If you want to get around Bulgaria using the public transport, this is not that difficult. Plus, public transport is quite cheap. Have in mind, however, these few tips when looking for public transportation:
- The bus transport between cities is faster than the state railways (BDZ), but it’s a bit more expensive. It is mostly private transport companies, comfortable (air-condition in most, movies in some), reliable.
- The bus transport between villages is done by both private shuttles and state buses. Opt for the private shuttle where possible – faster and newer, pricing is usually the same.
- Bigger cities (Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, etc) have several bus stations. One is usually for inter-city buses. The others for local transport (in between villages in the area). So make sure to inquire which bus stop your bus will depart from.
- The railways have delays now and then and might be pretty full, especially around public holidays and in the summer (trains to the seaside). In this case you may book a first-class ticket, not much more expensive, but at least will ensure a comfortable trip.
- For night travel with the railways opt for a sleeping wagon, your travel will be way more comfortable. Sleeping wagons better be booked in advance, especially throughout the summer.
- If you buy tickets online – it’s best that you also print them, not just have them on your phone, tablet, etc
Booking bus and railway tickets online:
Union Ivkoni (online tickets with discount, but interface is in Bulgarian)
Railway company:
BDZ (www.bdz.bg). You can buy online tickets for the major train destinations here https://bdz.transportinfo.bg/en. For some destinations / trains it’s not possible to buy a ticket online.
Transport on the Black seaside
If you’ve headed to the Black seaside, you’d probably want to move around in between the resorts (check out also Ravadinovo castle near Sozopol). Do not take taxis – they overcharge quite a lot! Go to the bus station and you are bound to find many private shuttles departing for your desired destination – mostly private bus companies. Cost is times less than a taxi.
Have in mind that Burgas and Varna are the main hubs for the shuttles. So, if you want to travel from a resort 1 south of Burgas to a resort 2 north of Varna lets say, take a shuttle first from resort 1 to Burgas bus station, in Burgas take a shuttle to Varna (it stops at all major resorts between Burgas and Varna), then from Varna bus station take a shuttle northwards of Varna, to your resort 2.
Shuttles are very frequent throughout the summer season. Drivers speak enough English, so don’t hesitate to ask them where they stop, if you are hesitating.
If you are a party – you may as well rent a car to go around. In any resort there are for sure free parking places, if not in the resort center, then a bit outside of the resort center.
About transport using taxis
Taxis are of course not public transport but since often they are the most convenient transport, especially for transport in the cities, here are some tips:
- Many taxis will overcharge, especially if they see you are a foreign tourist. If staying in a hotel, better ask the reception to call a trusted taxi company rather than catch a taxi on the street
- Upon entering the taxi, monitor the bill. If you see it gets increased pretty fast – just get off at some point.
- The taxi overcharge issue is particularly observed in the capital Sofia. For Sofia I would advise to just install the mobile app TaxiMe (Play store and App store) and call a taxi using it (you may enter a promo code GREETBG for 2 leva off your first bill). The rates are fair and everything is tracked via the mobile app. You can also pay via a credit / debit card. See also my article on how to avoid being overcharged for taxi at Sofia airport
Transport using private drivers
Private drivers are another convenient option for travelling around Bulgaria, if don’t feel like using the public transport or renting a car. They will help you make the most of your vacation, being familiar with how to approach and make the most of the major tourist sights in the country.
You can book a fixed rate taxi with an English speaking driver. There are some companies with good reviews and transparent terms. Check out Around Bulgaria which has pretty good reviews on TripAdvisor (see also their website and Facebook page).
Haven’t decided where to stay at? Take a look at Sofia accommodation deals:
Thank you for the information on your site. It really helps foreigners, because there is little available in English about Bulgaria.
I have a question.
I will do a kayak trip in Bulgaria from Tyulenovo to Burgas in early June. I would like to use public transport to get back from Burgas to Mangalia (Romania). Can you please recommend something how to do this trip? I use a folding kayak, so it will be a large backpack, which is accepted in busses and trains.
Thank you.
Hi Tiha
Great about your kayak trip! We also travel via foldable kayak (inflatable to be precise) and do enjoy kayak trips a lot.
Now, to get back from Burgas to Mangalia easiest would be to:
1. Take a bus from Burgas to Varna (go to Burgas bus station, there are many buses travelling to Varna, including small private buses called marshrutka, no need to reserve as there are many)
2. Once in Varna bus station you can take a bus to Mangalia – the buses to Odessa usually pass through Mangalia. But check the time schedule in advance
Check this bus company for example – http://albaserv.com/en/
also these guys http://www.servistur-bg.com/
If you have trouble contacting the companies in p. 2 – let me know and I’ll call them for you
When do you plan to be in Burgas? Will be happy to meet if I’m around 🙂 Happy travels in Bulgaria!
Greets
Svetla
Hi 🙂
What is the best way to get from Sunny Beach to Sofia airport please as we are struggling to find options? (Preferably coach or public transport as taxis are expensive)
Thanks a lot !
Hi Joanna
of course – there is good public transport anywhere on the seaside, do not use taxis!
From sunny beach bus station you can take a bus to Burgas. There are buses every 20 minutes, the cost is 6 BGN (3 EUR). The trip takes 40-50 minutes. Check this site for the timetable http://www.bgrazpisanie.com/en
From Burgas bus station you can take a bus to Sofia. You can buy a ticket online here: http://www.etapgroup.com/?lang=_en, costs approx 15 euro, takes 6 hours
Or, transfer to Burgas train station (it’s pretty close to the bus station) and take the train. Purchase tickets online here: https://bdztickets.com/en/
In the summer the train to/from the seaside might get pretty full so make sure to book a seat or even a sleeping couch (if night train).
Once in Sofia, you’ve got the metro departing right from the train station. It will take you to the airport (will need to change the line once, at Serdika station), but generally within 30 minutes you’ll be at the airport Terminal 2 (Ryanair + all non-low costs depart from here). If you need to go to terminal 1 (Wizzair + I think easyjet), take the free shuttle from Terminal 2.
Enjoy your stay in Bulgaria – let me know if I can help further!
Hi,
Does anyone know how to get from Burgas airport to Sunny beach?
I have read that there is a public bus and a shuttle, besides taxi (which is too expensive).
But where can I find more information about the public buses, are they reliable, timetables and where in Sunny Beach do they stop?
All information is very welcome 🙂
Hi Monica
go to Burgas bus station, there are many public buses and private shuttles to Sunny beach, departing quite frequently in the summer, doubt you’d wait more than 20 minutes. The ticket price to Sunny beach is 5-6 leva.
The shuttles and buses stop at Sunny beach bus station for sure, maybe on request they will stop where you like, just ask the driver.
Here is the timetable of all buses – private and public from Burgas to Sunny beach http://burgasbus.info/burgasbus/?page_id=358
The bus station is right next to the central railway station.
Enjoy your stay!
Thanks a lot for information and for so quick reply! 🙂 All the best!
I would like to know how I can move from Varna airport to Albena using public transport. Thank you in advance. Regards.
Hi Monica
Use bus line 409 to get from Varna airport to Varna city center. You can buy a bus ticket on the bus, costs 3 lv.
Then, from the city center there are buses going to Albena, the trip takes about 30 mins and costs about 4 lv. See this link below for a list of buses and departure (run Google translate as the english version does not seem very useful)
http://stigni.bg/search.html?points%5B0%5D=18961&points%5B1%5D=18953&type=1&order=2
Let me know if questions. Enjoy your stay in Albena – one of my favorite sea resorts in Bulgaria!
Thanks for the post!
If you are in Bulgaria for a short time and don’t want to spend time on cheesy taxi drivers, there are some companies with English speaking drivers and with fixed prices. A bit more expensive, but no risk.
It really depends, street taxi drivers can try to make you pay more. You have to be local to be able to recognize an official taxi from a scammer. Even the locals sometimes fail, and pay double or triple.
Good Day
How can I get from Sunny Beach to Sozopol ?
Are there local transport in Bulgaria between all cities from sea ?
From Sozopol-Burgas-Nessebar-Sunny Beach- Obzor-Varna-Constantin si elena-Albena-Balcic ?
What are names and websites of bus transport companies ?
Valeriu Ghimpu, Bucharest
Email: valeriu.ghimpu@gmail.com
Hello Valeriu
the seaside transport is covered by many private shuttles and this is your best way to move in between seaside resorts.
The major cities are of course Varna and Bourgas and their bus stations are the major hub for travelling north or south of these cities.
So, from Sunny beach bus station take a shuttle southwards, to Burgas bus station (there are shuttles every 30 mins or so). Then, you will find in Burgas bus station many shuttles leaving for Sozopol. There is again one shuttle leaving every 30 mins or, prices are almost the same for all private companies.
Sunny beach to Burgas should cost 6 leva, Burgas to Sozopol is around the same price.
If you want to travel north, towards Varna – same thing. Reach Burgas bus station and take a shuttle towards Varna, it stops at any seaside resort. Now, if you want to go north of Varna, just get off at Varna bus station and take a shuttle for the northern resorts.
If you want to have specific timetable – here is the site of one bus company doing shuttle transfers:
https://www.busexpress.bg/en/reservation/departing
Have in mind that the shuttle buses are frequent throughout the summer season (June-mid of Sept). Outside this timeframe they might be a bit more rare.