Sofia to Varna: 440 km, about 6 hours. Car for up to 4 €250, minivan €350. Varna to Sofia: €280 / €350. 24/7, no prepayment.
Flying into Sofia and heading for the Black Sea, or going back to Sofia for a flight home? This guide covers the practical part: which road the driver takes, where you can stop, how much time to allow for a flight and when to set off. Every price is for the whole car and comes from the Unitrans price list.
Updated: 16 October 2026 · prices from the Unitrans price lists for Sofia and Varna
Prices: Sofia → Varna
Car, up to 4
440 km · about 6 h
250 € / trip
Minivan, up to 6
440 km · about 6 h
350 € / trip
Minibus, up to 8
440 km · about 6 h
400 € / trip
More than 8
van or bus
on request
The same price applies from Sofia Airport. You pay per car, not per person, so four people in a car pay €62.50 each. A night trip costs the same as a day trip.
Prices: Varna → Sofia
Car, up to 4
440 km · about 6 h
280 € / trip
Minivan, up to 6
440 km · about 6 h
350 € / trip
Minibus, up to 8
440 km · about 6 h
420 € / trip
More than 8
van or bus
on request
Yes, the car and minibus are a little more expensive in this direction. It is not a typo: the fare depends on where the car starts, so the Sofia and Varna price lists differ. The minivan is €350 both ways.
Which road do we take?
Most trips leave Sofia on the Hemus motorway towards the north-east. The motorway is finished at the start and at the end of the route (from Shumen to Varna); in between, the driver follows the main road through the Balkan foothills, past Sevlievo, Veliko Tarnovo, Omurtag and Targovishte. The price list gives about 440 km and 6 hours for the whole drive.
Landmarks from the price list, so you know how far you have come:
Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital: about 220 km and 3 hours from Sofia, roughly halfway.
Targovishte: about 320 km from Sofia.
Shumen: about 360 km from Sofia; from there it is about 90 km, just over an hour, to Varna.
The other option is the Trakia motorway to Burgas and then north along the coast. That is about 390 km to Burgas plus about 130 km from Burgas to Varna: longer, but almost all motorway and main roads. The driver picks the road before you leave, based on traffic, roadworks and weather. The price stays the same either way.
The map shows the option via the Trakia motorway and Burgas (labels in Bulgarian). The usual road is Hemus via Shumen; the price list gives about 440 km and 6 hours.
Where can we stop?
Six hours is a long time in a car, so we stop. Tell the driver when you need a break for coffee, the toilet or just to stretch your legs. With small children we plan extra stops when you book.
Veliko Tarnovo, halfway
From Sofia: about 220 km, 3 h
Good for: lunch or coffee
If you get off here: €150 / 210 / 230
Shumen, the last big stop
From Sofia: about 360 km, 4:45 h
To Varna: about 90 km, 1:05 h
If you get off here: €220 / 280 / 320
Want a longer stop, say lunch and a walk in Veliko Tarnovo? Mention it when you book and we will give you the price for the whole trip before you confirm.
When is the best time to leave?
Early morning. Leave Sofia around 6 or 7 am and you are in Varna by lunchtime, with the long stretch done in daylight.
Summer Fridays and Sundays. On Friday afternoons a lot of people leave Sofia for the coast, and on Sunday afternoons they drive back. If you can, move your trip by a few hours.
Winter. Days are short and north-east Bulgaria gets fog and snow. Our cars are ready for it, but allow a little extra time.
At night. We drive 24/7 and the price is the same. Useful if you land in Sofia late and want to wake up by the sea.
Varna Airport and Sofia Airport
Catching a flight from Varna. The airport is on the west side of the city, the side the road from Sofia comes in. For an international flight, leave Sofia at least 8–9 hours before take-off: about 6 hours on the road, a break and time to check in. We will quote the price to Varna Airport when you book.
Landing at Varna Airport. The Varna price list covers both the city and the airport, so the trip to Sofia is €280 by car. Send us your flight number: we track it, and if you land late the driver waits at the airport at no extra cost and with no time limit. At an address, free waiting is 15 minutes.
Sofia Airport. From Sofia Airport to Varna it is €250 by car, the same as from the city. Your driver can meet you with a name sign and speaks English. The return to Sofia Airport is confirmed by phone.
Going beyond Varna
Many travellers carry on to the resorts, or come from them. Prices from the price list for car / minivan / minibus:
Car for up to 4 (€250 / €280): two to four people with one suitcase and a small bag each.
Minivan for up to 6 (€350 both ways): five or six people, or four with lots of luggage, a pram or skis.
Minibus for up to 8 (€400 / €420): two families or a group of friends.
More than 8: on request.
Baby carrier, booster and child seat cost nothing extra; just tell us how many you need.
How to book
Call +359 894 448 441 at any time, in English, or message us on Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram on the same number. We answer chats almost straight away, day and night. Tell us the pick-up address or flight, date and time, how many people and suitcases, and whether you need a child seat. You pay the driver at the end of the trip.
How far is Sofia from Varna and how long is the drive?
The Unitrans price list gives about 440 km and about 6 hours by car, including short breaks. Traffic and weather can add a little.
How much is a taxi transfer from Sofia to Varna?
€250 for a car for up to 4 people, €350 for a minivan for up to 6 and €400 for a minibus for up to 8. The price is per car and the same day or night.
Why does Varna to Sofia cost more than Sofia to Varna?
The fare depends on where the car starts, so the Varna and Sofia price lists differ: €280 against €250 for a car. The minivan is €350 in both directions.
Do you drive on the Hemus motorway?
Usually yes: Hemus and Shumen, with the main road through Veliko Tarnovo in the middle. Sometimes the driver takes the Trakia motorway and Burgas instead. The price does not change.
Can I be picked up at Sofia Airport?
Yes. Sofia Airport to Varna costs the same as from the city, €250 by car. If your flight is late, the driver waits at the airport at no extra cost.
Do I have to pay in advance?
No. There is no prepayment. You know the price when you book and pay the driver at the end of the trip.
