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Sofia to Plovdiv: train, bus or a day trip?
Plovdiv is about 132 km from Sofia, and most visitors to Bulgaria combine the two. Here is how to make the journey by train, bus or car, how long it takes, and why we think Plovdiv deserves at least one night.
7 November 202610 min
Gita Simonsen
Most visitors to Bulgaria start in Sofia, and many then wonder whether Plovdiv is worth the journey. It is. The old town, the Roman theatre and the restaurants of Kapana make it one of the most rewarding cities in the Balkans. The question is only how to get there, and whether to stay the night.
In short: Sofia to Plovdiv
Distance: about 132 km.
Train: around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours, about six direct trains a day.
Bus: around two and a half hours, with departures through the day.
Our advice: stay at least one night in Plovdiv.
Our first choice in Plovdiv: Check availability and prices at DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center, where we stayed.
By train
Trains run from Sofia Central Station to Plovdiv, a short walk from the centre of Plovdiv. The fastest take about 2 hours 40 minutes, and there were around six direct trains a day in November 2026. Tickets are cheap, usually under 10 euro, and can be bought at the station or on the website of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ).
By bus
Buses leave from the central bus station next to the railway station in Sofia and take around two and a half hours. They run more often than the trains, and tickets cost from around 9 euro. At weekends, buy your ticket a day in advance.
By car or taxi
The motorway from Sofia to Plovdiv is fast and well signposted, and the drive takes around an hour and three quarters. A car is useful if you want to continue to the Rhodope mountains, Bachkovo Monastery or the ski resort of Pamporovo.
The Roman theatre
The Roman theatre is a short walk from the hotels in central Plovdiv. Photo: Picolo
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip is possible, but with five to six hours of travel you will only see the old town and the theatre. Plovdiv is at its best in the evening, when Kapana fills up, and early in the morning, before the day visitors arrive.
See the best hotels in Plovdiv, the route through Plovdiv Old Town and our Plovdiv travel guide. For Sofia itself, see our Sofia travel guide.
Picolo would choose
Picolo would choose: the morning bus or train from Sofia and two nights in Plovdiv.
Why: you arrive in time for lunch in the old town and have a whole evening in Kapana. The trade-off: you need a day less in Sofia.
Frequently asked questions about getting from Sofia to Plovdiv
How long does it take from Sofia to Plovdiv?
The fastest trains take about 2 hours 40 minutes, and most direct trains take just under 3 hours. Buses take around two and a half hours, depending on traffic. By car, the motorway journey of about 132 km takes around an hour and three quarters. Allow extra time on Friday afternoons when Sofia traffic is heavy.
Is the train or the bus better from Sofia to Plovdiv?
The bus is usually a little faster and runs more often through the day. The train is cheaper, more comfortable for stretching your legs and has a view of the Thracian plain, but there are only around six direct trains a day. Check the timetable for the day you travel, and buy bus tickets in advance at weekends.
Can you do Plovdiv as a day trip from Sofia?
Yes, but it is a long day. With around five to six hours of travel there and back, you will have time for the old town and the Roman theatre, but not for an evening in Kapana. We recommend at least one night in Plovdiv, which also lets you see the old town early in the morning.
Sources
Train times and prices come from Omio and the timetable of Bulgarian State Railways, last checked on 7 November 2026. Timetables change, so check the day before you travel. Hotel ratings come from Hotels.com. The advice comes from Picolo’s own trip to Plovdiv.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Enjoy Paris
Gita Simonsen