There are 9 ways to get from Bucharest to Sofia by bus, train, night bus, car, plane 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.
Recommended option
Bus via Ruse • 7h
$26 - $33
Cheapest option
Train • 9h 10m
$13 - $45
7 alternative options
Bus • 9h 30m
$13 - $35
Train via Ruse • 9h 56m
$14 - $28
Bus, night bus • 6h 30m
$28 - $32
Drive • 5h 8m
$35 - $60
Fly from Bucharest Otopeni • 3h 35m
$49 - $173
Shuttle to Varna, fly • 6h 1m
$183 - $277
Shuttle • 4h 45m
$170 - $210
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into Bulgaria from Romania
- Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Romania
Restricted for: Foreign nationals from outside EU Schengen Area with the above exceptions
Show less
Conditions of entry into Bulgaria from Romania
- 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 Romania
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 Romania.
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 Romania from Bulgaria.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 14 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 cost-effective way to get from Bucharest to Sofia is to train via Ruse, which costs $14 - $29 and takes 9h 56m.
The quickest way to get from Bucharest to Sofia is to fly which costs $45 - $180 and takes 3h 35m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Bucharest - Gară Filaret and arriving at Sofia - Central Bus Station station. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 30m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Bucuresti Nord and arriving at Sofia. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 10m.
The distance between Bucharest and Sofia is 296 km. The road distance is 388.1 km.
The best way to get from Bucharest to Sofia without a car is to bus via Ruse which takes 7h and costs $26 - $35.
It takes approximately 7h to get from Bucharest to Sofia, including transfers.
Bucharest to Sofia bus services, operated by PEGASUS GROUP Ltd., depart from București station.
Bucharest to Sofia train services, operated by Romanian Railways (CFR), depart from Bucuresti Nord station.
The best way to get from Bucharest to Sofia is to bus via Ruse which takes 7h and costs $26 - $35. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $13 - $45 and takes 9h 10m, you could also fly, which costs $45 - $180 and takes 3h 35m.
- Distance: 295.7 km
- Duration: 7h
What companies run services between Bucharest, Romania and Sofia, Bulgaria?
You can take a bus from Bucharest to Sofia via Ruse in around 7h. Alternatively, Romanian Railways (CFR) operates a train from Bucuresti Nord to Sofia once daily. Tickets cost $13 - $45 and the journey takes 9h 10m.
- Website
- air.bg
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $550
Flights from Varna to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40 - $120
- Website
- qatarairways.com
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $100 - $800
Flights from Varna to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40 - $120
- Website
- tarom.ro
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $130 - $250
- Phone
- 0219521
- Website
- cfrcalatori.ro
Train from Bucuresti Nord to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $13 - $45
- Website
- Romanian Railways (CFR)
- 2nd Class
- $13 - $18
- 1st Class
- $37 - $42
Train from Bucureşti Nord Gr.A to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $3 - $13
- Website
- Romanian Railways (CFR)
- 2nd Class
- $3 - $5
- 1st Class
- $10 - $13
- Phone
- 0700 10 200
- Website
- bdz.bg
Train from Ruse - Tovarna to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $11 - $16
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- $11 - $13
- 1st Class
- $13 - $16
- Phone
- +359 (0) 877 34 47 47
- pegasus@pegasusbg.com
- Website
- pegasusbg.com
Bus from București to Ruse
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $15 - $17
- Schedules at
- pegasusbg.com
- Website
- etapgroup.com
Bus from Ruse to Sofia - Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $12 - $17
- Schedules at
- etapgroup.com
Bus from Bucharest - Gară Filaret to Sofia - Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $13 - $35
- Schedules at
- etapgroup.com
- office@avtogari.info
- Website
- avtogari.info
Bus from Ruse to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 13m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $11 - $17
- Schedules at
- avtogari.info
- Phone
- 02/989 0000
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus from Ruse to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 57m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $11 - $17
- Schedules at
- union-ivkoni.com
- Phone
- :+3599884551
- office@biomet.bg
- Website
- biomet.bg
Night bus from Ruse Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $13 - $16
- Website
- Global Biomet
- Phone
- +359 89 345 5533
- info@atlastaxi.eu
- Website
- atlastaxi.eu
Shuttle from Bucharest to Varna
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 43m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $130 - $160
- Book at
- Atlas Taxi
Shuttle from Bucharest to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $170 - $210
- Book at
- Atlas Taxi
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More Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Sofia Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 5m.
Bucharest to Sofia bus services, operated by ETAP Group, arrive at Sofia - Central Bus Station.
Bucharest to Sofia train services, operated by Romanian Railways (CFR), arrive at Sofia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bucharest to Sofia is 388 km. It takes approximately 5h 8m to drive from Bucharest to Sofia.
Qatar Airways and Tarom offer flights from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Sofia Airport.
There are 586+ hotels available in Sofia. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Bucharest to Bucharest Otopeni Airport is to shuttle which takes 21 min and costs $12 - $14.