If you’re planning a trip from Bucharest to Sofia, you’ve picked a great time to go. These two capitals are neighbors – only about 360 kilometers apart – and getting from one to the other has never been smoother.
The best news is that as of January 2025, the land borders are fully open as both countries are full Schengen members. That means the old headaches of waiting in line for passport control at the Danube bridge are history. You just drive through (after paying the bridge toll, of course), making the trip a lot faster than it used to be.
But there are other options too, so if you’re planning a trip to Sofia from Bucharest (or vice-versa), you’ll find them all here. (Note: Learn more about Romania’s neighbors here.)
Getting from Bucharest to Sofia by Plane
If you want to get there fast, flying remains the best option, as the actual flight time is just a bit over an hour.
At the moment of writing this article, two companies are operating direct flights from Bucharest to Sofia: Tarom and Bulgaria Air. You can check prices and book your flight here. (Other low-cost operators, like Ryanair and Wizz Air, usually have offers during the summer).
Flight Details
- Departure Airport: Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP).
- Arrival Airport: Sofia Airport (SOF).
- Flight Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Schedule: Varied, from early morning flights arriving in Bulgaria before noon, to evening ones.
- Ticket Prices: Expect to pay between €100-€200 for a one-way ticket (it’s cheaper if you book well in advance).
If you want to be close to the airport, check out my article sharing the best hotels near Otopeni Airport in Bucharest.
Airport Transfers
OTP ➔ City Center: Take the CFR Train from the Arrivals terminal to the Gara de Nord Train Station. The trip takes 20-25 minutes and costs 5 RON (approx. €1) and from there, you can take the metro anywhere. Alternative: Take Bus 100 if you need to go straight to the city center. Read my guide to public transport in Bucharest here.
SOF ➔ City Center: The Metro (Line M1 – Yellow) is the best choice, being located at Terminal 2. If you land at Terminal 1 (often used by low-cost carriers), take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 first. The ticket is around €1.00.
Getting from Bucharest to Sofia by Bus
A solid alternative is taking the bus – if you don’t like flying. While you don’t have tons of options, the ones available should be enough, even though most buses head towards the seaside resorts in Bulgaria, and not the capital.
Speaking of which, I recommend checking out my article “Best Summer Destination: Bulgaria vs Romania.”
Bus fares are faster than the train, sometimes cheaper, and in most cases you travel overnight – which might be a bonus if you can sleep for the duration of the journey. Here are your options:
- Bookaway: Browse through plenty of options, from local carriers to Flixbus and more. Check out schedules and prices here (and expect the number of options to be greater during the summer season)
You might also have more options, especially during the season, by splitting your trip into two: get a bus from Bucharest to Ruse, and then find a bus from Ruse to Sofia, in a similar fashion to how train travel works on this route.
Getting from Bucharest to Sofia by Car
Driving gives you the most flexibility, with two main options (unless you already have a car):
- Ride-Sharing with BlaBlaCar: This ride-sharing app is popular in Romania and can connect you with drivers heading to Sofia. However, availability can vary, so check in advance for cars that match your travel dates.
- Car Rental: Renting a car allows you to plan stops along the way and drive yourself. Check out offers and prices here.
Travel Tip: If you’re renting a car, ensure it has cross-border insurance coverage!
Driving Details from Bucharest to Sofia
- Route: The most common route is via the Giurgiu-Ruse border crossing, using the Friendship Bridge over the Danube River. (The route is straightforward: Bucharest – Giurgiu – Ruse – Sofia.)
- Road Conditions: The roads are generally in good condition, but a bit crowded during the summer season.
- Border Crossing: 15 RON (approx. €3) when leaving Romania. When returning from Bulgaria, it’s €2. You can pay by card or cash at the toll booth.
- Vignettes (Road Tax): In Romania, you need a “Rovinieta.” If you’re just passing through, you can now buy a 1-Day Vignette (approx. €2.50) online or at gas stations. In Bulgaria, you need a BG Toll vignette. You can buy a Weekend Vignette or the new 1-Day Vignette (approx. €4) online at bgtoll.bg or at the kiosks near the border.
- Rental Car Considerations: Not all car rental companies allow cross-border travel, so make sure to confirm this when renting the car.
Driving gives you the freedom to stop along the way and maybe explore some lesser-known places, and it’s also faster than the bus/train, although slower than flying. Just make sure you’re comfortable with driving in both countries and familiarize yourself with local traffic laws.
Getting from Bucharest to Sofia by Train
If you’re not a big fan of traveling by plane, bus, or car, you can get to your destination by train, which is the slowest option.
A direct train runs during the warmer season (from early June to early October). Otherwise, you will have to take the connecting train in Ruse, Bulgaria. Either option is much slower than any of the other methods recommended above.
The direct train leaves Bucharest’s Gara de Nord station at 10:10 AM, arriving in Sofia around 8:40 PM (double-check the schedule!). With most of the route in Bulgaria, the trip offers scenic views over the long duration of the ride.
Price of a one-way ticket (2nd class): around €35.
There is also a permanent train (running outside of the warm season), but divided into two legs: Bucharest – Ruse (10:46 – 13:40), then Ruse – Sofia (14:25 – 20:41).
Save money: Instead of getting the ticket for the entire route from Bucharest, buy two tickets instead to keep costs lower. Each ticket will cost around €11.50, if bought separately.
Make sure to double-check the schedules and fees here (Romanian railway system) and the Bulgarian railways here.
Travel Options from Bucharest to Sofia at a Glance
| Method | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | ~1 hour | ~€150 | Fastest option |
| Train | ~10 hours | ~35 Euros | Budget-conscious, scenic travel |
| Bus | ~6-8 hours | ~20 Euros | Budget-friendly, perfect for overnight trips |
| Car | ~5.5 hours | Varies | Flexible travel |
Conclusion
Bucharest and Sofia offer all the possible ways to travel between them. In the end, it’s your choice to make, and I’m sure that with the details above, you will be able to make the best one to fit your needs. Let me know in the comments which option you choose or if you have other travel tips to share!
And if you’re deciding between visiting just one of the two countries, why not read my article about Romania vs Bulgaria first?
If you’re interested in more travel options from Bucharest to various other destinations, here are a couple other articles I wrote:
I am a journalist and local expert who has been documenting life in Romania since 2013. Based in Constanta (after living in Bucharest and Drobeta Turnu Severin), I provide up-to-date, on-the-ground advice for expats and travelers. My articles are based on real life experiences and plenty of research – from paying Romanian bills to exploring the wild “Rawmania” countryside.
Sofia is definitely on my list of places to visit. It looks absolutely beautiful from the images l’ve seen. I had been planning on a visit this year, but sadly l don’t think it will happen with the current state of affairs. One of the discount airlines was supposed to start a new route just before summer. Oh well ;-(. Stay safe.
From what I saw, Bulgaria is still pretty safe (at least looking at the numbers). We also had plans to visit Sofia this year, by train from Bucharest (or from Craiova, which is closer to us… but apparently that train no longer operates). Well, we’ll just have to wait and see what the next few months bring…