Car Rental in Bulgaria
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Downtown Car Rental
Mini
Chevrolet Spark
or similar
$2.64
/ per day
Varna Airport Car Rental
Economy
Ford Fiesta
or similar
$3.26
/ per day
Sofia Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Skoda Octavia
or similar
$5.66
/ per day
Sofia Airport Car Rental
Compact
Skoda Rapid
or similar
$6.48
/ per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Sofia Airport Car Rental
Compact Elite
Opel Astra
or similar
$6.89
/ per day
Burgas Airport Car Rental
Full-size
Volkswagen Passat STW
or similar
$8.91
/ per day
Sofia Airport Car Rental
Standard SUV
Suzuki Grand Vitara
or similar
$19.77
/ per day
Sofia Airport Car Rental
Intermediate Elite
Citroën C Elysee
or similar
$26.01
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 13:05 on 2023-12-04. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Languages
Bulgarian, Macedonian, Turkish, Albanian
Currency
BGN
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+359
Average car rental price
$10 per day
Average car rental length
9 days
Speed limit within town
20 - 50 km/h or 12 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 130 km/h or 56 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gasoline price
$1.56 per liter or $5.90 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$1.39 per liter or $5.25 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$1.83 per liter or $6.92 / 1 gallon
Why rent a car in Bulgaria?
Although not as well known as some other European countries, Bulgaria is a great place to explore by car. From ancient cities to stunning mountains, sunny beaches on the Black Sea coast and easy access to other interesting destinations in Europe, it is a place to miss at your own peril.
Whn you're in Bulgaria, don't miss these local specialities:
-
Banitsa - Bulgarians' favorite breakfast. A traditional flaky pastry filled with eggs, cheese, and butter. It goes well with Airyan (a salty yogurt drink) or Boza (a fermented wheat beverage
-
Meshana Skara - Bulgarian BBQ, including kufte (meatballs with onion), kebapche (long meatballs with spices), and various meat stakes.
-
Tarator - cold soup made of yogurt, cucumbers, dill, garlic, and walnuts.
-
Shopska Salata - salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onion, olives, and white cheese.
-
Shkembe Chorba - tripe soup heavily spiced with garlic, red paprika and milk.
-
Moussaka - a potato-based dish with minced meat with a yogurt-egg-based layer on the top.
One-way Car Rentals in Bulgaria
Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in Bulgaria and drop off in another country:
- From Bulgaria to Croatia - 143 offers from $56.87 per day
- From Bulgaria to Romania - 15 offers from $36.24 per day
- From Bulgaria to Serbia - 70 offers from $39.82 per day
- From Bulgaria to North Macedonia - 15 offers from $36.24 per day
- From Bulgaria to Bosnia and Herzegovina - 21 offers from $52.71 per day
Top ways to enter Bulgaria
- Sofia Airport: Bulgaria’s largest international airport that serves flights to and from most European countries as well as other continents.
- Burgas Airport: A small and cozy international airport located on the Black Sea.
- Varna Airport: Another international airport on the Black Sea Coast.
- By land: It’s possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and then drive to Bulgaria. It should be noted, however, that different visa requirements may be in place for citizens of different countries, so contact your embassy in advance to find out about any international borders you would like to cross. Some large cities with international airports near Bulgaria include Istanbul in Turkey, Thessaloniki in Greece, and Bucharest in Romania.
Top cities and places to visit
- Plovdiv. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, Plovdiv is a historic gem of a city. Attractions include the Ancient Roman stadium that was only uncovered in the 1970s, the Archaeological Museum with its famous Thracian gold, and a number of old churches, mosques, and synagogues.
- Sofia. Rougher around the edges than many other European capitals, Sofia can nonetheless be a fascinating destination. A hub of culture and commerce, it is notable for its many museums, the impressive St. Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, and the nearby Vitosha Mountain that’s just south of the capital.
- Varna. The golden Black Sea beaches of Bulgaria are one of the country’s main attractions, making the city of Varna a real tourism hotspot. Varna’s coastline is undoubtedly impressive, but so are its landmarks like the Naval Museum, Varna Aquarium, and Nicolaus Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium.
- Burgas. One of the biggest cities on the Black Sea coast offers lovely beaches, yummy street food, lively nightlife and also acts as a gateway to some of Bulgaria's most popular resort towns, such as Kiten, Primorsko, and Sozopol.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in Bulgaria is the VW Polo, but the Renault Clio and the Ford Fiesta are also often picked by travelers.
Driver's license requirements
Bulgaria accepts all driver licenses issued in the European Union (EU).
If your driver license is issued by a non-EU country, for it to be considered valid you’ll need a Bulgarian visa. Another requirement is to have been in the EU for no more than six months at the time of the rental. If you’ve been in the EU longer, you’ll need a driver license issued by an EU country.
Bulgaria uses the Cyrillic alphabet and also accepts driver licenses written in the Latin alphabet. However, if your driver license is printed in neither Cyrillic nor Latin, but in some other alphabet (e.g., Japanese, Arabic, Devanagari, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation of your license into Bulgarian.
You must carry your driver license, not its copy, with you at all times.
You need to have had your driver license for at least one or two years, depending on the car provider’s requirements.
There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
Bulgaria is bordered by Romania, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia. Each of these countries has its own visa policy, so you may or may not need a visa to enter them, depending on your citizenship. If you plan to visit Bulgaria’s neighbor during your rental period, we strongly advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out about the visa requirements.
Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our Help Center.
Most popular types of rental car
The type of car rented most often in Bulgaria is an economy, but standard and compact are also quite popular.
Top driving routes
- Strandzha Nature Park. A large nature area near the Black Sea and the border with Turkey, Strandzha is one of the nicest protected areas in the country. Made up of five smaller, distinct reserves, it is characterized by wetlands, primeval forests, and traditional wooden architecture. Inhabitants of the park include golden jackals, red deer, and Egyptian vultures.
- The Rhodopes. A mountain range in the south-central part of the country, the Rhodopes is one of the most interesting regions in Bulgaria. The area is known for its protected nature areas, spas, ancient sites, and unique traditions that include the famous Rhodope music.
- Bansko. A historically and culturally significant town for Bulgarians, nowadays Bansko is best known as a large winter sports base that attracts thousands of skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts every winter. The town can be just as lovely to visit during the warmer months, too, not least for its well-preserved old town, hiking trails, and the nearby brown bear sanctuary.
- The Seven Rila Lakes. Located in Rila National Park, the Seven Rila Lakes are a group of glacial lakes that offer some of the most stunning views on the continent. On your way, you can also see Bulgaria's most famous UNESCO World Heritage site - the Rila monastery.
- Koprivshtica. A historic little town that preserved Its traditional colorful houses and cobbled streets. Koprivschtica is also, a great place to find traditional and organic Bulgarian food.
- Bulgarian Seacoast. The most popular coast on the Black Sea offers everything from charming little villages like Tsarevo, historical towns like Nessebar, or party hubs like Sunny Beach.
Car Rental Prices
- Convertibles - from $29 per day
- Station wagons - from $5 per day
- Large cars - from $6 per day
- Medium cars - from $6 per day
- Vans - from $10 per day
- Premium cars - from $35 per day
- Small cars - from $3 per day
- SUVs - from $8 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Bulgaria:
- Compare rates
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Top 20 Most Popular Cities in Bulgaria
-
Car Rental in Sofia from $2.64 per day
-
Car Rental in Burgas from $3.96 per day
-
Car Rental in Varna from $3.26 per day
-
Car Rental in Plovdiv from $4.95 per day
-
Car Rental in Golden Sands from $11.67 per day
-
Car Rental in Nessebar from $38.46 per day
-
Car Rental in Obzor from $41.95 per day
-
Car Rental in Bansko from $52.44 per day
-
Car Rental in Balchik from $23.99 per day
-
Car Rental in Tsarevo from $64.08 per day
-
Car Rental in Aheloy from $43.12 per day
-
Car Rental in St. Constantine and Helena from $34.96 per day
Top 5 Most Popular Locations in Bulgaria
-
Car Rental at Sofia Airport from $2.79 per day
-
Car Rental at Burgas Airport from $3.96 per day
-
Car Rental at Varna Airport from $3.26 per day
-
Car Rental at Plovdiv Airport from $5.45 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bulgaria?
The cost of renting a car in Bulgaria varies by season. This graph compares prices from month to month in order to help you find the best time of year.
Average rental costs per day in Bulgaria
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Bulgaria is November — when rental costs average $12.34 per day. This is 46% cheaper than the yearly average and 72% cheaper than renting a car in July (when prices average $43.35 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the average rental length in Bulgaria?
How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in July — an average of 10 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in February — an average of 7 days.
Average number of rental days in Bulgaria
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Bulgaria?
Based on how many customers search for a car in Bulgaria, the most popular month is July, while the least popular is November.
Monthly searches in Bulgaria by pick-up date relative to the average
Car Rental Information
| Car rental locations | 94 |
| Airport locations | 4 |
| Popular suppliers | Top Rent A Car, BOJONE, Low Cost Cars, CarRent, Speed Rent A Car |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Station wagons |
| Lowest price | $3 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Yes Rent A Car |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Rent A Car | Hyundai i20 | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Top Rent A Car | Citroen C3 | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Low Cost Cars | Dacia Sandero | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Green Rent A Car | Toyota Aygo X | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Low Cost Cars | Renault Clio Grandtour | 5 | 2 | Station wagons |
| Fly Rent A Car | Volkswagen Polo | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| BOJONE | Hyundai i20 | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Green Rent A Car | Toyota Yaris Cross | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Top Rent A Car | Renault Clio | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Speed Rent A Car | Renault Megane | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
LS
Lebanon
Toyota Yaris
November 15, 2023
My trip was perfect to see my friends, the automnal nature in Sofia at that time. The opening of new restaurants was a pleasure.
HB
United States of America (USA)
Renault Clio
October 15, 2023
The roads were very nice in Bulgaria
PC
Ireland
Mitsubishi Lancer
September 16, 2023
Just used the car for social and domestic purposes.
AS
Poland
Mitsubishi Lancer
September 12, 2023
Trip to Warna, Kaliakra, Sunny beach and Sozopol, a lot of sightseeing
LB
Ireland
Citroen C3
September 10, 2023
Just had relaxing holiday restaurants all good
AW
Canada
Renault Clio
August 20, 2023
Drove from Sofia to Black sea, stayed at our apartment by the sea & sand. Took a couple of trips inland to see the country & visit friends. There is lots to do & see in Bulgaria, or you can just take it easy for a couple of weeks & enjoy the wonderful weather, as we did. Had peace of mind with the car knowing it was neary new & well maintained.
ER
Azerbaijan
Chevrolet Cruze
August 13, 2023
Shopping in Burgas.
MS
United Kingdom
Suzuki Splash
July 30, 2023
Great trip to Kiten with wonderful beach.
MW
United Kingdom
Volkswagen Up
July 29, 2023
First time in Bulgaria beautiful scenery
GT
United Kingdom
Peugeot 208
July 25, 2023
Central Balkans, Karlovo, Rose Valley, Troyan Pass, Plovdiv. If you like to drive around a country then visit this area, you won't be disappointed.
ND
Norway
Hyundai i20
July 13, 2023
Overall good but the gas should be full tank to full tank
NI
United Kingdom
Citroen C3
July 9, 2023
Traveled a lot for leisure and had amazing time
VR
Israel
Toyota Corolla
July 2, 2023
nature spots
DG
Lithuania
Toyota Aygo X
June 21, 2023
Nature parks
YB
Israel
Peugeot 308
May 22, 2023
Great car
MI
United Kingdom
Seat Ibiza
April 25, 2023
Relax
JT
Germany
Toyota Yaris
January 31, 2023
It was much more affordable for us to rent the car and drive up to the Rila Monastery from Sofia. This also gave us the freedom to explore without being on someone else’s time schedule.
PM
Ireland
Volkswagen Golf
January 30, 2023
Skiing was great but people were very rude wherever we went
RT
Israel
Opel Zafira 5+2
December 28, 2022
Nice views
SG
United Kingdom
Hyundai i20
December 24, 2022
I was in Bansko for a few days. Very nice place to rest, and a good restaurants too.
KS
Bulgaria
Ford Fiesta
November 26, 2022
My trip was purely business and I have already recommended the car agency to my colleagues. Car was in perfect condition, the agent very polite and helpful and definitely will continue taking car from the same agency in the future.
IS
Greece
Honda Civic
November 20, 2022
Of course I would
PW
Austria
Fiat Panda
October 20, 2022
Second time I took a car from surprice and I was always positivly surpriced :)
SR
Spain
Volkswagen Up
September 30, 2022
good food, excellent nature ( trekking 7 lakes of Rila )
AG
Italy
VW Polo
September 6, 2022
The trip was 12 days. 3 were the main stages:
- Plovidiv steeped in antiquity, pretty and clean;
- Obsorn in the middle of the Black Sea coast, quiet and good location to see the surroundings, such as very delightful Nesembar and a good sea.
- Velico Tarnovo pleasant, ancient center to see and sites to visit;
RN
Netherlands
Opel Zafira 5+2
August 29, 2022
We had a house with a pool and did not visit a lot of places
JM
Spain
Ford Custom Tourneo
August 24, 2022
Bulgaria is interesting but not very ready for tourism. (Lack of English speakers, few touristic spots)
ED
Netherlands
Peugeot 208
August 22, 2022
Mountains and black sea.
LA
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 208
August 7, 2022
Very good
VH
Bulgaria
Toyota Yaris
July 30, 2022
We went across Bulgaria, I highly recommend the Canyon of Waterfalls near Smolyan if you don't mind a light hike. The Belogradchik fortress and rocks were amazing, so were the Devetashka and Prohodna caves. Near Prohodna there is a rock monastery but that requires a light hike as well. Make sure to carry water tho as it gets quite hot in the summers. Also, make sure to visit one of the nice beaches, don't go to the famous ones, if you go down the cost to Primorsko or Ahtopol or Tsarevo, the sea and sand are just as good but there's less people. Carry cash, very little places offer card payments when you stray off of the tourist's paths.
MM
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai i10
May 23, 2022
No A/C
RV
Netherlands
Renault Clio
February 20, 2022
Veliko Tarnovo is great!
ET
United States of America (USA)
Opel Zafira 2011
August 7, 2021
I would definitely rent from this company again.
AS
Estonia
Renault Clio
July 31, 2021
Travelled from Sofia to Plovdiv, to Vidin and to some other small places around. Awesome road trip, liked it a lot.
TM
United Kingdom
Peugeot 208
September 10, 2020
beatiful nature and mountains
AJ
United Kingdom
Fiat Tipo STW
March 5, 2020
Sophia itself has only a few attractions to see. Would highly recommend leaving the city and visiting other destinations in the country like Bansko.
Great country to visit it you are a group of friends looking for a fun long weekend away
JD
Bulgaria
Hyundai i30
February 17, 2020
Sofia is a v interesting city with a long history ..for eg one of the first church councils was held at Serdika 334 AD prompting a split within THE church which led to a walkout by many bishops in order to have their own council meeting at Plovdiv. Goodbye
BS
United Kingdom
Seat Ibiza 5d
January 11, 2020
Driving in Sofia is experience, you need to be mindful that road traffic laws not followed by most drivers. Parking on street mostly needs scratch cards . Theses need to be bought from a parking attendant or some cigarette or mini market sells them.
RS
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
September 29, 2019
Bulgaria is very beautiful and easy to drive. Just be mindful of road conditions.
AP
United Kingdom
VW Polo
September 25, 2019
Other drivers way to aggressive. Roads not great.
AG
United Kingdom
Skoda Citigo
September 13, 2019
Varna is a lovely place to visit, so much to see, and a lot of culture.
PB
Hungary
VW Polo
September 11, 2019
Good quality car at an affordable price. Staff was very helpful and kind.
HH
United Kingdom
Renault Clio Grandtour
September 2, 2019
Lovely friendly place
LG
Czech Republic
Ford Fiesta
August 28, 2019
Sozopol is just great :-)
MS
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
August 28, 2019
PLEASE CHECK THAT ALL TOLLS AND ROAD TAXES HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE RENTAL COMPANY. AS NOT ALL CAR HIRE COMPANYS PAY THEM AND YOU ARE REPSONSABLE IF NOT. BURGAS AND BULGARIA IN GENERAL, ARE NOT WHAT PEOPLE THINK.THEY ARE MUCH SAFER AND DRIVING I FOUND SAFER THAN AT HOME
MM
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
August 25, 2019
Found Bulgaria easy to drive around. Main roads are generally in good condition. Lots of beautiful places to explore. Will definitely hire a car next time we head out.
DE
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
June 21, 2019
Bulgaria is a beautiful country to explore ! The northern coast from Balchik to Shabla is beautiful !
CG
United Kingdom
Citroen C3
March 26, 2019
We went to Sliven Shivachevo Tvarditsa and Nova Zagora all beautiful places to visit i would recommend everybody to visit Bulgaria
AS
South Africa
Renault Twingo
August 29, 2018
Very nice driving habits especially concern for pedestrians in Sofia
Some horrific overtaking on white lines by unpatient drivers
PW
Germany
Peugeot 208
August 27, 2018
I learnt that cars can be taken away very fast if parked in forbidden places, the travelers should be warned about it.
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
Lucky Rent A Car
9.7 / 10
Lowest rated company
NUCarrentals
6.6 / 10
Total number of reviews
97
Total rental companies
29
Average daily price
$9.95
Lowest daily price
$2.64
Total cars available
2572
Top 29 Suppliers in Bulgaria in 2023
Lucky Rent A Car
2 locations
$22 - $154
Lion Rent A Car
5 locations
$19 - $94
BOJONE
3 locations
$28 - $70
Top Rent A Car
82 locations
$5 - $191
Green Rent A Car
35 locations
$8 - $106
Thrifty
4 locations
$17 - $23
Sky Rent A Car
44 locations
$31 - $77
Hertz
6 locations
Autounion
5 locations
$11 - $196
SIXT
9 locations
$14 - $83
CarRent
2 locations
$24 - $119
Alamo
2 locations
$13 - $20
Budget
3 locations
$19 - $24
Dives Rent a car
7 locations
$34 - $89
Drive Rent A Car
2 locations
$3 - $93
Enterprise
1 location
$14 - $22
Low Cost Cars
83 locations
$4 - $35
Europcar
5 locations
$26 - $149
Avis
3 locations
$28 - $62
National
1 location
$16 - $114
Interrent
3 locations
EXER
1 location
$14 - $136
Yes Rent A Car
4 locations
$3 - $140
ABBYCAR
4 locations
$34 - $470
GreenMotion
6 locations
$3 - $288
AddCar
3 locations
$17 - $1028
Surprice
1 location
$6 - $78
EasyRentBulgaria
4 locations
$9 - $459
NUCarrentals
4 locations
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
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A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
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