Europe > 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Bulgaria can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Bulgaria; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Bulgaria?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Bulgaria?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Bulgaria
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Burgas | BOJ | |
| Plovdiv | PDV | |
| Sofia | SOF | |
| Varna | VAR |
Should You Rent a Car in Bulgaria? 🚗🏞️
Bulgaria offers a brilliant mix of Black Sea beaches, Balkan mountains, and ancient cities. You can travel from golden sands to snowy peaks in a single day, and that makes transport choices especially important. So, should you rent a car in Bulgaria? Let’s find out when it’s worth it—and when public transport works better.
🚆 When You Don’t Need a Car
In big cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, you can get around easily without driving. Public transport is cheap, reliable, and well-developed.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps (like Bolt and Spark) are also widely available.
✅ Good No-Car Situations
| Location | Why You Don’t Need a Car | Best Transport Option |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia | Compact city centre and metro network | Metro, tram, taxi |
| Plovdiv | Pedestrian Old Town and walkable core | Walking, bus, taxi |
| Varna / Burgas | Great bus connections to resorts | Bus, taxi |
| Winter resorts (with transfers) | Shuttles available | Hotel or ski transfer |
➡ If your trip focuses on city sightseeing, beaches, or ski resorts, you can rely on taxis, buses, and trains.
🚗 When Renting a Car Makes Sense
A car transforms your trip if you want to explore mountains, monasteries, and hidden villages. Bulgaria’s scenic roads link natural parks and UNESCO sites that buses rarely reach.
✅ Benefits of Renting a Car
| Advantage | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Freedom | Visit remote monasteries like Rila or Bachkovo |
| Flexibility | Stop at vineyards and countryside viewpoints |
| Variety | Combine mountains, lakes, and beaches in one trip |
| Value | Low rental and fuel costs compared to Western Europe |
🚙 Best Self-Drive Routes
| Route | Highlights | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia → Rila Monastery | Mountain roads, UNESCO site | 2 hours |
| Plovdiv → Pamporovo | Rhodope Mountains, scenic villages | 2.5 hours |
| Varna → Balchik → Cape Kaliakra | Coastal cliffs, seaside stops | 2 hours |
| Sofia → Veliko Tarnovo | Medieval capital, hilltop fortress | 3 hours |
🚦 Driving in Bulgaria – What to Expect
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You drive on the right-hand side
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Roads vary from smooth highways to winding mountain routes
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Vignettes (toll stickers) are required for motorways—buy them online or at petrol stations
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Parking in cities is inexpensive but colour-zoned (blue/green areas)
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Fuel is cheaper than in most of Europe
🚕 Alternatives to Renting a Car
| Option | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Scenic, budget travel | Slower but relaxing |
| Intercity buses | Affordable long-distance trips | Extensive routes |
| Taxi or ride apps | Short hops | Negotiate or use apps for fair prices |
| Guided tours | Monasteries and villages | Transport included |
🏁 Final Recommendation
| Traveller Type | Car Needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City visitor | ❌ No | Public transport and taxis cover everything |
| Beach holidaymaker | ❌ No | Resort transfers work well |
| Nature lover | ✅ Yes | Best access to trails and mountains |
| Road trip explorer | ✅ Yes | Scenic drives make it worthwhile |
| Family traveller | ✅ Yes | Convenience and flexibility |
✨ Final Takeaway
So, should you rent a car in Bulgaria?
👉 Yes, if you want to uncover Bulgaria’s countryside, monasteries, and mountain landscapes at your own pace.
👉 No, if you’re sticking to major cities or seaside resorts where public transport already works well.