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Sofia to Burgas is about 385 km, almost entirely on the Trakia motorway, and takes around 4 hours of driving in normal traffic. It is the easiest long drive in Bulgaria: motorway from the edge of Sofia to the outskirts of Burgas. A private transfer from central Sofia to central Burgas costs 265 € per vehicle.
The route
The Trakia motorway (A1) runs east from Sofia across the Thracian plain, passing Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Nova Zagora before it reaches Burgas. There are no mountain passes on the way, which makes it the most reliable winter route to the Black Sea coast.
| Point on the route | Distance from Sofia | Approx. time from Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| Pazardzhik turn-off | about 110 km | 1 h 10 min |
| Plovdiv | about 145 km | 1 h 40 min |
| Stara Zagora | about 230 km | 2 h 30 min |
| Nova Zagora / Sliven turn-off | about 270 km | 2 h 55 min |
| Karnobat area | about 330 km | 3 h 30 min |
| Burgas centre | about 385 km | around 4 h |
Where to stop
A four-hour drive needs one break, and the motorway service areas are fine for a coffee. If you would rather stop somewhere with a little more to see, the obvious options are just off the motorway.
- Plovdiv: about 1 h 40 min out; the Old Town is a short detour from the motorway, but allow at least an hour to make it worthwhile.
- Stara Zagora: halfway, with a pleasant centre and Roman remains near the main square.
- Service areas: the quickest choice; there are fuel stations with cafés at intervals along the whole Trakia.
Traffic and timing
The motorway is busy at predictable times. Summer Fridays and Saturdays eastbound, and Sundays westbound, are the heaviest. On those days, the slow points are the approach to Burgas and any roadworks on the motorway itself, which are often scheduled for the off-season but not always.
| When | Expect |
|---|---|
| Weekday morning outside summer | Around 4 h, very predictable |
| Friday afternoon in July or August | 4 h 30 min – 5 h |
| Sunday afternoon westbound in summer | Slower near Sofia |
| Winter after heavy snow | Usually open; allow extra time |
Train, bus or flight
Trains and coaches connect Sofia and Burgas, and there are flights between the two airports, mainly in summer. Coaches are frequent and take a similar time to a car. Check current timetables with the rail operator, coach companies and airlines.
A private transfer is worth considering if you are travelling as a family or a group, carrying a lot of luggage, or going to an exact address rather than a bus station. The price is per vehicle, shown before you book, with a Sedan for up to 4 passengers, a Minivan for up to 6 and a Van for up to 8.
Going beyond Burgas
Burgas is also the starting point for the road south towards the Turkish border at Malko Tarnovo, and north towards Varna. If you are continuing to Varna, compare this route with the northern line in our article on Trakia or Hemus to the coast, and see Sofia to Varna by car.
For those heading to the Danube rather than the sea, our guide to Sofia to Ruse covers the other big cross-country drive.
If you have an early flight from Burgas Airport, note that it lies north-east of the city, so you do not need to go into the centre.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Sofia to Burgas?
About 4 hours for roughly 385 km on the Trakia motorway in normal traffic.
Is it motorway all the way?
Almost. The Trakia motorway runs from Sofia to the outskirts of Burgas.
Where is a good place to stop?
Plovdiv or Stara Zagora if you want a proper break, or one of the motorway service areas for a quick coffee.
Is the Trakia motorway open in winter?
Yes. It has no mountain passes, so it is the most reliable winter route to the coast.