COVID-19 Travel restrictions may apply upon entering Bulgaria. Learn More.

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

  1. Take the bus from București to Ruse
  2. Take the bus from Ruse to Sofia - Central Bus Station

$26 - $33

Cheapest option

Train  •  9h 10m

  1. Take the train from Bucuresti Nord to Sofia 461

$13 - $45

7 alternative options

Bus  •  9h 30m

  1. Take the bus from Bucharest - Gară Filaret to Sofia - Central Bus Station

$13 - $35

Train via Ruse  •  9h 56m

  1. Take the train from Bucureşti Nord Gr.A to Ruse IR: Bucureşti Nord Gr.A - Ruse
  2. Take the train from Ruse - Tovarna to Sofia 463

$14 - $28

Bus, night bus  •  6h 30m

  1. Take the bus from București to Ruse
  2. Take the night bus from Ruse Central Bus Station to Sofia Central Bus Station Silistra - Ruse - Sofia

$28 - $32

Drive  •  5h 8m

  1. Drive from Bucharest to Sofia 388.1 km

$35 - $60

Fly from Bucharest Otopeni  •  3h 35m

  1. Fly from Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) to Sofia (SOF) OTP - SOF

$49 - $173

Shuttle to Varna, fly  •  6h 1m

  1. Take a shuttle bus from Bucharest to Varna
  2. Fly from Varna (VAR) to Sofia (SOF) VAR - SOF

$183 - $277

Shuttle  •  4h 45m

  1. Take a shuttle bus from Bucharest to Sofia

$170 - $210

Romania → Bulgaria
Partially open

Travel safe during COVID-19

International entry into Bulgaria from Romania

  • Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Romania
Show more details
Allowed for: Citizens and permanent residents of Bulgaria, as well as residents from EU Schengen Area (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), Andorra, Monaco, Vatican, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel, Kuwait, Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, Cyprus, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and United Kingdom

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
This applies to arrivals from all countries, with no exceptions

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 travel

Domestic 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

Explore travel options

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.

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The quickest way to get from Bucharest to Sofia is to fly which costs $45 - $180 and takes 3h 35m.

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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.

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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.

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The distance between Bucharest and Sofia is 296 km. The road distance is 388.1 km.

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The best way to get from Bucharest to Sofia without a car is to bus via Ruse which takes 7h and costs $26 - $35.

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It takes approximately 7h to get from Bucharest to Sofia, including transfers.

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Bucharest to Sofia bus services, operated by PEGASUS GROUP Ltd., depart from București station.

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Bucharest to Sofia train services, operated by Romanian Railways (CFR), depart from Bucuresti Nord station.

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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.

Mode details

Map of how to get from Bucharest to Sofia.
Launch map view
  • 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.

Airlines
Bulgaria Air
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
Qatar Airways
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
Tarom
Website
tarom.ro
Flights from Bucharest Otopeni to Sofia
Ave. Duration
1h 15m
When
Monday
Estimated price
$130 - $250
Train operators
Romanian Railways (CFR)
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
Bus operators
PEGASUS GROUP Ltd.
Phone
+359 (0) 877 34 47 47
Email
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
ETAP Group
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
Avtogari
Email
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
Union Ivkoni
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
Global Biomet
Phone
:+3599884551
Email
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
Atlas Taxi
Phone
+359 89 345 5533
Email
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.

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Bucharest to Sofia bus services, operated by ETAP Group, arrive at Sofia - Central Bus Station.

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Bucharest to Sofia train services, operated by Romanian Railways (CFR), arrive at Sofia station.

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Yes, the driving distance between Bucharest to Sofia is 388 km. It takes approximately 5h 8m to drive from Bucharest to Sofia.

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Qatar Airways and Tarom offer flights from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Sofia Airport.

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There are 586+ hotels available in Sofia. Prices start at $100 USD per night.

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The best way to get from Bucharest to Bucharest Otopeni Airport is to shuttle which takes 21 min and costs $12 - $14.

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