When traveling in Bulgaria, it is worth deciding how to get around the country. We've gathered some useful information about public transportation.
Which way to get around
When you book a excursion trip, you will spend at least twice as much as when you take public transportation. Plus, with a self-guided trip, you can set your own itinerary and travel as you please.
Another option is to rent a car. You can find a rental car company's website online and choose a suitable option. If you order the service online, the cost will be less. This method is good for those who do not want to bother with the schedule of buses and prefer to determine the time of arrival at the desired point.
Public transportation in Bulgaria
When traveling from one city to another, a bus stops and picks up passengers. There are usually several stops in big cities.
Some peculiarities of public transportation in Bulgaria:
Condition of buses. Vehicles are almost all new, so when driving, almost no seasickness, even on difficult sections of the highway. The buses are air-conditioned.
Schedule adherence. Most of the time buses arrive at the station and depart on time. Sometimes they may depart with a delay of 5-10 minutes.
Availability of seats. Passengers almost always ride seated. Even on very popular flights, there are enough seats for everyone. At most, there will be 1-2 people standing.
Route diagram. There are route diagrams on the buses. It lists all the cities where stops are scheduled.
Bus Fare
In Bulgaria, there are both municipal and private buses. Traveling on municipal buses is cheaper, though less comfortable. Fares start from 4–5 leva (BGN) and increase with longer routes, reaching up to 16–18 leva (BGN).
The most popular routes include:
Aheloy — Sunny Beach — from 4–6 leva (BGN).
Burgas — Nessebar — from 8–9 leva (BGN).
Pomorie — Varna — from 15–16 leva (BGN).
The ticket price depends on the level of comfort and the distance between the starting point and the destination. You can purchase a ticket in advance at a bus station or pay the conductor on board. The fare will be the same.
Bus travel is free for children under 7 years old (only for Bulgarian citizens; if you are a tourist, you must pay the full fare for your child).
Taxis in Bulgaria
For quick travel within a town or city, people often prefer to take a taxi. It is faster and more comfortable than using public transport or walking.
How to get a taxi
You can order a taxi by phone or approach a driver at a taxi stand in the city. The first option is usually much cheaper. In addition, some drivers work independently and are not affiliated with any taxi company. They may significantly overcharge and only state the fare after arrival.
Taxi fares
Pricing specifics
Taxis in Bulgaria operate with a meter. Rates are displayed on the car window. However, you may encounter drivers who suggest their own prices before the ride, bypassing the meter (in which case the cost will be much higher).
The fare for a ride within the city or outside it varies between daytime and nighttime.
It is common for taxi drivers to charge very high rates for trips from the airport into the city, knowing that tourists are more likely to pay than search for a cheaper option to reach their hotel.
Taxi fares
The cost of a ride may vary depending on the city. In popular resorts, trips tend to be more expensive. Moreover, in resort towns with a high flow of tourists, taxi drivers may be less honest:
overcharging by ignoring official rates;
tampering with the meter to make it run faster.
Sunny Beach
Approximate fares in Sunny Beach are as follows:
Taxi call-out fee ranges from 6–8 BGN during the day (6:00–22:00) and 5–9 BGN at night (22:00–6:00).
Price per kilometer within the city is 4–5 BGN during the daytime. At night, the fare increases by 0.5–1 BGN.
Pomorie
In Pomorie, the taxi call-out fee is 4–6 BGN (the rate does not change depending on the time of day). The price per kilometer starts at 3 BGN.
Different taxi companies may offer varying rates. It is best to confirm the exact fare before the trip with the dispatcher or directly with the driver (if you arrange the ride at a taxi stand).
