Sofia to Greece by Car: Distances to Thessaloniki, Kavala, Athens and Alexandroupoli
Many travellers land at Sofia Airport and continue to Greece: to Thessaloniki airport, to the beaches of Halkidiki, or to the ferries for Thasos and Samothrace. This guide shows how far each popular Greek destination is from Sofia, how long the drive takes, which border crossing to use and how to plan the trip.
Distance table
Sofia – Thessaloniki
295 km · 3 h 45 min
€210 / one way
Sofia – Kavala
320 km · 4 h 15 min
on request
Sofia – Athens
800 km · 8 h 45 min
on request
Sofia – Alexandroupoli
410 km · 4 h 45 min
on request
* Price for a car with up to 4 passengers. Border crossings are listed further down. Distances and times come from the Unitrans price list and exclude breaks and border waiting. In summer, around holidays and on Friday afternoons the queue at Kulata can be long, so leave extra time. For Thessaloniki a minivan (up to 6) is €260 and a minibus (up to 8) is €310.
Sofia to Thessaloniki: the fastest route to Greece
The road is almost entirely motorway: the Struma motorway via Pernik, Dupnitsa, Blagoevgrad and Sandanski to the Kulata border, then the Greek motorway to Thessaloniki. It is the obvious choice if you fly out of Thessaloniki (Makedonia) airport or continue to Halkidiki.
When to leave: for a flight from Thessaloniki, allow at least 5 hours from Sofia to the airport to cover the border and check-in.
Via Kulata. Better road, almost all motorway. The safer choice in winter and bad weather.
Via Gotse Delchev and the Ilinden border. Shorter but crosses the mountains. Good in summer when the road is dry.
Kavala is the closest port for Thasos island (ferries leave from Kavala and Keramoti). If you are heading to Thasos, tell us the exact destination when you book.
About 800 km and close to 9 hours on the road, via Kulata, Thessaloniki, Larissa and Lamia. Because of the distance, the trip is planned with a break every 2–3 hours.
A private transfer to Athens makes sense when:
you travel with a lot of luggage or with children and don’t want to switch between plane, bus and taxi;
you are a group of 3–4 and the price per person gets close to a ticket;
you want to stop on the way, for example in Thessaloniki or at Meteora.
The shortest route goes via Plovdiv, Kardzhali and the Makaza border, then along the Egnatia motorway past Komotini. Handy for Alexandroupoli airport and the ferry to Samothrace.
About 295 km, almost all on motorway via the Kulata – Promachonas border. The drive takes about 3 h 45 min without border waiting.
How far is Sofia from Kavala?
About 320 km and around 4 h 15 min. The Kulata route is easier; the route via Gotse Delchev and the Ilinden – Exochi border is more mountainous.
How long is the drive from Sofia to Athens?
About 800 km and 8 h 45 min without breaks. With breaks, plan for 9 to 10 hours.
Which border crossing is fastest to Greece?
For Thessaloniki, Athens and Halkidiki: Kulata – Promachonas. For Kavala, Drama and Thasos also Ilinden – Exochi. For Komotini and Alexandroupoli: Makaza – Nymfaia.
How much is a taxi from Sofia to Thessaloniki?
Per the Unitrans price list: €210 for a car up to 4 passengers, €260 for a minivan up to 6 and €310 for a minibus up to 8. Kavala, Athens and Alexandroupoli are priced on request.
Can you pick me up at Sofia Airport and drive me straight to Greece?
Yes. The driver can collect you at Sofia Airport or at any address in Sofia. Sofia Airport to Thessaloniki costs the same as from the city.
Book your transfer to Greece
Send us where you are travelling from and to, the date and the number of passengers, and you will get a price for the whole trip. See also the transfer price list.
