Tips for Getting Around Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations. The metro in Sofia is modern, clean, and the easiest way to navigate the capital. For intercity travel, buses are generally faster and more reliable than trains, with Union Ivkoni and FlixBus offering the best services. The Sofia-Plovdiv route by bus takes about 2 hours compared to 2.5 hours by train.

Taxi Safety

Always use official taxi companies or the Bolt app. Taxi scams targeting tourists are common, especially at Sofia Airport and around major attractions. Legitimate taxis have meters and display their rates on a sticker in the window. Never accept rides from drivers who approach you in the terminal — use the official taxi stand outside arrivals.

Practical Tips

• Bulgaria uses the lev (BGN), pegged to the euro at about 1.96 BGN per EUR
• Card payments are widely accepted in Sofia and Plovdiv, but carry cash for smaller towns and markets
• The Cyrillic alphabet is used everywhere — Google Translate’s camera mode is invaluable for reading signs and menus
• Nodding means “no” and shaking your head means “yes” in Bulgaria, though younger people often use the Western convention