What you should know before hiring a car in Sofia
| Sofia city centre | ||
| Sofia Airport (SOF): 5 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Sofia: practical information
Where to rent a car in Sofia
Heading to Bulgaria? Start planning your trip with cheap flights to Sofia. If you’re hoping to see more than just this dynamic capital, consider also booking a Sofia rental car. From Sofia Airport (SOF), pick up a rental from Hertz, Avis or Sixt.
It’s also possible to hire a car from the city centre. Eurodollar is located at 25 Vitosha but you’ll find that the international brands at the airport may offer more comprehensive coverage in terms of insurance and packages.
Driving in Sofia: parking and other tips
Sofia has a very good public transportation system, cheap taxis and also pretty bad traffic which is why many visitors tend to skip the rental cars if they only plan to visit Sofia’s city centre. If you want to explore further, a car hire is ideal.
Parking can be an issue in Sofia. To park in the city, you’ll need to use parking tickets in the so-called Blue Zones and Green Zones. Tickets need to be purchased from parking wardens wearing brightly-coloured green jackets in municipal parking lots. Avoid the hassle and book a hotel in Sofia with parking available.
Road trips from Sofia: what to do, what to see
Vitosha
Taking a trip south of Sofia and you’ll run into Vitosha, one of Bulgarian’s beautiful mountains. It’s recommended to visit on a sunny day for hiking but if you visit in winter, it’s also a great spot for skiing. Being right on the edge of the city, it’s a great spot for views over the capital.
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bulgaria and is located on Rila Massive, just a 1.5 hour drive from Sofia. The monastery was founded in the 10th century and is one of the country’s most important cultural and historical monuments. It would be a shame to miss it!
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the perfect day trip from Sofia with your rent car. The city lies around three hills in an otherwise flat area in the Thracian plain. The city has a historic centre, some Roman ruins and a very relaxed atmosphere. Spend the day shopping, sightseeing and enjoying some fine Bulgarian cuisine!