the local culture and share travel experiences while recharging your batteries for the road. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy a well-deserved break before continuing your journey through the varied landscapes of Bulgaria.
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
Travelling in Bulgaria can be an adventure full of twists and turns, especially when it comes to choosing your mode of transport. Between trains that turn into buses and “fast trains” that take their time, it’s best to be prepared to improvise and take delays with humour. Despite these minor inconveniences, the well-developed bus network offers a more reliable alternative for those who want to avoid surprises. In any case, whether you choose the train, the bus, or even walking, always keep your sense of adventure and humour at hand when travelling in Bulgaria! And of course, if you need help organizing your trip, don’t hesitate to make use of my services of travel planning expertI’d be delighted to help you discover my country.
Transports et déplacements en Bulgarie
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For more useful information
To find your plane ticket :
I can recommend you use ExpediaI trust them with my own travels and when I am working with clients
For your hotel reservation
I invite you to look into Hotels.fr they have a large choice of bookings and your client services are always available
Pour trouver des activités sur place :
I use either viator or GetYourGuideThe two plateforms offer a large choice of activities at reasonable prices
To rent a car
I recommend discovercarsTheir prices are competitive and they have a great customer service
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