Buses from Plovdiv to Sofia

Buses from Plovdiv to Sofia

Plovdiv
Sofia
Fri, Sep 4
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2 Travelers
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Plovdiv to Sofia Destination Reviews

CG
Cristina G
Right on time and the driver was very friendly and accommodating to our needs. Thank you!
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Standard AC, Citylines, May 6, 2026
A
Anonymous
Good trip but. Everything was fine in the end. I ordered two tickets to and from Plovdiv, but we weren't allocated seats next to each other, but across the aisle. Same happened to another couple so we swapped seats to be with our partners.
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Standard AC, Citylines, Oct 10, 2025
A
Anonymous
Sofia-Plovdiv one day trip. W.e have planned to go with train but bus was faster and cheaper. It was pleasant ride and on time. When we came to Sofia station we were at loss which bus is going to Plovdiv and had to ask around, also there are 2 terminals so for tourists it can be confusing. Also in Plovdiv we were not able to buy tickets with cards both on the station and on the local bus, only local currency.
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Standard AC, Citylines, Jul 23, 2025
A
Anonymous
Prompt and reasonably comfortable. Helpful and friendly driver, on time, air conditioning. 3 people squished together onto front bench seat.
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Standard AC, City Tour, Jun 2, 2024
A
Anonymous
Great driver but clearly very tired. Clean bus and easy booking. The driver was clearly tired on the long stretches and I watched him nod off as if falling asleep 3 times which made me extremely nervous. The rest of the journey was fine and I was prepared to leave an excellent review as otherwise he was a fantastic driver but this CANNOT happen- open the window, put on music, drink loads of coffee or something but you should be able to do 2.5 hours without an issue or don’t come to work. Next time I will probably take the train so I don’t have to worry.
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Regular, Karat S, May 18, 2023
A
Abraham
Timely service and comfortable ride. New buses, clean, on-time, great value.
Plovdiv to Sofia, Bus Regular, Karat S, Mar 24, 2023
4.6
44 customer reviews
5
68%
4
23%
3
7%
2
2%
1
0%

Plovdiv to Sofia Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Union Ivkoni National
Standard AC
10:25
12:35
$8.92
Traventuria
Standard AC
11:31
14:15
$30.00
Karat S
Regular
13:00
15:20
$9.65
Traventuria
Standard AC
13:30
19:10
$29.48
Traventuria
Standard AC
13:50
16:24
$30.01
Traventuria
Standard AC
14:30
17:15
$29.54
Traventuria
Standard AC
14:46
16:00
$24.24
Karat S
Regular
15:10
17:30
$9.65
Traventuria
Standard AC
15:30
17:44
$29.99
Karat S
Regular
16:10
18:30
$9.65
Traventuria
Standard AC
16:41
18:55
$23.61
Karat S
Regular
17:00
19:20
$9.65
Union Ivkoni National
Standard AC
17:30
20:00
$9.18
Karat S
Regular
18:00
20:20
$9.65
Union Ivkoni National
Standard AC
18:30
20:30
$9.18
Karat S
Regular
19:00
21:20
$9.65
Union Ivkoni National
Standard AC
19:50
22:00
$8.88
Union Ivkoni National
Standard AC
21:10
23:05
$9.18
Traventuria
Standard AC
21:31
00:16
$29.98
Traventuria
Standard AC
23:31
23:59
$29.95

How to get from Plovdiv to Sofia by Bus

Taking a bus to get from Plovdiv to Sofia is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. To less traveled destinations, there may be only 1 scheduled trip a day. The most common bus types are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, and premium buses.

It is best to reserve your tickets at least a few days ahead of your travel date. Check our list of bus companies available for online booking offering Plovdiv to Sofia tickets. When traveling on weekends and holidays it is recommended to reserve tickets much earlier due to higher numbers of travelers, both vacation-makers and urban workers returning home to their provincial home.

How far is it from Plovdiv to Sofia?

Traveling by bus, the distance from Plovdiv to Sofia depends on the route taken. Most bus companies travel via expressways or tollways. This may not necessarily be the shortest route but it is the fastest one as normally there is less traffic and no traffic lights.

To get to certain island destinations which are not connected to the mainland by a bridge, buses board large car ferries. Passengers are usually asked to get off the bus, but there is no need to take your luggage from the bus. The travel distance from port to port is added to the total distance.

How long does it take to get from Plovdiv to Sofia by Bus?

The estimate travel time from Plovdiv to Sofia is about 1h 55m. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Plovdiv and Sofia may differ greatly There is usually more traffic between morning until afternoon during weekdays than during weekends.

Another important factor that may affect travel time is the type of bus. Premium or VIP buses are usually faster as they use motorways and call to fewer bus stations (if any) en route. Buses normally make short 10-30-minute breaks after a few hours of continuous travel to allow passengers use bathrooms, stock up on munchies and let bus attendants and the driver have rest.

Some premium buses have onboard toilets and the second driver. Nevertheless, usually they still make en route stops for a quick lunch or fuel refill.

How much does it cost to get from Plovdiv to Sofia by Bus?

The ticket price from Plovdiv to Sofia can vary depending on the type of buses you choose. For a less expensive ticket consider non-air-conditioned or ordinary buses. Premium or luxury buses are more expensive but you can expect more comfort and some additional services like phone charging ports, personal entertainment system screens and toilets.

Plovdiv to Sofia timetable

To help you plan your trip, here is the Plovdiv to Sofia timetable of bus departure and arrival times.

Best Rated Companies for this Route

Bus companies differ a lot in quality and service they provide. When choosing a bus company for you travels, do some basic research before you buy your tickets.

Safety is one of the most important aspects to consider. We also recommend you checking reviews on overall service quality of the bus companies serving this route.

Our service only partners with reliable and trustworthy bus companies. We do our best to provide your a choice of the best operators available on each route.

Transportation from Plovdiv to Sofia

Facts about the bus from Plovdiv to Sofia

Cheapest Bus$12
Fastest Bus1h 55m
Earliest Bus6:30 AM
Latest Bus7:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes0
Distance148 kilometers
Bus CompaniesCitylines, Karat S, Traventuria, Union Ivkoni National