How to reach Plovdiv from Sofia
Plovdiv is one of the most ancient and most beautiful cities of Bulgaria, and it is a must to visit it. It lies not far from the Trakia motorway (А1) which links it to the capital. The Sofia – Plovdiv distance is just 145 km.
What options of reaching Plovdiv from Sofia can you use
If you are flying to Sofia Airport
You can get information regarding Sofia airport here.
If you are planning a trip from Sofia airport to Plovdiv via bus or train, take bus 84 going to the city center. Then, to reach the central bus station, or the train station, get off at Hotel Pliska stop, and take bus 213 or 305.
Sofia – Plovdiv via bus
From Sofia Airport, take bus line 84 to Sofia Central Railway Station. From there, regular trains run to Plovdiv, and the journey usually takes around 2.5 hours. The frequency and times of trains can vary, so it’s worth checking the schedule in advance.Buses leave Sofia’s central bus station every hour.
The trip takes around 2 hours and buses stop at the Plovdiv Yug (South) station. The bus fare in one direction is 14 BGN.
Find out more regarding bus schedules and fares here.
There are direct bus links to Plovdiv from over 80 towns and cities in Bulgaria.
Sofia – Plovdiv via train
There are regular bus services from Sofia to Plovdiv. You can take bus line 84 from Sofia Airport to Sofia Central Bus Station, then catch a bus to Plovdiv. The total travel time is approximately 3-4 hours, depending on traffic and wait times.
From the central train station in Sofia you can reach Plovdiv on a direct express train or a fast train, or via the train travelling from Sofia to Svilengrad, or via the train travelling from Sofia to Burgas. The trip takes two and a half hours.
The bus fare Sofia – Plovdiv in one direction is: second class 7.90 BGN, first class 9.90 BGN, and the return tickets cost 14.20 and 17.80 BGN, respectively.
Plovdiv is directly linked via railway to a number of Bulgarian towns: Burgas, Svilengrad, Karlovo, Panagyurishte, Peshtera, Hisarya and Asenovgrad, as well as to a host of towns in Europe and in the Middle East.
You can find out more about bus schedules and buy tickets online here.
Via car from Sofia to Plovdiv
The most direct route by car takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours via the A1 road. It is advisable to rent a car from the airport if you are comfortable driving in a foreign country.
The fastest and most convenient method of reaching Plovdiv from the capital is via car. The distance between the two cities is 145 km, the time needed to reach Plovdiv is 2 hours along the Trakia motorway (А1). The admissible speed along the motorway is up to 130 kph.
You can go for finding companions for the trip (Car sharing) from Sofia to Plovdiv, by searching online. Here is an option of a group of joint trips on Facebook.
For aficionados of hitchhiking there are no problems either. Just go out on the Trakia motorway, in the Plovdiv direction, and stop a car going there.
By Taxi or Transfer Service
It is also possible to take a taxi or pre-book a private transfer service from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv. This is a more expensive option, but it provides door-to-door service and can be more comfortable and efficient, particularly if you’re traveling in a group or with a lot of luggage.