Travel to Bulgaria
Flying to Bulgaria
Sofia Airport (SOF) is Bulgaria's principal international gateway, with extensive connections to cities across Europe and services to destinations in the Middle East. The airport lies around 10km (6 miles) east of central Sofia and is connected to the city by metro and bus services.
Varna Airport (VAR) and Burgas Airport (BOJ) serve the Black Sea coast and handle numerous international flights, particularly during the summer holiday season. Plovdiv Airport (PDV) also receives a smaller number of international services.
Flight times
From London to Sofia: 3 hours (direct).
Travelling to Bulgaria by Rail
International trains connect Bulgaria with Romania and Türkiye. Services operate between Sofia and Bucharest, with additional seasonal connections between Varna and Bucharest, while another route links Sofia with Craiova via Vidin. Sofia is also connected with Halkalı, on the outskirts of Istanbul, by a daily overnight train with couchette and sleeping cars.
Sofia Central Railway Station is the country's main hub for international rail travel. International timetables can change because of engineering works and seasonal adjustments, so travellers should check current schedules before departure.
Rail passes
Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on participating rail services in Bulgaria. Reservations and supplements may be required for sleeping cars, couchettes and some international trains.
Driving to Bulgaria
Bulgaria shares land borders with Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Türkiye. Major international roads connect Sofia with Belgrade, Skopje, Thessaloniki and Istanbul, while routes across the Danube link northern Bulgaria with Romania. Long-distance coaches operate between Sofia and numerous cities in neighbouring countries and elsewhere in Europe.
Bulgaria and Romania are both part of the Schengen Area, as is Greece, so travellers normally cross the Romanian and Greek borders without routine immigration checks. The borders with Serbia, North Macedonia and Türkiye are external Schengen borders and passport controls apply. However, travellers should carry valid travel documents even when crossing internal Schengen borders.
Traffic can be heavy at the Turkish border, particularly during summer and major holiday periods. Drivers using Bulgarian motorways and most major roads are required to display an electronic vignette, while separate toll arrangements apply to heavier vehicles.
Getting to Bulgaria by boat
There are no regular international passenger ferry services across the Black Sea aimed at ordinary travellers. Bulgaria's main Black Sea ports are Varna and Burgas, but international passenger arrivals by sea are primarily associated with cruise ships.
Cruise ships
International cruise ships call at Bulgarian Black Sea ports, principally Varna and Burgas, although the number and frequency of calls vary by season and itinerary. Danube river cruises also visit Bulgarian ports including Ruse and Vidin as part of itineraries through Central and Southeast Europe.
