There are 4 ways to get from Berlin to Sofia by plane, bus, train or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into Bulgaria from Germany
- Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Germany
Restricted for: Foreign nationals from outside EU Schengen Area with the above exceptions
Show less
Conditions of entry into Bulgaria from Germany
- Negative Covid-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival or 10 day mandatory self-quarantine
Rules to follow in Bulgaria
1.5m
Mandatory
Considerations leaving from Germany
The official advice is to avoid non-essential international travel to high risk countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but conditions apply when entering Bulgaria from Germany.
Explore options for future travelDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Sofia is 02 807 87 57.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Sofia is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in Sofia is 1.5 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 02 807 87 57.
No, but conditions apply when returning to Germany from Bulgaria.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 28 Feb 2021
Exceptions may apply, for full details: European Union.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The most affordable way to get from Berlin to Sofia is to fly, which costs 28€ - 110€ and takes 4h 58m.
The quickest way to get from Berlin to Sofia is to fly which costs 28€ - 110€ and takes 4h 58m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Berlin Central Bus Station station and arriving at Sofia Central Bus Station station. Services depart six times a week, and operate Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The journey takes approximately 27h 20m.
No, there is no direct train from Berlin to Sofia. However, there are services departing from Berlin Hbf and arriving at Sofia via Nuernberg Hbf, Muenchen Hbf, Budapest-Keleti, Craiova and Vidin. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 35h 47m.
The distance between Berlin and Sofia is 1319 km. The road distance is 1628.8 km.
The best way to get from Berlin to Sofia without a car is to bus which takes 27h 20m and costs 50€ - 90€.
It takes approximately 4h 58m to get from Berlin to Sofia, including transfers.
Berlin to Sofia bus services, operated by Arda Tur, depart from Berlin Central Bus Station.
Berlin to Sofia train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, depart from Berlin Hbf station.
The best way to get from Berlin to Sofia is to fly which takes 4h 58m and costs 28€ - 110€. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 50€ - 90€ and takes 27h 20m, you could also train, which costs 220€ - 380€ and takes 35h 47m.
- Distance: 1318.8 km
- Duration: 4h 58m
What companies run services between Berlin, Germany and Sofia, Bulgaria?
Bulgaria Air, Ryanair and six other airlines fly from Berlin Hbf to Sofia 5 times a day. Alternatively, Arda Tur operates a bus from Berlin Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Station 6 times a week. Tickets cost $90 - $110 and the journey takes 27h 20m. Union Ivkoni also services this route twice a week.
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200 - $480
- Website
- austrian.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Vienna
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $210 - $380
- Website
- alitalia.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Belgrade
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $85 - $190
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Rome
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Monday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $70 - $300
- Website
- air.bg
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- When
- Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $80 - $170
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $24 - $120
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $45 - $180
- Website
- lot.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Warsaw Chopin
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $80 - $230
- Website
- airserbia.com
Flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt to Sofia via Belgrade
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $85 - $190
German rail company Deutsche Bahn is known for its efficient and comfortable service. It offers many different types of rail transportation, including ICE or Intercity-Express for high-speed services between major cities and regions, IC (InterCity) for long-distance trains, RE (Regional Express) trains that connect regions and cities, and the S-Bahn rapid transit service. There are two main tickets on offer: the Flexpreis that has full flexibility, and the Sparpreis which is the cheaper, advanced fare (bookings usually open 6 months in advance for domestic tickets).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 0180 6 99 66 33
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Berlin Hbf to Nuernberg Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 22m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $100 - $140
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
Train from Nuernberg Hbf to Muenchen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $40 - $65
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
#/media/File:ICE_4_Berlin_Hauptbahnhof_(3).jpg)
Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed InterCity (IC) trains connect cities within Germany. They’re a popular way to travel as they’re faster than Deutsche Bahn’s regional trains and offer a frequent, fast service. All IC trains have first and second class carriages, power sockets and toilets, and most have a bistro cafe or restaurant. Tickets can be booked up to 180 days in advance of travel.
Contact Details
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Berlin Hbf to Nuernberg Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 33m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100 - $150
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Train from Nuernberg Hbf to Muenchen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 48m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60 - $85
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Deutsche Bahn’s regional network is made up of IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional-Express), RB (Regionalbahn) and S-Bahn trains. Ticket prices are fixed and there’s no seat reservations – just turn up, buy a ticket and jump on the next train. All regional trains depart regularly and connect to local and long-distance services.
Contact Details
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Nuernberg Hbf to Muenchen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $30 - $50
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Railjet trains operate domestically within Austria and also connect to major cities in Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland and Hungary. This premium service runs at speeds of up to 230km/h and offers three travel classes (economy, first and business), all with free Wi-Fi and power sockets. Other amenities include a bistro-restaurant car and family zones. Seat reservations can be made up to 90 days prior to the train's departure (compulsory for all cross-border trains but not for domestic routes).
Contact Details
Train from Muenchen Hbf to Budapest-Keleti
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100 - $160
- Website
- Railjet
- Phone
- 0219521
- Website
- cfrcalatori.ro
Train from Budapest-Keleti to Craiova
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 17m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16 - $50
- Website
- Romanian Railways (CFR)
- 2nd Class
- $16 - $21
- 1st Class
- $44 - $49
Train from Craiova to Vidin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $3 - $12
- Website
- Romanian Railways (CFR)
- 2nd Class
- $3 - $4
- 1st Class
- $10 - $12
- Phone
- +36 (1) 3 49 49 49
- Website
- mavcsoport.hu
Train from Budapest-Keleti to Craiova
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35 - $45
- Website
- mavcsoport.hu
- Phone
- 0700 10 200
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Vidin to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $7 - $11
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $7 - $9
- 1st Class
- $9 - $11
- Phone
- 0700 20 544
- Website
- ardatur.bg
Bus from Berlin Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 27h 20m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $90 - $110
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- 02/989 0000
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus from Berlin to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 34m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $60 - $85
- Schedules at
- union-ivkoni.com
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.
More Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Berlin Brandenburg Apt Airport to Sofia Airport is the direct flight which takes 2h 10m.
Berlin to Sofia bus services, operated by Arda Tur, arrive at Sofia Central Bus Station.
Sofia is 1h ahead of Berlin. It is currently 7:47 AM in Berlin and 8:47 AM in Sofia.
Berlin to Sofia train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Berlin to Sofia is 1629 km. It takes approximately 15h 26m to drive from Berlin to Sofia.
Bulgaria Air, Ryanair, easyJet and five other airlines offer flights from Berlin Brandenburg Apt Airport to Sofia Airport.
Book your Berlin to Sofia bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 586+ hotels available in Sofia. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Berlin to Berlin Brandenburg Apt Airport is to train which takes 31 min and costs 3€ - 50€.