Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Sofia (SOF): 10 km from city.
• Varna (VAR): 9 km from city.
• Bourgas (BOJ): 13 km from city.
• Full list of airports in Bulgaria with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

Air transportation in Bulgaria is relatively well developed, with domestic airports connecting Sofia with major towns such as Vidin, Pleven, Silistra, Targovishte, Stara Zagora, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Rousse, Kardzhali, Haskovo and Sliven. Flights are relatively cheap, costing only slightly more than rail travel.

Regular boat and hydrofoil services along the Danube link many centres, such as Kozloduj, Lom, Nikopol, Orjahovo, Svishtov, Tutrakan, Silistra and Vidin.

There is approximately 6,500 km of railtrack, linking Sofia with main towns. There is a €360,000,000 project for the modernisation and electrification of the Plovdiv-Kapitan Andreevo railway. Visitors can take advantage of the InterRail One-Country Pass, which offers travel for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days in one month within the country.

Bulgaria has 102,016 km of roads, of which 93,855 km are paved and 416 km are motorways. More motorways are planned, under construction or partially built. Tolls are charged on motorways and main roads out of town. Speed limits are strictly adhered to: 120 kph (75 mph) on motorways, 90 kph (55 mph) outside built-up areas and 50 kph (30 mph) in built-up areas. Night driving can be dangerous owing to poor lighting. International road signs are used, although roadworks are often not signposted. Visitors should be aware of the high risk of car-jacking; especially at night. Some criminals will pose as traffic policemen in order to steal cars. Car hire can usually be arranged through hotels.

There is a good network of buses, although they often have somewhat erratic timetabling. Taxis are also available for intercity journeys; vehicles are metered, unless they are privately owned. However, some meters may be rigged in order to overcharge foreign passengers; visitors should therefore take great caution in determining the correct fare before travel. A 5 to 10% tip is appreciated.

There is well organised public transport in the cities and in many smaller towns. There are buses, trolleys (in about 20 cities) and trams (in Sofia). The Sofia Metro in the capital is to have 3 lines with total length of about 48 km and 52 stations, although currently only one section has been completed. Flat fares are charged on all transport and tickets must be pre-purchased.