How to get to Plovdiv

Plovdiv the city of the 7 hills

It is the second biggest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv – is a pretty good option for a day trip outside of Sofia. Usually the first option for people who have a day to spare outside the capital is the Rila Monastery. However, Plovdiv should not be underestimated because it offers a lot of variety and it could cater for all kinds of interests. It has a lot to offer when it comes to sightseeing and culture.  It also boasts a lot of lovely restaurants and shopping streets. Plovdiv is also 2019’s European Capital of Culture. That means that there’s plenty to explore in this beautiful ancient city! How to get from Sofia to Plovdiv and respectively from Plovdiv to Sofia? – We are here to help!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s start with a beautiful shot of Plovdiv’s Old Town:

Getting to Plovdiv from Sofia is easy. Here are the common ways to do it:

• To Plovdiv by BUS:

Taking the bus is the fastest way to get to Plovdiv if you want to use public transport. Several different companies are serving the Sofia to Plovdiv and back route. Prices vary from 5 to 10 euro for a one-way ticket and 10 to 20 euro for a return ticket. Buses leave the Sofia Central Bus Station every hour (even every 30 minutes in the middle of the day). The journey takes around two hours. As there isn’t one combined timetable with all departure times, here are several different websites where you can look for a Sofia to Plovdiv bus service and buy your ticket online. Tickets can also be purchased on the spot at the central bus station before departure (if available).

• Check the schedule of busexpress.bg where you can easily buy your ticket online.
• You can also check the timetable on the webpage of the bus station. The website is avaliable in German, English and Bulgarian. Buses leave from Sofia’s central bus station and arrive at Plovdiv’s Yug (South) bus station.
• FlixBus also operates a bus to Plovdiv once a day. Tickets can be bought on their website as well.
• Omio.com offers some additional options, not available on other websites, so check those as well, if none of the above suited your schedule.

Travelling to Plovdiv by bus is the best option if you prefer doing things on your own, at your own pace. Once in Plovdiv, make sure to explore the city’s main landmarks with our daily free walking tours in English, in just 2 hours! You can join us twice a day! No reservation required! Just show up on the starting point! We’re always there!

• To Plovdiv by TRAIN:

In general, trains in Bulgaria tend to be a bit slower than buses. Unlike most European countries, trains here are slower, older, and not as convenient as the buses. However, most of the time they are cheaper, especially if you use some discount. Of course, there are also some advantages to taking a train. For example, they give you more flexibility (at least to stretch your legs). A train journey to Plovdiv takes a bit longer (usually around 2:30h) than the bus but it’s also a good option. Check out the timetable on the website of the Bulgarian State Railways.

• Travel Company:

If you prefer the hassle-free way of travelling, we can also recommend that you book one of the popular daily trips to Plovdiv. If you have limited time in Bulgaria, they also offer day trips that combine Plovdiv with other cities. Those are also quite affordable. Here are a few options:

PLOVDIV DAY TOUR FROM SOFIA – This is the most common and affordable option. Departing at 09:00 AM, this full-day trip takes you to Plovdiv, covers the main landmarks, and brings you back to Sofia around 5:00 – 5:30 PM. BOOK HERE.

PLOVDIV & ASEN’S FORTRESS – PRIVATE DAY TOUR – Your guide collects you from your Sofia hotel at 09:00 AM for the 1.5-hour drive to Plovdiv, where you’ll explore the city’s main landmarks. After free time for coffee or photos, the trip continues south into the Rhodope Mountains to Asen’s Fortress. You’ll be back in Sofia by 7PM. BOOK HERE.

PLOVDIV & BACHKOVO MONASTERY – PRIVATE DAY TOUR – After your 09:00 AM hotel pick‑up, relax on the 1.5‑hour drive through the Thracian Valley to Plovdiv. The tour then continues south into the Rhodope Mountains to visit Bachkovo Monastery – an 11th‑century Orthodox sanctuary surrounded by forested slopes. You’ll be back in Sofia by 7PM. BOOK HERE.

• To Plovdiv by CAR:

As usual, this is the best way to travel in Bulgaria. Get out of Sofia from Tsarigradsko shose and follow the E80 road (part of Trakiya highway). A car would also give you the flexibility to see some of the gorgeous places around Plovdiv.

How to get from Plovdiv Train/Bus Station to the center of Plovdiv? 

The central bus/train station is not too far away from the center of the city and you have a few options:

Walking

Walking from the central train/bus station to Plovdiv’s main pedestrian street would take you roughly 15 minutes. If your hostel is located somewhere in the heart of the city or the old town, and if you are not too tired from your bus/train journey, then this is a great option for you.

Taking a Taxi in Plovdiv

If you have a large suitcase and prefer the comfort of getting directly to your hotel/hostel/Airbnb, then you might consider taking a taxi. Taxis in Plovdiv are very affordable. A journey from the central station to your centrally-located accommodation shouldn’t cost more than 5 euro. Plenty of taxis will be waiting for you at Plovdiv’s train and bus stations. However, be aware of scammers. We recommend you call one at 6155, 6665, or 6160. They would typically arrive within 5 minutes.

Public Transport in Plovdiv

There are also plenty of other options to get around Plovdiv. Of course, it all depends on where you wanna go. Here’s an extensive list of all transport options in Plovdiv.

What to do in Plovdiv?

A lot of people visit Plovdiv for just one day. However, if you are not in a hurry, we recommend you spend at least two full days to get a more comprehensive feel for this unique city. Here are our favorite things to do in Plovdiv:

Explore Plovdiv’s main landmarks

Once you arrive in the city, the best way to explore the city is by a tour organized by the Free Plovdiv Tour. The tour runs every single day at 11am (from October to April) and twice a day  (from May to September) in front of the Municipality building on the main street. Check the Free Plovdiv Tour website for the most up-to-date schedule. It will give a general overview of the historical center, and it is a great option to get your bearings. After the tour you would have seen Plovdiv’s most famous sights. This is a great option, especially if you don’t have too much time.

The meeting spot of the tour. Photo sourse.

Plovdiv from above!

As we’ve already mentioned, Plovdiv is the city of 7 hills. Right in the heart of the Old Town, you will find Nebet Tebe. Make sure to get to the top of the hill to witness this classic Plovdiv view:

View from Nebet Tepe

Visit a museum

Plovdiv offers plenty of great museums and art galleries, housed in some of Plovdiv’s unique Old Town Houses. By far, the most famous one is the Ethnographic museum – make sure to check it out once in Plovdiv

Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum

Have a glass of wine at Kapana!

Up until a few years ago, the Kapana district in Plovdiv was one of the city’s most rundown central areas. That is no longer the case, as Kapana is now fully pedestrian, full of quirky art shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants.

Dive into Plovdiv’s graffiti scene!

Plovdiv is probably Bulgaria’s richest city when it comes to street art and graffiti. The local scene is so strong that there is now even a graffiti tour that takes you around of the city’s most significant examples of street art. Here’s an extensive list of street art in Plovdiv and where to find it.

Nightlife in Plovdiv

We saved the best for last – Plovdiv’s rich bar & clubs culture. Basically the entire city center (including the Old Town, Kapana and the main pedestrian street) is full with bars, clubs and restaurants for any taste. Don’t leave Plovdiv without a night out.

Explore beyond Plovdiv – What to see around Bulgaria’s second city?

Here are some ideas:

• Visit The Bachkovo Monastery. The Bachkovo monastery was built in 1083 by two brothers of Byzantine and Georgian origin. It is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria after the Rila monastery.

Photo sourse

• Visit The Asenova krepost (Asen’s fortress). This fascinating place is seated on a high, rocky ridge in the Rodopi mountain, on the left coast of the Asenitsa river, about 2-3 km south from the little town of Asenovgrad (“the town of Asen”) and 20 km south from Plovdiv.
  

  Photo sourse

How to get back from Plovdiv to Sofia?

Getting back from Plovdiv to Sofia can be slightly more complicated. The bus services are split between two different companies – one operates during the first half of the day, and the other during the second half.

Travelling in the morning

In the morning hours, you can travel with Meri Trans 2002. Their buses depart from the Yug (South) Bus Station in Plovdiv. Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket desk at the bus station or reserved in advance via Viber chat at +359894000003.

Please note that reserved tickets must be paid for at the same ticket desk at Yug Bus Station at least 30 minutes before departure.

Buses to Sofia leave from 6:30am, 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am & 12:30am

Travelling in the afternoon