Flying to Bulgaria
Sofia Airport (SOF) - the main gateway
Sofia is Bulgaria's biggest and best-connected airport, served year-round by Wizz Air, Ryanair, Bulgaria Air, Lufthansa, and other major and budget carriers from most European capitals. It connects directly to the city by metro (Line 4, ~20 minutes to the centre, a ticket costs about €0.82). Even with Burgas as host, this is where most international fans will land before going on by air, bus or car.
Burgas Airport (BOJ) - the seaside option
Burgas has a sizeable airport geared to summer tourism. In May, schedules are ramping up for the season, with budget routes from many European cities, though far fewer than Sofia. Now that Burgas is the host, airlines are adding capacity for contest week (BNT's official site reported new Sofia to Burgas flights in late August). Flying to Sofia and travelling overland (see below) remains a solid plan B.
Other airports
Plovdiv (PDV) and Varna (VAR) have limited international service. Varna is a useful backup for Burgas (about 1.5-2 hours away by road).
Overland Routes
By bus - the Balkan workhorse
International buses (FlixBus and regional operators) connect Sofia with Bucharest, Thessaloniki, Skopje, Belgrade, Istanbul and beyond, usually for €15-40. Bulgaria's domestic intercity buses are also the easiest way to move between Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas and Varna - frequent, cheap (Sofia-Burgas roughly €15-20, ~5 hours) and more reliable than the trains.
By train
Bulgaria's railways are slow but scenic and very cheap. International connections run from Bucharest, Istanbul and Thessaloniki (seasonal variations apply). Domestically, Sofia-Burgas takes around 6-7 hours. Romantic, not efficient.
By car
Driving in via Greece, Romania, Serbia or Türkiye is straightforward. You'll need a vignette (electronic road toll, purchasable online) for Bulgarian motorways. Parking in central Sofia is restricted in paid zones - check your hotel's parking situation first.
Getting Around During Eurovision Week
- Sofia: four metro lines, trams and buses; ride-hailing and taxis are cheap by European standards (city rides typically €3-8). The metro is the reliable way to reach Arena Sofia on show nights.
- Burgas: compact enough to walk the centre; buses and inexpensive taxis cover the rest. Expect special event shuttles if the contest lands here.
- Taxis: use apps or official ranks; agree that the meter is on. Airport-grab "private taxi" offers are the classic tourist overcharge.
Sample Journeys (Indicative)
| From | Easiest route | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| London | Direct flight to Sofia (Wizz/Ryanair/BA) | ~3h 20m |
| Berlin | Direct flight to Sofia | ~2h 20m |
| Madrid | Direct flight to Sofia | ~3h 30m |
| Stockholm | Direct flight to Sofia | ~3h |
| Bucharest | Bus/drive to Sofia or direct to Burgas | ~5-7h road |
| Istanbul | Flight (~1h) or overnight bus/train | ~1h-10h |
The routes above list Sofia because it has the most connections. For the contest itself, look for direct Burgas (BOJ) flights first and treat Sofia plus overland as the fallback.
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The other gateways: Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna
Sofia
Bulgaria's capital and biggest airport, where most international fans will land. Metro Line 4 runs from the airport to the centre in about 20 minutes for about EUR 0.82. Sofia to Burgas is about 380 km: buses and trains take around six hours with several departures a day, and the flight takes about 55 minutes. With a spare day, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman ruins of Serdika beneath the government quarter and Vitosha mountain are the classic trio. Sofia is one of the cheapest EU capitals: dinner with wine for EUR 15 to 20, metro rides under a euro.
Plovdiv
Bulgaria's second city, about 250 km west of Burgas (roughly three hours by car or bus) and 90 minutes from Sofia. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe: a 2nd-century Roman theatre that still stages shows, an old town of Revival-era mansions on three hills, a Roman stadium under the main shopping street, and Kapana, the craft-beer and gallery quarter. Plovdiv Airport has little international service, so arrive via Sofia. Hotels run cheaper than in Sofia.
Varna
Bulgaria's "sea capital" and DARA's hometown, about 130 km up the coast from Burgas, 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Varna Airport (VAR) has decent seasonal European routes from May. The Sea Garden, the Archaeological Museum with the 6,500-year-old Varna Gold and the Roman baths make it a good second base for a two-city coast trip. Hotels are plentiful and cheap before the summer peak.