Bulgaria Travel Budget: How Much Does Transportation Really Cost?

Most travellers plan their Bulgarian hotels down to the last lev, then discover that getting between cities, and from the airport to the bed, eats a bigger share of the budget than expected. Prices are changing, apps are replacing paper tickets, and the cheapest option on paper is not always the cheapest in practice. Below are the 2026 transportation costs, shown in BGN with EUR equivalents at the fixed rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN. These are estimates based on current prices and trends, so expect small shifts from inflation and fuel costs.

What Transportation Really Costs: The 2026 Budget Tiers

Here is how the main options stack up before we look at each one in detail.

Budget

• Sofia to Plovdiv by BDZ train: BGN 9.50 – BGN 11.00 (EUR 4.86 – EUR 5.62) one-way
• Sofia Metro single journey: BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02)
• Sofia City Card 24-hour pass: BGN 4.00 (EUR 2.04), plus a one-time card cost of BGN 3.00 (EUR 1.53)

Mid-range

• Sofia to Plovdiv by bus: BGN 15.00 – BGN 20.00 (EUR 7.67 – EUR 10.23) one-way
• Sofia to Varna by bus: BGN 35.00 – BGN 45.00 (EUR 17.89 – EUR 23.01) one-way
• Short Bolt ride in Sofia (3-5 km): BGN 6.00 – BGN 10.00 (EUR 3.07 – EUR 5.11)

Comfortable

• Sofia to Varna flight, basic fare: BGN 70 – BGN 150 (EUR 35.79 – EUR 76.69) one-way
• Economy rental car: BGN 40 – BGN 70 (EUR 20.45 – EUR 35.79) per day
• Pre-booked private airport transfer in Sofia: BGN 30.00 – BGN 60.00 (EUR 15.34 – EUR 30.68)

Distance is the main cost driver. Inside cities you can spend very little. Between cities, the choice between train, bus and plane decides whether you pay BGN 10 or BGN 150.

Trains with BDZ: Fares, Berths and Buying Tickets

BDZ, the Bulgarian State Railways, is the cheapest way to cover long distances, though journeys take longer than the bus. Standard class is comfortable enough for daytime travel. Express trains (Barz Vlak) are generally faster and stop at fewer stations than the slower “Patnicheski Vlak” passenger trains. On a slow regional line, expect the rhythmic rattle of the carriage and open windows in summer, and a slower pace than the motorway.

Estimated 2026 standard one-way fares:

• Sofia to Plovdiv (about 2.5-3.5 hours): BGN 9.50 – BGN 11.00 (EUR 4.86 – EUR 5.62)
• Sofia to Varna (about 7-8 hours): BGN 28.00 – BGN 32.00 (EUR 14.32 – EUR 16.36)
• Sofia to Burgas (about 6-7 hours): BGN 25.00 – BGN 29.00 (EUR 12.78 – EUR 14.83)

Seat reservations are mandatory on some express trains and recommended on longer journeys, especially in peak season. They typically cost an extra BGN 0.50 – BGN 1.00 (EUR 0.25 – EUR 0.51).

For overnight routes such as Sofia-Varna and Sofia-Burgas, these supplements apply:

• Couchette (6-berth): BGN 10-15 (EUR 5.11-7.67) per bed
• Sleeper (3-berth): BGN 15-25 (EUR 7.67-12.78) per bed
• Sleeper (single/double cabin): BGN 30-50 (EUR 15.34-25.56) per cabin

How to buy BDZ tickets step by step

1. Go to bdz.bg/en.
2. Select your departure and arrival stations, the date and the train type.
3. Pay with a credit or debit card.
4. Receive the e-ticket by email and show it on your phone or print it.

You can also buy at ticket offices in all major stations, which is sensible for popular routes and peak times. Buying onboard is possible but usually carries a small surcharge, and it is not guaranteed if the train is full.

Intercity Buses: The Faster, Pricier Option

Buses cost more than trains on the same routes, but they are often faster and depart more frequently between major cities. The Sofia Central Bus Station is the main hub, and mornings there smell of coffee and fresh pastry from the kiosks while departure announcements echo under the roof.

Estimated 2026 one-way fares:

• Sofia to Plovdiv (about 2-2.5 hours): BGN 15.00 – BGN 20.00 (EUR 7.67 – EUR 10.23)
• Sofia to Varna (about 6-7 hours): BGN 35.00 – BGN 45.00 (EUR 17.89 – EUR 23.01)
• Sofia to Burgas (about 5-6 hours): BGN 30.00 – BGN 40.00 (EUR 15.34 – EUR 20.45)
• Plovdiv to Burgas (about 3-4 hours): BGN 20.00 – BGN 28.00 (EUR 10.23 – EUR 14.32)

For online booking, look at these operators: Biomet (biomet.bg), Union Ivkoni (union-ivkoni.com) and Karat-S (karat-s.com). Aggregators busfor.bg and avtogari.info help with schedules and some online tickets. Choose route, date and time, pay by card, and the e-ticket arrives by email. You can also buy directly at station ticket offices.

Compare the Sofia-Burgas numbers. The train costs BGN 25.00 – BGN 29.00 and takes 6-7 hours, while the bus costs BGN 30.00 – BGN 40.00 and takes 5-6. You pay roughly BGN 5-11 more to save about an hour.

Domestic Flights: When Paying More Saves a Day

Bulgaria has very few domestic flights. The main routes are Sofia (SOF) to Varna (VAR), and Sofia to Burgas (BOJ), which is primarily seasonal. Bulgaria Air (air.bg/en) is the national carrier and runs the Sofia-Varna route year-round, with seasonal flights to Burgas. Wizz Air (wizzair.com/en-gb) occasionally offers seasonal flights on these routes, but less consistently, so check its site for current availability.

Estimated 2026 one-way prices for Sofia to Varna:

• Basic economy, carry-on only: BGN 70 – BGN 150 (EUR 35.79 – EUR 76.69)
• With checked baggage: BGN 100 – BGN 200 (EUR 51.13 – EUR 102.26)

Seasonal Sofia-Burgas flights are priced similarly. Fares swing with booking time, season and demand. Compared with a BGN 28.00 – BGN 32.00 train ticket for the same trip, a flight only makes sense if time matters more than money. Competition is limited, with Bulgaria Air the dominant operator.

Getting Around Sofia: Metro Tickets, Contactless and City Card

Sofia is the only Bulgarian city with a metro. It runs four lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, with M4 an extension of M2) from roughly 05:00 to midnight. The official site is the Sofia Urban Mobility Centre at sofiatraffic.bg/en.

Fare options in 2026

• Single journey ticket: BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02)
• Contactless bank card: tap a Visa or Mastercard, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay, at the turnstile. It charges the single journey fare.
• Paper card for 10 journeys: BGN 12.00 (EUR 6.14) from machines or kiosks
• Sofia City Card: a reusable smart card costing BGN 3.00 (EUR 1.53), loaded with credits or passes
• 24-hour pass: BGN 4.00 (EUR 2.04), valid on metro, bus, tram and trolleybus
• 72-hour pass: BGN 10.00 (EUR 5.11), valid on all public transport
• Monthly pass: BGN 50.00 (EUR 25.56), mostly for longer stays

Ticket machines accept cash and cards, and you insert the ticket into the turnstile reader. With the City Card, tap it on the reader and make sure it holds credit or a valid pass.

If you plan three or more rides in a day, the BGN 4.00 24-hour pass beats single tickets. For a short stay with only a couple of rides, tapping your bank card is the simplest option.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing: Bolt, Local Companies and Scams to Avoid

Bolt is the dominant ride-hailing app in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. It is available on the App Store and Google Play, shows the price upfront and takes cashless payment. Uber is not available in Bulgaria, as it ceased operations in 2015.

Estimated 2026 Bolt fares in Sofia:

• Start fee: BGN 1.00 – BGN 1.50 (EUR 0.51 – EUR 0.77)
• Per km (day rate): BGN 0.90 – BGN 1.20 (EUR 0.46 – EUR 0.61)



• Per minute in slow traffic or waiting: BGN 0.25 – BGN 0.35 (EUR 0.13 – EUR 0.18)
• Short city ride (3-5 km): BGN 6.00 – BGN 10.00 (EUR 3.07 – EUR 5.11)
• Airport to city centre: BGN 18.00 – BGN 25.00 (EUR 9.20 – EUR 12.78)

Traditional taxi companies also have apps, mainly in Sofia: Yellow! (yellow333.com/en) and Green Taxi (greentaxi.bg/en). For phone bookings, reputable names are Yellow! 333, Green Taxi 933 and OK Supertrans 9732121.

If you hail a taxi on the street

• Look for an official taxi sign and a meter.
• Check that the price per km, start fee and per-minute rate are displayed on the window.
• Make sure the meter is on and visible.
• Be wary of unofficial taxis at airports and tourist hotspots, which may charge inflated prices.
• Cash is common, but many official taxis accept cards.

Car Rental: The Full Cost Beyond the Daily Rate

A car gives you freedom in rural areas, but the headline rate is only part of the bill. Estimated 2026 daily rates:

• Economy (VW Polo, Dacia Sandero): BGN 40 – BGN 70 (EUR 20.45 – EUR 35.79)
• Mid-range (Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus): BGN 70 – BGN 120 (EUR 35.79 – EUR 61.35)
• SUV or larger: BGN 100 – BGN 200+ (EUR 51.13 – EUR 102.26+)

Weekly rates are cheaper per day, and booking early matters in summer. Compare prices on rentalcars.com or economycarrentals.com, or check local companies like Top Rent A Car (toprentacar.bg/en).

Insurance, deposit and requirements

• Third-party liability: mandatory and usually included.
• Collision Damage Waiver: often included, with a high excess of around BGN 1000-2500 (EUR 511-1278).
• Full coverage (FDW / Super CDW): reduces or waives the excess for BGN 15 – BGN 30 (EUR 7.67 – EUR 15.34) per day.
• Deposit: typically BGN 300 – BGN 1500 (EUR 153 – EUR 767), blocked on a credit card in the main driver’s name.
• Driver requirements: a valid licence (an international driving permit is recommended for non-EU licences), a minimum age usually 21-23 with 1-2 years of experience, and possible young driver surcharges under 25.

Fuel, vignette and parking

• Petrol (A95): BGN 2.50 – BGN 3.00 (EUR 1.28 – EUR 1.53) per litre
• Diesel: BGN 2.60 – BGN 3.10 (EUR 1.33 – EUR 1.58) per litre
• Vignette: required on most national roads and motorways. Rental cars usually include a valid e-vignette, but confirm this. For a personal car, a weekly vignette is BGN 13.00 (EUR 6.65) and a monthly one BGN 27.00 (EUR 13.80). Check or buy at bgtoll.bg/en.
• Blue Zone parking (central): BGN 2.00 – BGN 3.00 (EUR 1.02 – EUR 1.53) per hour, with limited duration



• Green Zone parking (less central): BGN 1.00 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.51 – EUR 1.02) per hour
• Underground garages: BGN 2.00 – BGN 4.00 (EUR 1.02 – EUR 2.04) per hour, or BGN 20.00 – BGN 40.00 (EUR 10.23 – EUR 20.45) per 24 hours

Zone parking can be paid by SMS (which needs a local SIM), at meters, or through mobile apps such as VirtuBOX.

Airport Transfers in Sofia, Varna and Burgas

Sofia Airport (SOF) to the city centre, about 10-12 km

• Metro: the cheapest and most convenient option, at the standard single fare of BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02). The station is at Terminal 2. From Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2, which runs every 15-20 minutes. Line 4 connects to the city centre (Serdika, Sofia University) in about 20-30 minutes.
• Public bus: lines 84 and 184 go to Sofia University or Gen. Gurko Street in 30-45 minutes. The fare is the same single ticket price, bought from machines at stops or from the driver with a small surcharge.
• App taxi (Bolt, Yellow!, Green Taxi): BGN 18.00 – BGN 25.00 (EUR 9.20 – EUR 12.78), about 15-30 minutes.
• OK Supertrans airport taxi: BGN 20.00 – BGN 30.00 (EUR 10.23 – EUR 15.34). Use the counter inside the terminal and avoid touts.
• Pre-booked private transfer: BGN 30.00 – BGN 60.00 (EUR 15.34 – EUR 30.68), with the driver meeting you at arrivals.

Varna Airport (VAR), about 8-10 km

• Bus 409: goes to the city centre, Golden Sands and St. Constantine and Helena resorts, for BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02). It takes about 20-30 minutes to the centre.
• Taxi: BGN 15.00 – BGN 25.00 (EUR 7.67 – EUR 12.78). Use official airport taxis or Bolt.

Burgas Airport (BOJ), about 10-12 km

• Bus 15: goes to the South Bus Station in the city centre for BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02), in about 20-30 minutes.
• Taxi: BGN 20.00 – BGN 30.00 (EUR 10.23 – EUR 15.34). Use official airport taxis or Bolt.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Sofia Metro contactless payment: rolled out progressively from late 2024 and fully operational by early 2025. You can tap a bank card or phone at the turnstile, which also simplifies airport transfers.
• BDZ online ticketing: improved significantly in late 2024 and early 2025, with a friendlier interface, wider route selection and seat reservations directly on the platform. Fewer travellers need to queue at stations.
• Rolling stock: some older trains are gradually being replaced or refurbished, so certain routes are slightly more comfortable. Timelines vary by line.
• Metro Line 3: work continues on extensions, with new stations potentially opening by 2026. Check sofiatraffic.bg for exact opening dates.



• Buses: major operators have increased online ticketing and real-time tracking, with no significant regulatory changes.
• Flights: no major new domestic routes. Bulgaria Air remains dominant, and fuel surcharges and baggage fees may have seen minor adjustments.
• Taxis and cars: taxi fares have risen modestly due to inflation and fuel costs. Local municipalities may adjust maximum fare tariffs. Car rental and fuel prices show a modest upward trend, with no major changes to vignette rules.

Common Transport Budget Mistakes

• Assuming the bus is always the cheapest. On Sofia-Varna, the train costs BGN 28.00 – BGN 32.00 against BGN 35.00 – BGN 45.00 by bus. The train is slower but cheaper.
• Ignoring flight baggage fees. A basic Sofia-Varna fare is BGN 70 – BGN 150, but adding a checked bag moves it to BGN 100 – BGN 200.
• Accepting any taxi at the airport. Unofficial touts may inflate prices. Use Bolt, the OK Supertrans counter or a pre-booked transfer.
• Skipping full coverage on a rental. With an excess of BGN 1000-2500 (EUR 511-1278), the extra BGN 15 – BGN 30 per day is cheap peace of mind.
• Forgetting the deposit. A hold of BGN 300 – BGN 1500 (EUR 153 – EUR 767) needs room on a credit card in the driver’s name.
• Relying on SMS parking without a local SIM. Use meters or an app like VirtuBOX instead.
• Waiting to book the train until you are at the station. Peak-season reservations are easier online, and onboard purchases may carry a surcharge or be refused if the train is full.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a train from Sofia to Plovdiv cost in 2026?

A standard one-way BDZ ticket from Sofia to Plovdiv is estimated at BGN 9.50 – BGN 11.00 (EUR 4.86 – EUR 5.62), and the trip takes about 2.5-3.5 hours. Seat reservations may add BGN 0.50 – BGN 1.00 (EUR 0.25 – EUR 0.51). You can book online at bdz.bg/en.

Can I pay for the Sofia Metro with my bank card?

Yes. Since late 2024 and early 2025 you can tap a Visa or Mastercard, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly at the turnstile. It charges the single journey fare of BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02). You do not need to buy a ticket first.

Does Uber work in Bulgaria?

No. Uber stopped operating in Bulgaria in 2015. Bolt is the main ride-hailing app in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas, with upfront pricing and cashless payment. Traditional companies such as Yellow! and Green Taxi also have apps, mainly in Sofia.

What is the cheapest way to get from Sofia Airport to the city centre?

The metro is the cheapest and most convenient option, at BGN 1.60 – BGN 2.00 (EUR 0.82 – EUR 1.02). The station is at Terminal 2, and a free shuttle links Terminal 1 every 15-20 minutes. The ride takes roughly 20-30 minutes to the centre.

Do I need to buy a vignette for a rental car in Bulgaria?

Rental cars usually include a valid e-vignette, but confirm this with the rental company before you drive. A vignette is mandatory on most national roads and motorways. For a personal car, a weekly one costs BGN 13.00 (EUR 6.65), and you can check or buy at bgtoll.bg/en.

---

📷 Featured image by JOGphotos on Unsplash.