Complete Guide to Transportation in Bulgaria: Airports, Metro, Intercity Buses & Driving
Sofia Airport is directly connected to the city by metro, intercity buses are faster than trains, and getting around between the Black Sea and the mountains is actually quite simple.
Arrival and Getting into Town
| Airport | Ways into Town | Time/Price |
|---|
| Sofia Airport (SOF) | Metro Lines 1/3 (Sofia Airport station), taxi | Metro: 30 minutes, around 2 leva; Taxi: 20–30 minutes, 15–25 leva |
| Varna (VAR) | Bus 9 or taxi | Bus: 30 minutes, around 1.6 leva |
| Burgas (BOJ) | Bus 15 or taxi | Bus: 25 minutes, around 1.6 leva |
Public Transport in Cities
- Sofia Metro: Lines M1–M4 intersect, covering the airport, central train station, and main attractions. Single ride costs around 2 leva; you can tap with a bank card or buy a 10-leva day pass.
- Buses and Trams: Tickets cost around 1.6 leva. Tap on board or buy a paper ticket in advance, and remember to validate your ticket.
- Taxis: Use licensed companies like OK Supertrans and Yellow, and make sure the meter is used. In Sofia, fares are around 0.8–1 lev per kilometer.
Intercity Transport
- Intercity Buses: Frequent and fast. Sofia Central Bus Station serves destinations nationwide including Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, and Varna. Fares range from 10–40 leva, with tickets usually bought on site.
- Trains (BDZ): There are some faster lines to Plovdiv taking about 2 hours; mountain and Black Sea routes are slower and better for scenic travel than for speed.
- Black Sea Coast: In summer, there are frequent buses and airport shuttle services connecting Varna, Burgas, and Nesebar.
Driving Essentials
- Nationwide highways require a Vignette (electronic road toll sticker), around 15 leva/week, available at gas stations and online.
- In mountainous areas (like the Rila and Bansko regions), snow tires or chains are needed in winter, and roads have many sharp turns—drive carefully.
- Check schedules and routes using the BDZ website, Avtogari platform, and Google Maps. For city taxis, use TaxMe or V-taxi.
- Major gas station chains include OMV, Shell, and Petrol. In mountainous areas, stations can be far apart, so it’s a good idea to fill up when you see one.
Seasonal Money-Saving Tips
During the Black Sea high season (July–August), airport shuttles and intercity buses run more frequently but prices go up. Booking online in advance can help you secure lower fares. During ski season, weekend direct ski resort buses between Sofia and Bansko are available for around 25–35 leva, which is more hassle-free than driving. Students and seniors over 62 get 50% off train tickets, and international student IDs are also valid on some routes.