There are 6 ways to get from Athens to Bulgaria by plane, train, bus, car, or shuttle
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Sofia Airport
best- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane ATH - SOF
4h 47m$72–192Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Athens to Thessalonikitrain Ic
- Take the bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 80
11h 4m$46–77Bus
- Take the bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus Citylines 80 / ...
11h 45m$80Drive 762.2 km
- Drive from Athens to Sofiacar 762.2 km
8h 33m$160–231Fly to Bucharest Otopeni, shuttle
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)plane ATH - OTP
- Take a shuttle bus from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Ruse
6h 12m$181–491Fly to Varna Airport
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane ATH - VAR
5h 14m$196–391
Athens to Bulgaria by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Bulgaria is to train and bus which costs $45 - $80 and takes 11h 4m.
The fastest way to get from Athens to Bulgaria is to fly which takes 4h 47m and costs $70 - $200.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Athens Karolou and arriving at Sofia Serdica Bus Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 11h 45m.
The distance between Athens and Bulgaria is 580 km. The road distance is 762.2 km.
The best way to get from Athens to Bulgaria without a car is to train and bus which takes 11h 4m and costs $45 - $80.
It takes approximately 4h 47m to get from Athens to Bulgaria, including transfers.
Athens to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Athens Karolou station.
The best way to get from Athens to Bulgaria is to fly which takes 4h 47m and costs $70 - $200. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $80 and takes 11h 45m.
Athens to Bulgaria bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Sofia Serdica Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Athens to Bulgaria is 762 km. It takes approximately 8h 33m to drive from Athens to Bulgaria.
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Bulgaria?
Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Bulgaria Air fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sofia Airport (SOF) twice daily. Alternatively, Citylines operates a bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $50–75 and the journey takes 11h 45m. Tourist Service Holding AD also services this route 3 times a week.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–150
Flights from Athens International Airport to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–170
- Website
- air.bg
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–150
Flights from Athens International Airport to Bucharest Otopeni via Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $65–170
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Athens International Airport to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–180
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sofia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $60–180
- Website
- flyulendo.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Bucharest Otopeni
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $45–180
- Website
- wizzair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Varna Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $80–220
- Phone
- 14511
- Website
- hellenictrain.gr
Train from Athens to Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 12m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $25–40
- Website
- https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–26
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
Bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- https://citylines.eu/
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $23–40
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- 02 981 13 33
- outgoing@tourist-service.com
- Website
- en.tourist-service.com
Bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $80
- Website
- https://en.tourist-service.com/
- Phone
- +359 89 345 5533
- info@atlastaxi.eu
- Website
- atlastaxi.eu
Shuttle from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $120–280
- Website
- https://atlastaxi.eu/
Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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