How to get to Bulgaria

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The majority of tourists arrive at either of Sofia’s two airport terminals, although in summer many fly directly to the coastal cities of Varna and Burgas on charter flights. Frequent low-cost flights from London and other European cities to Sofia, are provided by easyJet and Wizz Air, which also has summer services to Varna and Burgas. The national carrier Bulgaria Air (wwww.air.bg) serves most of Europe but there are no direct flights to or from North America or Australasia.

Travel ideas for Bulgaria

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Bulgaria has land borders with five countries and reliable international rail links. Popular routes include from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo (5–6hr) or to Sofia (11hr), and from Thessaloniki to Sofia (10hr), while trains from İstanbul traverse the country, stopping at Plovdiv (11hr) and Sofia (14hr) before continuing to Belgrade. Eurolines (wwww.eurolines.bg) runs frequent bus services to Sofia from many major European cities and has booking offices in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas.

Travel advice for Bulgaria

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Bulgaria

Rough Guides Editors

written by
Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

For over 40 years, Rough Guides has been a trusted name in travel, offering expert-curated guides, inspiring articles, and tailor-made trips. Our passionate team of writers and local travel specialists provide in-depth insights into destinations worldwide, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. We help you travel smarter and experience the world authentically.