Cheap Car Rental in Bulgaria $15+/day - FREE Cancellation

Travel Information

Language

Bulgarian,
Macedonian,
Turkish,
Albanian

Currency

BGN

Drive on

Right-hand side

Country code

+359

Average car rental price

$24.35 / per day

Average car rental length

9 days

Speed limit within town

20 - 50 km/h

12 - 31 mph

Speed limit out of town

90 - 130 km/h

56 - 81 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

9.3

Average gasoline price

$1.55 per liter

Highest gasoline price

$1.81 per liter

Lowest gasoline price

$1.37 per liter

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 $56.13 per day
From Bulgaria to Romania - 15 offers from $35.76 per day
From Bulgaria to North Macedonia - 15 offers from $35.76 per day
From Bulgaria to Bosnia and Herzegovina - 21 offers from $52.02 per day
From Bulgaria to Serbia - 70 offers from $39.30 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 $139 per day
Station wagons - from $23 per day
Large cars - from $22 per day
Medium cars - from $19 per day
Vans - from $30 per day
Premium cars - from $44 per day
Small cars - from $15 per day
SUVs - from $23 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 $14.74 per day
Car Rental in Burgas from $22.76 per day
Car Rental in Varna from $17.40 per day
Car Rental in Plovdiv from $22.16 per day
Car Rental in Golden Sands from $24.87 per day
Car Rental in Nessebar from $35.40 per day
Car Rental in Obzor from $26.80 per day
Car Rental in Ruse from $133.60 per day
Car Rental in Tsarevo from $53.67 per day
Car Rental in Bansko from $94.77 per day
Car Rental in Razlog
Car Rental in Botevgrad
Car Rental in Blagoevgrad
Car Rental in Stara Zagora from $74.23 per day
Car Rental in Sliven
Car Rental in Aheloy
Car Rental in Pleven
Car Rental in Sandanski
Car Rental in Pazardzhik
Car Rental in Smolyan

Top 6 Most Popular Locations in Bulgaria

Car Rental at Sofia Airport from $14.74 per day
Car Rental at Burgas Airport from $22.76 per day
Car Rental at Varna Airport from $20.79 per day
Car Rental in Sofia (Downtown) from $19.01 per day
Car Rental at Plovdiv Airport from $24.38 per day
Car Rental at Sofia Hotel Balkan

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

$14.94

January

$17.19

February

$15.85

March

$20.22

April

$20.46

May

$29.03

June

$43.44

July

$47.09

August

$24.96

September

$20.69

October

$16.97

November

$20.76

December

The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Bulgaria is January — when rental costs average $14.94 per day. This is 39% cheaper than the yearly average and 68% cheaper than renting a car in August (when prices average $47.09 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.

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 June — an average of 10 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in February — an average of 7 days.

Average rental length in Bulgaria

8

January

7

February

8

March

8

April

8

May

10

June

10

July

9

August

9

September

8

October

7

November

9

December

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

49%

January

55%

February

62%

March

119%

April

122%

May

142%

June

181%

July

172%

August

120%

September

84%

October

38%

November

56%

December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations	94
Airport locations	4
Popular suppliers	Top Rent A Car, BOJONE, Speed Rent A Car, Yes Rent A Car, CarRent
Popular car categories	Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Large cars
Lowest price	$15 per day
Cheapest supplier	Surprice

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
Top Rent A Car	Renault Clio	5	1	Small cars
Top Rent A Car	Ford Custom Tourneo	5	2	Vans
Yes Rent A Car	Renault Clio	5	2	Small cars
Yes Rent A Car	Peugeot 208	5	1	Small cars
Surprice	Volkswagen Polo	5	1	Small cars
Autounion	Volkswagen Up	5	2	Small cars
Low Cost Cars	Dacia Sandero	5	1	Small cars
BOJONE	Opel Zafira 5+2	4	5	Large 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.

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;

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