Getting around Bulgaria via public transport can be more difficult and limiting than renting a car, due to the lack of an accessible, centralized system; plus, they use a Cyrillic alphabet. Many private companies operate long-distance buses, while towns and cities have their own bus systems that often operate older vehicles on routes that aren’t always accessible without asking a local for help. Transfers are common even between short distances.
A car can get you from A to B, but you may want to rent a 4x4 if you plan to explore the mountainous regions. Bulgaria can experience heavy snowfall in the winter, so make sure to equip your vehicle with tire chains if you plan to visit any of the more mountainous regions in the winter months.
There are numerous safety items that you’ll be legally required to have in your car while driving in Bulgaria. You’ll need a fire extinguisher, a reflective jacket, a first-aid kit and a hazard triangle in order to legally drive in the country. When you rent a car in Bulgaria, all of these things should be included with the rental, but taking a quick look to make sure everything is there can potentially get you out of a ticket.
If you’re planning on crossing the border into neighboring countries like Macedonia, Serbia, Romania or Greece, you’ll need to obtain permission from your rental car agency first. The proper insurance and a "green card" that shows proof of insurance are essential for crossing the borders into neighboring countries successfully. As with crossing any border, make sure you have your passport/visa, your ID and your rental car papers on hand.
25% of our users found rental cars in Bulgaria for ₪113 or less
Book your rental car in Bulgaria at least 3 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Bulgaria are around 31% more expensive than airport locations on average
Compact rental cars in Bulgaria are around 0% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Bulgaria
On average a rental car in Bulgaria costs ₪80 per day.
Intermediate (Hyundai Tucson or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Bulgaria.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at MEXRENTACAR (₪27/day), AcaRent (₪30/day) and GREEN MOTION (₪31/day).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Bulgaria are Sofia (81% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Bulgaria), Varna (7%) and Burgas (6%).
On average a rental car in Bulgaria costs ₪953 per week (₪136 per day).
On average a rental car in Bulgaria costs ₪4,083 per month (₪136 per day).
Driving in Bulgaria depends on where you are in the country. The driving conditions can vary widely from metropolitan cities like Sofia or Varna to the rural areas. Sudden lane changes and drivers overtaking you on the shoulder are a couple of the things to keep an eye out for.
To rent a car in Bulgaria, you must be over the age of 21. However, as in the US, travelers under the age of 25 who plan on renting a car will often be subjected to additional surcharges. If you’re a new driver, then take note that your license must have been valid for at least one year to rent a car in Bulgaria.
Make sure to budget appropriately for petrol when renting a vehicle in Bulgaria, as the petrol prices are almost twice what they are in the United States. The average price of petrol in the US sits at around 4.3 BGN (2.50 USD) per gallon, while a gallon of fuel in Bulgaria will cost you closer to the equivalent of around 8.5 BGN (4.85 USD).
Speed limits in Bulgaria are unique in that they are different for cars, buses and motorcycles. For cars, the speed limit in towns is 50 km/h (31 mph), the speed limit outside of town limits is 90 km/h (56 mph), the speed limit on expressways is 120 km/h (75 mph) and the speed limit on motorways is 140 km/h (87 mph).
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.