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When moving to a new country, one of the first things we need to research is how to get from point A to point B without any worries. If you’re not a fan of long walks, public transportation is often the most practical choice. So, in today’s article, we’ll look at transportation options in the larger cities in Bulgaria, as well as some alternative ways to get around.
Go around the capital
Sofia city, the capital of Bulgaria has a very well-developed public transport network which consists of buses, trams, trolleybuses, and a metro system.
Metro: The Sofia Metro is modern, still expanding, but already covers key areas, including the airport, railway station, and city center. Tickets cost 1.60 BGN for a single ride, and machines at metro stations accept both cash and cards. You can pay directly by scanning your card at the entrance.
Buses, Trams, and Trolleybuses: They all run frequently and connect even to the city's outskirts. You can purchase tickets from kiosks or directly from the driver (cash only, exact change recommended). In most of them you will find machines where you can pay by card also. Don´t forget to validate your ticket upon boarding to avoid fines.
Pay with bank cards. The bank card is an extremely convenient option for traveling on public transport. Its validation on the blue devices turns you into a regular passenger. After validating a ticket more than 2 times, it becomes a daily card at a price of 4 leva for the entire network. Validate it every time! At midnight, your bank will reflect the change and charge you only 4 leva.
Find more info here.
Mobile Apps: There are several apps like "Sofia Urban Mobility Center" and Google Maps that will make planning your route simpler.
Taxis are also common but make sure the driver is not going to overcharge you. Ask the price before entering.
- Electric car-sharing service is also available, but you need a driving license, and to be honest, driving in Bulgaria is a real adventure, so I don´t really suggest it.
Go around in other big cities
In other big cities transport options are much different.
Varna: The city has an extensive network of buses and trolleys. You can download mobile apps: #VarnaTraffic and #BusVarna that will give you details about their schedule. Tickets cost around 1.50 BGN. Tickets are sold in big machines inside the buses and at the bus stops. Be aware that it is a common that they are out of order, so better by tickets online from https://ticket.busvarna.com If you buy ticket online, it will cost you only 1 lev.
Plovdiv More or less is the same as Varna. Tickets are sold on the buses and cost around 1.50 BGN. There are big ticket machines. You can use Google Maps to get between two points in the city using public transport buses.
Public Transport in Smaller Cities
In smaller towns, public transport options are more limited but still functional.
Buses: The main form of transport, typically operating on fixed routes and schedules. Tickets are sold on the bus.
Walking: Many smaller cities are pedestrian-friendly, allowing you to explore the sights on foot.
Local Taxis: Try to negotiate the fare beforehand if the taxi lacks a meter.
If you have any questions regarding the public transport in Bulgarian cities, feel free to join the discussion topic in Living Abroad Forum where you can ask the community about advices.
P.S. Now that you are at the end of this article, I have an interesting suggestion for you. As you are a part of the Bulgarian Language Learning Community, you have the option to join the OLS video contest 3 and win an Interrail Global Pass that will allow you to travel in Europe for free! Learn more here.
Reneta, OLS Community Manager – Bulgarian
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