Which countries can be used to get to Bulgaria by car? What is the route through Ukraine and bypass? Documents for border control in 2021, Bulgarian roads, resting places and popular routes. Advice and reviews of tourists.
Attention... The information in this article may be out of date due to restrictions during a pandemic. Check with official sources for the possibility of crossing borders in 2021.
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Traveling to Bulgaria by car is attracting more and more tourists. It takes just 3-4 days to get from the European part of Russia to this country. An independent autotrip allows you to sunbathe on sandy beaches, relax in thermal resorts, take part in national festivals, see ancient temples and admire the natural monuments of Bulgaria.
How long to travel to Bulgaria by car
| Departure city | Distance in kilometers | Travel time |
| Moscow | 2050 | 26 hours |
| St. Petersburg | 3110 | 1.5-2 days |
| Minsk | 1660 | 1 day |
| Gomel | 1460 | 20 hours |
| Tula | 1910 | 25 hours |
| Yekaterinburg | 3730 | 2 days |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 2480 | 1.5 days |
Routes to Bulgaria by car
You can get to Bulgaria in different ways. The shortest route runs through the territory of Ukraine. To bypass Ukraine, autotourists travel from Russia in transit through several European countries.
Through Ukraine
The fastest way to get to Bulgaria is through Ukraine. There are three main roads for independent travel by car. Each of them has its own advantages and weaknesses:
- Through Zhytomyr, Chernivtsi and further - through the Romanian city of Suceava. This option is good for the small number of border crossings, the absence of mountainous sections of roads and the good quality of the road surface.
- Through Odessa, southern Ukraine and Moldova, Romania. Some of the roads on this route leave a lot to be desired.
- Through Kiev, Dubossary (Transnistria), Chisinau (Moldova) and Romania. Unfortunately, the shortest route in terms of distance cannot be traveled quickly. Crossing borders takes a lot of time.
Border Romania - Bulgaria. Checkpoint Negru Voda (Romania) - Kardam (Bulgaria)
By car to Bulgaria bypassing Ukraine
To bypass the Ukrainian territory, tourists use the highways of Belarus, Poland and Slovakia, and then travel through Hungary, Romania or Serbia. The bypass route from Moscow to Varna takes 3 days (3050 km). On a long journey, you need at least two nights. It is convenient to get up for rest in Lublin and Budapest.
The journey is long, so a lot of gasoline and money is spent on it - from 300 euros you need to get from the cities of the European part of Russia to Sofia.
In transit countries, motorists are required to purchase a vignette to travel on local roads. A Moldovan vignette is paid for 3 euros for 7 days, 8 euros for 15 days and 14 euros for 30 days. A vignette for driving on the roads of Romania, or rovinieta, costs 3 euros for 7 days and 7 euros for 30 days.
From Russia (Moscow) to Bulgaria by car - route on the map
Border crossing
Visa. Bulgaria is a full member of the European community, but it is not included in the Schengen area. To enter this country in 2021, Russian citizens must apply for a Bulgarian visa. It is done within 5 working days.
The package of documents for a visa includes a passport, application form, photo, medical insurance with coverage of 30,000 euros, confirmation of hotel reservations, information about financial security, documents for the car and a copy of the Green Card. A national visa for Bulgaria costs 35 euros plus 19 euros for a service fee. An urgent visa is paid 70 euros.
If a trip to Bulgaria by car passes through the territory of Poland, as well as Slovakia and Hungary, a Schengen visa is required. According to the current rules, it is allowed to enter Bulgaria on a double or multiple Schengen visa. Experienced tourists are advised not to waste time getting a national visa, but to immediately apply for a Schengen multivisa to Poland.
Border control and customs regulations. Checkpoints at the borders of transit countries operate around the clock. Border control and queuing usually take one and a half to four hours. Romanian customs change shifts from 7:00 to 8:00 and from 19:00 to 20:00. At this time, cars are not allowed across the border either at the entrance or at the exit.
According to customs regulations, meat and milk products cannot be imported to Romania, Bulgaria and all EU countries. Take only food with you on the road, as all products are easy to buy on the road and in Bulgaria itself.
Duty-free allowed to carry up to 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of wine and 5 liters of beer per adult tourist. Each person can have up to 40 cigarettes (2 packs) and personal medicines for a period of 3 months. If you have a chronic illness, bring your prescription for medication with you.
Roads in Bulgaria
All motorists in Bulgaria like good roads, clear markings and clear road signs. Travelers are especially impressed by the Burgas - Sofia and Varna - Sofia autobahns. Vacationers note that Bulgarian drivers are more disciplined than Romanian ones, and they always warn oncoming cars in advance about traffic inspection posts by flashing their headlights.
Vignettes. You have to pay for using the Bulgarian road network. A vignette for a car for 7 days costs 8 euros, and for 30 days - 15 euros. Vignettes are sold at the Bulgarian border and at gas stations. According to the rules, the driver is obliged to attach the vignette to the lower right corner of the windshield and remove it when the validity period expires. The presence of a vignette is checked by special cameras, and a fine of 150 euros is charged for its absence.
Traffic rules. Before traveling to Bulgaria by car, study the Bulgarian traffic rules. Conveniently, they are in many ways similar to the Russian ones.
- The car must have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher (they can check the expiration date), two emergency stop signs and a reflective vest.
- The maximum permissible speed when driving within the boundaries of cities and towns is 50 km / h, outside settlements - 90 km / h, in the pedestrian zone - 20 km / h, and on highways - 120 km / h.
- It is forbidden to use a radar detector and ride on studded tires.
- From November to March, the car must have winter tires.
- The driver is obliged to turn on the dipped beam at any time of the day, otherwise a fine of 10 euros.
- You can't use your mobile phone without a headset.
- It is forbidden to tint the windshield and side windows of the car.
- Everyone is obliged to use seat belts, including passengers in the back seat.
Parking. In almost all Bulgarian cities, parking is paid, and at the peak of the tourist season it can be difficult to find a free space. Cost per hour - 0.5-1 euro. You can pay in cash to the valet, through special machines or via SMS. Parking is free on Sunday. For parking in places for the disabled, a fine of 10 euros is charged.
Petrol. In 2021, diesel fuel in Bulgaria costs 1.17 euros per liter, gasoline 95 - 1.15 euros, and petrol 98 - 1.30 euros. Approximately the same amount will have to be paid for fuel in transit countries.
Travel itinerary in Bulgaria
Where to visit during a car trip to Bulgaria and what to see in the country? Tourists like to travel to Sunny Beach - the largest seaside resort on the Black Sea coast. People come here to swim in the clear sea and sunbathe on excellent sandy beaches.Near Sunny Beach is one of the first cities in Europe - the old town of Nessebar, which today is under the protection of UNESCO.
It is convenient to go to Burgas from the most popular Bulgarian resort along the sea. The distance of 35 km can be covered in just 40 minutes. In the ancient city it is interesting to see Orthodox churches and visit an exhibition of sand sculptures.
A little more than 100 km separates Nessebar from Varna, where there are several beautiful churches, an ecopark and green parks. The ancient rocky abode of Aladzha is located near a large coastal town.
From Varna, many tourists head to the ancient capital of the country - Veliko Tarnovo... The distance of 221 km is easy to travel in 2.5-3 hours on the A2 autobahn and the E772 highway. The beautiful city on three hills attracts travelers with its narrow streets and ancient architecture, the residence of the Bulgarian kings, the patriarchal cathedral, the craftsmen's quarter and the Tsarevets fortress.
During a trip by car across Bulgaria from Veliko Tarnovo, an interesting route to the south through the capital of laughter Gabrovo and the famous Shipka pass in Kazanlak... If you drive along a picturesque road through the mountains from the second half of May to June, you can see the blooming Rose Valley.
Some travelers visit Pleven... The ancient city is famous for the Skobelev Park, the Pleven Epic panorama, and the Museum of Russian and Romanian Warriors. Tourists love to taste wines at the Wine Museum, which is open in the Kailik Park. The return route home from Pleven or Veliko Tarnovo can be conveniently laid through the capital of Romania - Bucharest.
Travel itinerary in Bulgaria
You can visit Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo and Kazanlak on the way back or when driving to the south of the country.
Holidays in Bulgaria by car
Recreation areas. Along the Bulgarian highways there are equipped places for stops and rest. There are cafes, free toilets, technical and drinking water.
Hotels. There are many hotels and guesthouses with parking in Bulgaria. In any Bulgarian city, suitable accommodation is easy to find locally. The most expensive hotels are located on the first line from the sea. A room in a 3 * hotel, located 500 meters from the beaches, costs 15-18 euros for two, and accommodation in an apartment - 8-10 euros per day. Keep in mind that during the high season in coastal villages, budget accommodation options are in high demand among vacationers, so it is worth booking rooms in such hotels and guesthouses in advance.
Camping sites. When traveling to Bulgaria by car in 2021, it is convenient to stay at campsites. These are special recreation areas with areas for tents, shared toilets, showers and a kitchen. In some places, vacationers are offered wooden houses. A bungalow for four costs 15-22 euros. There are equipped campsites in Varna, Plovdiv, Sozopol, Rila Monastery, Tsarevo, Duni, as well as in some other cities and towns of the country.
Reviews of the trip by car to Bulgaria
- Border lines are a real lottery. How long it will take to pass the checkpoint can never be predicted in advance. To plan your route more accurately, use online services that show the workload of checkpoints at the borders of European countries.
- If you want to stay in the coastal resorts of Bulgaria during the high season, book your accommodation 2-3 months before your trip.
- When parking, always check that the car is closed and that there are no items left inside.
- Pay the fines on the spot to the traffic police officer who issued the receipt.
Pros and cons of traveling by car to Bulgaria
Advantages of traveling by car to Bulgaria:
- A long autotrip allows you to get a new interesting experience. Such a journey is more eventful than a trip to Bulgaria by rail or plane.
- By car, in a short time, you can go around many interesting places where regular buses do not go.
- It is easy to combine an educational trip around the country with a beach holiday at the sea.
Disadvantages of autotrip:
- You must apply for a visa.
- Crossing multiple boundaries takes a lot of time and effort.
- Gasoline prices in Bulgaria and transit countries are higher than in Russia.
Whether a trip to Bulgaria by car is worth the effort and money spent, everyone decides for himself. Share your impressions of independent car travel in the comments!
