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How to get fromEssen to Bulgariaby plane, train, bus, car, or car train

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There are 12 ways to get from Essen to Bulgaria by plane, train, bus, car, or car train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Düsseldorf International Airport to Sofia Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane DUS - SOF
    7h 10m
    $94–349

  2. Fly Dortmund Airport to Sofia Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane DTM - SOF
    6h 49m
    $59–455

  3. Train, bus via Leipzig

    1. Take the train from Essen Hbf to Leipzig Hbftrain train 51
    2. Take the bus from Leipzig to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    27h 36m
    $167–323

  4. Drive  1,918.8 km

    1. Drive from Essen to Sofiacar car 1,918.8 km
    16h 59m
    $316–457

  5. Train to Cologne Bonn Airport, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Essen Hbf to Koeln/Bonn Flughafentrain train
    2. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane CGN - SOF
    6h 44m
    $85–350

  6. Train to Frankfurt, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Essen Hbf to Frankfurttrain train
    2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane FRA - SOF
    6h 46m
    $160–393

  7. Fly Dortmund Airport to Varna Airport

    1. Fly from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Varna Airport (VAR)plane plane DTM - VAR
    7h 20m
    $128–454

  8. Train, train to Eindhoven Airport, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Essen Hbf to Viersen Bahnhoftrain train
    2. Take the train from Venlo to Eindhoven Centraaltrain train
    3. Fly from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane EIN - SOF
    8h 24m
    $77–432

  9. Bus via Kassel

    1. Take the bus from Essen central train station to Kasselbus bus 023 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Kassel Grüner Waldweg to Sofia Serdica Bus Stationbus bus Citylines 17
    31h 15m
    $129–188

  10. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Essen Hbf to Frankfurttrain train 41 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Frankfurt Central Train Station to Sofia Serdica Bus Stopbus bus
    33h 27m
    $162–277

  11. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Essen Hbf to Niš, Autobuska Stanicabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Niš, Autobuska Stanica to Sofiya, Avtogara Serdikabus bus
    36h 12m
    $165–208

  12. Drive, car train

    1. Drive from Essen to Fuldacar car
    2. Take the cartrain from Fulda to Villach Hbfcartrain train
    3. Drive from Villach Hbf to Sofiacar car
    21h 10m
    $348–479

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar42Weekly Planes
Duration5h 21mAverage Duration
Ticket$78Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Essen to Bulgaria.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,629.5 km
  • Duration: 7h 10m

What companies run services between Essen, Germany and Bulgaria?

Lufthansa City, Lufthansa, and two other airlines fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Sofia Airport (SOF) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Essen central train station to Sofia Serdica Bus Station via Kassel Grüner Waldweg in around 31h 15m.

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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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