Car Rental in Burgas

Why rent a car in Burgas?

Burgas is a great place to explore. With a rental car, you’ll be able to see most of its historic landmarks, explore its long and beautiful beaches, as well as to travel to nearby impressive national parks. From Burgas, you can also explore the rest of the Bulgarian coast, travel inland to the mountains and the capital Sofia, or even visit a neighboring country.

Top ways to enter Burgas

• Burgas Airport: Also known as Bourgas Airport (and as Letishte Burgas in Bulgarian), it is the second-busiest airport in Bulgaria. Especially active during the summer months, it is served by more than 40 different airlines that offer flights to countless destinations in Europe and even some in the Middle East and East Asia. The airport is located 10km (6.2 miles) northeast of Burgas’ city center.
• Varna Airport: Serving another prominent holiday destination on the Black Sea Coast, Varna Airport is the third-busiest airport in Bulgaria. In 2018, it served around 2.2 million travelers, and is one of the fastest-growing airports in Southeast Europe. Located about 135km (84 miles) north of Burgas, the distance between the two can be driven in two hours with large portions of the road going right along the coast.
• Sofia Airport: The busiest in Bulgaria, Sofia Airport sees around 7 million travelers every year. Served by around 20 different airlines, the airport is a large hub for Bulgaria Air as well as low-cost airlines WizzAir and Ryanair. Sofia Airport is located about 380km (236 miles) west of Burgas.
• Plovdiv Airport: A small and cozy airport that’s mainly active during the summer months, it is served by five different airlines and has flights to and from Israel, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. Serving Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv Airport is located about 260km (160 miles) southwest of Burgas.

City facts

• Enjoying a humid subtropical climate, Burgas has long, warm summers and cool winters. The average temperature is 22°C  (72°F) in August, the warmest month, and 2°C  (36°F) in January, the coldest month. April is the rainiest month and December the driest. Although Burgas is one of the warmest cities in Bulgaria, it still experiences at least a few snowy days every winter.
• Burgas is surrounded by many beautiful and protected areas, such as the Unsungeren Protected Area, the Mandra Lake Protected Area, and the Chengene Skele Protected Area. The large wetlands attract many migratory birds and Burgas has been recording record numbers of migrating Dalmatian Pelicans, Marsh Harriers, and Red-footed Falcons. 

Top sights and activities

• Archaeological Museum. Although nowadays Burgas is part of Bulgaria, its strategic location on the Black Sea has attracted many empires. Throughout centuries, the city was ruled by Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and others. The Archaeological Museum of Burgas honors this heritage with displays of many interesting artifacts and exhibitions. 
• Burgas Beach. Let’s face it, Burgas is first and foremost a beach destination. And with a long, golden Black Sea shoreline in the center of the city, why wouldn’t it be? One of the nicest beach destinations in Eastern Europe, Burgas offers not only sunbathing and swimming, but also opportunities for doing water sports like surfing and kite-surfing. Another interesting beach destination to explore is the nearby St. Anastasia Island which is easily reached from Burgas by boat.
• Sea garden. Known as Morska gradina in Bulgaria, the Sea garden is a large and beautiful public park overlooking Burgas Bay. Lined with wide alleys and full of charming little cafeterias, this monument of landscape architecture is the perfect place for a day outdoors.
• The Ethnographic Museum. In addition to a glorious imperial history, the Burgas area has many unique local traditions that can be just as interesting to explore. The best place to learn about it is the Ethnographic Museum which features a number of exhibits on topics such as Eastern Bulgarian crafts, folk costumes, and the historical way of life.
• Petko Zadkorski Art Gallery of Burgas. Among the most modern and interesting art centers on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, it has sections dedicated to graphics, painting, sculpture, and religious art. The museum was named after one of the most famous artists of Burgas, who lived during the first half of the 20th century. Visit the gallery’s English language website to learn more.

Traffic and parking

• Cars in Bulgaria drive on the right hand side of the road
• Outside the main population areas and areas of national importance, the road signs are often only written in Cyrillic. If you cannot read this alphabet, it’s a good idea to get a dictionary, perhaps in mobile format, to be able to read them.
• Speed cameras are in use.
• Drivers are only allowed to use mobile phones with hands-free systems.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines. Driving with a blood alcohol content of over 1.2% will lead to imprisonment.
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

For many motorways in Bulgaria you need to obtain a highway vignette. The price of the vignette depends on the term (1 day, weekend, weekly, monthly, etc.) and on the type of car. You can purchase vignettes online as well as at locations such as gas stations. Find out more on the official Bulgarian toll road website.

You also have to pay a fee for crossing certain bridges and for taking your car on a ferry to cross certain bodies of water. Find out more about the crossing points and the fees on the official European toll road website. 

Ideas for day trips

• Poda. One of the large wetlands surrounding Burgas, Poda is a protected area and a conservation center. With some hiking trails, it is a great spot for birdwatching with rare species like pygmy cormorants and red-breasted geese migrating through the area every year. Just 12km (7 miles) south of Burgas, the nature preserve can be reached in about 15 minutes. 
• Nesebar. One of the oldest cities in the region, Nesebar has been home to different civilizations and is the most famous for the remnants of Byzantine architecture, the standout being the Old Metropolitan Church that’s more than 1,500 years old. Its narrow streets and ancient buildings create a unique atmosphere and, with a permanent population of just 11,000, it’s one of the most relaxing destinations in Bulgaria. Just 36km (23 miles) south of Burgas, Nesebar can be reached by car in 35 minutes.
• Strandzha Mountains. A unique place that feels like traveling back in time, the villages of the Strandzha Mountains are famous for wooden buildings and the unique traditions of fire dancing and celebrating ancient pagan rituals. Away from human settlements, the mountains have many scenic hiking trails and plenty of wildlife. Located about 80km (49.7 miles) south of Burgas, the Strandzha Mountains can be reached in just over one hour.
• Varna. The largest Bulgarian city on the Black Sea coast, Varna is not just a famous beach resort, but also a historical and culturally rich destination known for its quality museums, distinct architecture, and ancient sites. The drive from Burgas takes about two hours, so Varna can technically be visited on a day trip, but leaving two or three days aside if you have the time might make your time here even more rewarding.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Burgas is the Renault Clio. A lot of drivers also choose the Chevrolet Kalos and the Peugeot 301. The most popular rental car types in Burgas are economy, compact, and standard.

Further destinations

• Sofia. The capital of Bulgaria is the country’s most upbeat, dynamic place and an upcoming hub of innovation in the arts, culture, and technology. It also houses some of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in the world and is near the mountain of Vitosha, a winter sports paradise. From Burgas, Sofia can be reached by car in about three and a half hours.
• Plovdiv. Bulgaria’s second city is the best place to experience Bulgaria’s Hellenistic and  Roman roots with a nearly intact Greek amphitheater and a Roman stadium. Other landmarks not to be missed include the Bachkovo Monastery and Asenovgrad Fortress, the St. Marina Church with its wooden tower, and the old Ottoman mosque. From Burgas, Plovdiv can be reached in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Istanbul. The meeting place of two continents, Istanbul is one of the mightiest cities in both Europe and Asia.Its  landmarks include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, but the city’s narrow paths with street vendors, nargile (or shisha) bars, and hamams (or Turkish baths) are just as fascinating. Istanbul is just 335km (208 miles) southeast of Burgas and can be reached by car in four hours. You’ll have to cross the international border between Bulgaria and Turkey, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Another option is to drop one car off in Burgas and later pick up another one in Istanbul. Also, check to see if you require a visa as the entry requirements for Turkey are quite different from those for Bulgaria.

Car rental prices in Burgas

• SUVs - from $33 per day
• Small cars - from $24 per day
• Station wagons - from $40 per day
• Large cars - from $42 per day
• Medium cars - from $38 per day
• Vans - from $55 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these tips to get a good car rental deal in Burgas:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Burgas is the cheapest in March when renting a car is a whole 70% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit the Black Sea coast in early spring!