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Sofia to Craiova is about 290 km via Montana, Vidin and the New Europe Bridge to Calafat, a drive of around 4.5 to 5 hours. The bridge toll for a car is €6 in each direction, according to the bridge operator’s published tariff. There are no routine border checks as of autumn 2026. A private transfer from Sofia centre costs 195 € per car.
The route in four stages
| Stage | Road | Approx. distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia to Montana | Over the Balkan range via the Petrohan pass or via Vratsa | 110 to 130 km | 1 h 45 min to 2 h |
| Montana to Vidin | E79 through the north-west plain | 90 km | 1 h 15 min |
| Vidin–Calafat bridge | Toll point on the Bulgarian side | 2 km | 5 to 20 min |
| Calafat to Craiova | DN56 and the E79 | 85 km | 1 h 15 min |
Over the Balkan range
The first decision is how to cross the Stara Planina north of Sofia. The direct road climbs the Petrohan pass, which is shorter but steep and winding and can be affected by snow and fog in winter. The alternative goes north-east via the Iskar gorge or Botevgrad towards Vratsa and then west to Montana. It is longer but generally more reliable in bad weather.
After Montana the road flattens out across the north-west plain to Vidin. Traffic is light, but this is mostly two-lane road with villages and agricultural vehicles, so averages stay modest. Our guide to Sofia to Vidin covers this stretch in more detail.
The New Europe Bridge
The road and rail bridge between Vidin and Calafat opened in June 2013 and is the second fixed crossing of the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania. At almost 2 km it is a modern four-lane structure, and it has none of the lane closures that often slow the older bridge at Ruse.
The toll is collected at one toll point on the Bulgarian side for both directions. According to the bridge operator’s tariff, a passenger car pays €6 leaving Bulgaria, and €6 or 30 lei entering Bulgaria. Online payment was announced as coming soon. Check the operator’s page before you travel if you are driving yourself.
Border rules as of autumn 2026
Bulgaria and Romania are full Schengen members. The temporary checks introduced for the first six months after land accession ended on 1 July 2025, so there is no passport control on the bridge. Police can still carry out checks, so every traveller should carry a passport or national ID card.
Why travel to Craiova
- Business in Craiova’s industrial area and the city’s university and hospitals.
- Flights from Craiova Airport, which has a mainly low-cost schedule; check which routes are currently operating.
- The first leg of a longer trip towards Pitesti, Sibiu or Brasov, avoiding Bucharest.
If you are flying out of Craiova, allow an extra half hour for the Petrohan pass in winter, since the longer route via Vratsa is the safer choice when snow is forecast.
Other ways to get there
Public transport between Sofia and Craiova usually involves a bus to Vidin and onward connections on the Romanian side. It is slow and needs careful planning; check current timetables with the operators. For two or more people, the per-car price of a transfer is shared, and the trip is door to door at a time of your choice.
Continuing into Transylvania? See Sofia to Brasov. Heading for the capital instead? Sofia to Bucharest explains why the Ruse crossing is the usual choice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Sofia to Craiova?
Around 4.5 to 5 hours for about 290 km via Vidin and Calafat.
How much is the Vidin–Calafat bridge toll for a car?
According to the bridge operator’s published tariff, 6 euros leaving Bulgaria and 6 euros or 30 lei entering Bulgaria. Check the operator’s website for changes.
Is there a border check on the Vidin–Calafat bridge?
No routine passport control since 1 July 2025, but you must carry a passport or national ID card.
Is the Petrohan pass open in winter?
It is generally kept open but can be affected by snow and fog. The route via Vratsa is longer but more reliable in bad weather.