How to Get from Sofia to Burgas and Sunny Beach

Sofia and Burgas sit at opposite ends of Bulgaria, joined by the Trakia motorway (A1). It is about 390 km, and Sunny Beach is another half hour up the coast. You have four ways to make the trip: bus, train, a domestic flight or a private car with a driver. This guide compares them honestly, with our fixed prices and real travel times, so you can choose what suits your group, your luggage and your arrival time.

The quick answer

If you are two or more people, have suitcases or land at Sofia Airport, a private transfer is the simplest option: one car from your door (or the arrivals hall) straight to your hotel on the coast, in about 4 hours 15 minutes, at a fixed price for the whole vehicle. Travelling alone on a tight budget? The bus or train is cheaper per seat, but slower and only from city centre stations.

Sofia to Burgas and the resorts: prices, distances, times

Prices are from our Sofia price list. They are per vehicle, not per person, and the same whether we pick you up in Sofia city or at Sofia Airport.

More than 8 people? We also run larger buses; the price is on request. The return trip costs the same: Burgas to Sofia is 220 € by car, see our Burgas price list.

Example: four friends from Sofia Airport to Sunny Beach pay 220 € for the car, which is 55 € each, door to door, with all luggage in the boot.

Your four options compared

1. Private transfer with a driver

• Time: about 4 h 15 min to Burgas or Sunny Beach, with no changes.
• From: any address in Sofia or Sofia Airport, any hour, 24/7.
• To: the door of your hotel or apartment, not a bus station.
• Good for: families, groups, late arrivals, heavy luggage, anyone who does not want to deal with tickets in Cyrillic.

2. Bus

Buses leave from Sofia Central Bus Station, not from the airport. The ride usually takes roughly 6 hours, with stops, and you still need a taxi at both ends. Cheap if you travel alone with light luggage; less fun with children and big suitcases in the summer heat.

3. Train

Trains run from Sofia Central Railway Station to Burgas. Expect roughly 6 to 7 hours. It is scenic and cheap, but slow, and Burgas station is in the city centre, so for Sunny Beach, Nessebar or Sozopol you need another ride.

4. Domestic flight

There are flights between Sofia and Burgas, mainly in the summer season. The flight itself is short, but add getting to the airport, check-in, waiting for bags and the ride from Burgas Airport to the resort. Door to door it is often not much faster than a car, and it costs more for a family. Check current schedules before you plan around a flight.

What the drive looks like

The route follows the Trakia motorway east: past Plovdiv (about 1 h 45 min from Sofia), then Stara Zagora, then the plain towards the sea. The last part runs along the Burgas lakes into the city. For Sunny Beach and Nessebar the car continues north along the coast; for Sozopol it turns south. Need a break on the way? Just tell your driver.

If you want to see Plovdiv on the way, or you need a stop somewhere specific, mention it when you book and we will tell you the price before you travel.

Landing at Sofia Airport? What happens

• We track your flight. If it lands early or late, the driver adjusts.
• Waiting is free and has no time limit when your flight is delayed. You do not pay extra because the airline is late.
• Your driver meets you in arrivals and helps with your luggage.
• Child seats are free for children from 0 to 9 years. Tell us the ages when you book.

Many visitors fly into Sofia because there are more flights outside summer, then go straight to the coast. That is exactly what this transfer is for.

Who will drive you

True Drivers has been a private transfer company since 2015, started by Pavel and David (read our story). Today we are part of a group with around 200 cars, 50 minivans and 100 buses, so there is a car, minivan or minibus for groups of every size. Our drivers are licensed and know the Sofia to coast route well.

Our operators speak English on the phone. Prefer another language? Write to us in Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram in your own language; we reply with a translator.

How to book

1. Send us the date, pick-up address or flight number, destination and number of passengers.
2. We confirm the price and send a confirmation by e-mail.
3. The driver contacts you shortly before pick-up. No prepayment needed.

Or use the online booking form. Coming from Plovdiv instead? See how to get from Plovdiv to Burgas. Landing at Sofia Airport and heading to another resort? Our Sofia Airport to the Black Sea coast guide has the overview.

FAQ

How long does it take from Sofia to Burgas by car?

About 4 hours 15 minutes for the 390 km on the Trakia motorway. Sunny Beach and Nessebar are also about 4 hours 15 minutes, Sozopol about 4 hours 30 minutes.

How much is a private transfer from Sofia to Sunny Beach?

220 € by car for up to 4 people, 280 € by minivan for up to 6, 320 € by minibus for up to 8. The price is for the whole vehicle.

Is the price the same from Sofia Airport?

Yes. Sofia city and Sofia Airport have the same price to Burgas and the resorts.

What if my flight to Sofia is delayed?

We track your flight. Waiting for a delayed flight is free and has no time limit.

Is the bus or train cheaper?

Per seat, yes. But they take roughly 6 hours or longer, start from central Sofia and end in central Burgas. For two or more people with luggage, the car is often close in price per person and much easier.

Can I book a child seat?

Yes, child seats are free for children from 0 to 9 years. Just tell us the ages when you book.