From a bustling capital city to a quaint, historical town beach resort, let’s look at the easiest way to get you from Sofia to Sozopol!
While there’s lots to do and see in Sofia, one thing that the capital of Bulgaria is missing is a beach.
So I don’t blame you if you’re looking to escape the city heat and teleport yourself to a refreshing, seaside resort like Sozopol for a well-deserved beach vacation – I mean, who wouldn’t like to do that?
There’s multiple options on how to get from Sofia to Sozopol based on different factors like your budget and time you’d like to spend in transit.
This blog post will give you all the options available to you and list out factors like price, average duration and convenience – so you can easily make the best choice for yourself!
Prepare for your trip to Sozopol
➔ Book your accommodation in advance – find the best hotel deals for Sozopol here.
➔ Find the best tours in Bulgaria – book your adventures in Bulgaria in advance.
➔ Rent a car – the best and easiest way to get around Sozopol is by renting a car.
➔ Travel Insurance – make sure you’re covered before your trip! I always use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance which is super affordable and flexible.
➔ Travel cards – Get a Wise or Revolut bank cards to avoid overseas charges and save money on your travels.
What are the best ways to get from Sofia to Sozopol?
1) Sofia to Sozopol by bus
Average price: Sofia to Burgas – 23lv (£10) Burgas to Sozopol –
Average time: 6 hours
Convenience: 7/10
Travelling from Sofia to Sozopol by bus is one of the more economical ways to do the journey. If you’re travelling in the high season as in the summer months there’s actually a bus that now runs direct from Sofia to Sozopol. If you’re travelling outside of high season you will have to first take a bus from Sofia to Burgas and then another bus from Burgas to Sozopol.
The journey takes around 6 hours in total and it’s not a bad option if you’re not pressed for time and enjoy long bus journeys. You’ll also get the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful scenery along the way which is always a plus.
One thing to mention is that most intercity buses don’t have toilets on them. They do, however, make some stops along the way every 2-3 hours at bigger bus stations where you can use the restroom or grab some food for the road.
All in all, bus journeys are one of the most popular ways to travel between Bulgarian cities. You can also expect more frequent buses available especially during high season in the summer months.
2) Rent a car and self-drive to Sozopol
Average price:
Average time: 4 hours driving time
Convenience: 9/10
If you have a driving licence and like road trips, driving from Sofia to Sozopol could be a great option for you.
Getting a car rental at the airport means that you don’t have to worry about going into the city center and bothering with public transportation and bus changes if you have just landed in Sofia.
There’s also options to get a car rental from the city center if you’re already staying in Sofia.
The drive from Sofia to Sozopol takes approximately 4 hours. It’s mostly on the motorway so it’s quite easy and straightforward to navigate.
You can rent the car for the full period of your holiday so then you don’t have to worry about your transportation on your return journey as well. It will also allow you to venture out and visit more of the beautiful beaches around Sozopol and the Black Sea coast.
Alternatively, you can also rent the car for one way if it fits your plans better. However, keep in mind that this would incur a one-way fee which can add up a lot to the rental price.
Driving from Sofia to Sozopol also means you’ll be able to make stops along the way if you for short visits to some other Bulgarian towns.
If you’re not in a rush, I recommend you stop by Plovdiv, the second biggest city in Bulgaria, for a quick lunch. There’s many amazing restaurants in Plovdiv in its colourful and quirky Kapana district, so definitely a good option if you have some extra time!
3) Sofia to Sozopol by private transfer
Average price: €270-€330 per car (depending on the number of people)
Average time: 5 hours
Convenience: 10/10
Booking a private transfer from Sofia to Sozopol is definitely the most convenient way to reach the seaside town. At the same time it does work out more expensive. But since the transfers are generally charged per car, if it’s a few of you it might still be a good and economic option.
It’s perfectly suited for non-drivers who don’t want to have to worry about buses and timetables on their holiday.
The departure time and location are chosen by you and suited to your needs. You also get dropped off directly at your hotel in Sozopol so you don’t have to worry about finding your way once you arrive in town.
All in all, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a more comfortable journey without stressing over logistics. In some cases it might work out better priced per person than flying for example, depending on the flight prices at the time.
4) Sofia to Sozopol by plane
While you can’t fly directly from Sofia to Sozopol, you still have the option to fly from Sofia to Burgas and then take a bus from Burgas to Sozopol. This option could be ideal for you especially if you have just flown into the capital and there’s a connecting flight to Burgas close to your arrival time in Sofia.
Flight from Sofia to Burgas
Average price: €60
Average time: Sofia to Burgas – 50 minutes (flight) + Burgas to Sozopol – 30 minutes (bus)
Convenience: 6/10
Flying from Sofia to Burgas is by far the quickest way to travel to the seaside. While you still have to factor in the time spent at the airport. Considering the fact that it’s an internal flight, the check-in and document check procedures take significantly less time than when travelling internationally.
And with a flight time of less than an hour, you’ll arrive in Burgas before you have even sipped on your inflight coffee and finished your snack.
Bus from Burgas to Sozopol
Price: €3
Average time: 30 minutes
Convenience: 7/10
When you arrive in Burgas, you have a couple of options. The first option is to take bus number 15 from the airport which will take you to Burgas bus station, from where you can get the bus that goes to Sozopol.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from outside Burgas Airport to Burgas bus station – South. The airport recommended taxi company is Eko Taxi, and you can either just grab one from outside the terminal or give them a call on Whatsapp.
Once you’re at Burgas South Bus Station, you can then get a direct bus to Sozopol which will take you approximately 30 minutes.
Make sure to check the bus timetable prior to your journey to make sure there’s a bus at a convenient time for you. Alternatively, you can book a taxi transfer in advance that takes you directly from Burgas Airport to Sozopol for approximately €35 per car. This option eliminates a lot of stress
Things to do in Sozopol
From exploring the Old Town, checking out some of the best beaches in Sozopol and enjoying a meal by the seaside at one of Sozopol’s restaurants, there’s plenty to do in the coastal town.
Make sure to check out my other articles about Bulgaria here for inspiration for your trip!
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