Buses from Sofia

Sofia's Central Bus Station (Tsentralna Avtogara) is located next to the Central Railway Station on Maria Louisa Boulevard, north of the city center. It's well connected by metro, the Serdika station is nearby. The building has ticket counters, waiting areas, and a few shops. Arrivals and departures for most intercity and international routes operate from here.

Yes. International bus services connect Sofia to destinations including Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Skopje, Belgrade, and Bucharest, among others. Several carriers operate these routes with varying frequency. Journey times are longer than flying but fares are generally much lower. Book through the carrier's website or at the Central Bus Station ticket counters for current availability.

You can buy tickets at the Central Bus Station counters for most domestic and international routes. Some carriers also sell tickets online through their own websites. For popular routes, during summer and holidays, booking a day or two ahead is a good idea. Payment is usually in Bulgarian lev at the station. Online bookings typically accept cards.

Intercity buses in Bulgaria range from older vehicles on minor routes to modern air-conditioned coaches on major corridors. Routes from Sofia to cities like Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas run frequently throughout the day. Plovdiv is roughly two hours away, while Black Sea coast destinations take considerably longer. Luggage goes in the lower compartment at no extra charge on most services.

Yes. Public bus line 84 connects Sofia Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to the city center, ending near Orlov Most (Eagle Bridge). The ride takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. You can buy tickets from the driver or at kiosks near the stop. The metro also serves Terminal 2, which many travelers find more convenient.

Some longer international routes from Sofia, such as those to Istanbul or cities in Western Europe, depart in the evening and travel overnight. Domestic routes within Bulgaria are generally short enough that overnight service isn't common. For overnight trips, check whether the specific carrier offers reclining seats. Bring a neck pillow and a light layer, buses can get cold with the air conditioning.

Basic English is understood at the Central Bus Station ticket counters, and signage includes Latin-script transliterations alongside Cyrillic. On the bus itself, stops are often announced in Bulgarian only, so having your destination written down in Cyrillic helps. A maps app with GPS tracking is useful for knowing when your stop is approaching, on intercity routes with fewer landmarks.