Sofia to Plovdiv bus with Karat-S

Sofia to Plovdiv Coach

Coaches travelling from Sofia to Plovdiv depart around 7 times a day and are serviced by 2 main coach companies Karat-S or Union Ivkoni. Both coaches leave at different times throughout the day and night and cover the 132 km (82 Miles) journey in varying times. The fastest coach will take around 1h 45min and the slowest coach around 2h 20min. The buses depart from as early as 8 a.m. and the last coach will be at around 11.30 p.m. If you want to have travel comforts then try and choose the main coach stations as your main departure and arrival stations for Sofia To Plovidv coach as this will make it more convenient and comfortable for your onwards journey.

Sofia to Plovdiv Coach Bus Time: Daily Departures

There are differing times of departure for the 2 coach companies servicing the route for Sofia to Plovdiv coach. The earliest coach departs from 8 a.m. and there are coaches leaving throughout the day right up until the last departure at 11.30 p.m.. There are fewer coach trips over the weekends and some days the journeys vary from 4 coaches up to 7 trips. As the coach journeys vary from day to day so check your Omio train schedule to see what would suit you best. You can consult the coach schedules by finding Sofia to Plovdiv Bus route and then clicking on ‘See All Busesto get an overview of your options for route. Once you have found your coach trip, make sure you get your tickets sent to your Omio app to avoid having to carry printed documents.

How long is the journey in bus from Sofia to Plovdiv?

Bus to Plovdiv from Sofia takes around 1h 45min for the fastest time, and up to 2h 30min for the slowest times depending on certain factors. Every coach travels direct over the 132 km (82 Mile) journey so you wont have a stopover. There are a variety of different departure times that can differ over week days and the weekends, so consult the Omio coach schedule in advance and see what would work best for you on the days you can travel with Sofia To Plovdiv coach. The bus ticket prices are average and you can save a little if you book in advance.

Sofia: View of the city at sunset. Source: Shutterstock

Where does the bus depart in Sofia and arrive in Plovdiv?

Sofia to Plovdid coaches run with 2 different bus companies Karat-S or Union Ivkoni who service the main routes leaving every day of the week and weekend. The main departure stations are Sofia, Centralna Avtogara and arrival stations are Plovdiv, Avtogara Yug or Plovdiv, North Bus Station or Plovdiv, Tsentralna Gara depending on what time, route and bus service provider you choose. Check the Omio travel bus calendars for options if you prefer any arrival stations that might suit your needs better.

Central Bus Station Sofia is the main bus station of Sofia, Bulgaria and has over 57 ticketing windows and a waiting area for your bus. Plovdiv Central Station is the biggest station whereas the other 2 drop offs are small bus stops, so choose which suits you best as the bigger station will have more travel facilities available to you.

What are the bus stops when arriving to Plovdiv?

There are 3 different bus stations or stops when taking your Sofia to Plovdiv coach so depending on your needs and final destinations you can choose what might suit you best. The main station is also part of the Plovdid Railway Station and is the biggest station servicing Bulgaria. This is the best bet if you want better travel facilities and comforts. The other 2 bus stops are Plovdiv, Avtogara Yug or Plovdiv, North Bus Station. These are basic bus stops so keep in mind you might need to plan further transport carefully from these stops.

What to see between Sofia and Plovdiv

Depending on whether you are travelling in the day or the night, the journey on Sofia to Plovdiv coach can be quite scenic depending what routes you take. Bulgaria is well known for its ancient architecture and ruins, and its traditional Bulgarian housing and backyards will make for an entertaining history journey from your bus window. It is a relaxing journey and much less stressful than driving your own car so sit back and enjoy the sights of a new city. You might be able to peer off into the distance and imagine history re-lived from the comfort of your bus window.

Information on Plovdiv Railway Station

There is one main bus station when arriving on Bus Sofia Plovdiv. The main station arrival is Plovdiv Railway station and is the biggest station in Bulgaria with a main line to Istanbul. There are 2 other arrival bus stops for the coach journey for bus Sofia - Plovdiv, Avtogara Yug or Plovdiv, North Bus Station. These are basic bus stops so keep in mind you might need to plan further transport carefully from these stops. The main railway/bus station has basic travel facilities on offer to you including:

• Access to public transport like trains and taxis
• Ticketing offices.
• Large Waiting Areas.
• News-stands and convenience snack stores
• Tourist Ticket Office for all your travel questions

Karat-S or Union Ivkoni are the coach transport providers for your Bus Sofia Plovdiv

Main coach service providers Karat-S and Union Ivkoni supply all coach journeys from Sofia to Plovdiv. There are only 2 coach companies and they have on average around 7 journeys a day with different stops, so consult the Omio schedule to see which company will serve your needs the best. The buses all run direct journeys and take on average from 1h 45min to 2h 20min for the longest. There are journeys running in the day and at night, and both are major Bulgarian comfort liners offering you all the necessary travel safety and reliability you would need.

Buses Sofia to Plovdiv: Sustainability Travel

Travelling by bus in Bulgaria is by far one of the most preferred options for sustainable travel and the more responsible means of travel. Did you know that bus journeys can emit up to 50% less carbon emissions than if you take a car? Bus travel also helps reduce the amount of cars on the road as you are transporting large amount of commuters with one single vehicle on the roads. It is the most economical means of travel as well, plus, you can travel safe in the knowledge you are being eco-conscious and aware about your gas footprints.

Bus Sofia to Plovdiv: Services on Board

Karat-S and Union Ivkoni are the main coach providers for Bus from Sofia to Plovdiv. Both bus companies offer these limited services on board.

• Comfortable pre booked adjustable seating.
• Air-Conditioning and heating.
• Free Wi-FI on Board.
• Restrooms
• Animals are not allowed on board except for guide dogs for assistance.
• If you want to travel with larger items like a bicycle, it needs to be wrapped and pre-booked with your coach company
• There is one Standard ticket available with no option for First or Second Class.
• Make sure you contact the coach operating company before you travel to check wheelchair accessibility. You can wrap and pack your wheelchair in the hold, but for any specialised needs contact the bus company 48 hours before the journey.
• You are welcome to bring your own snacks on board.

When to book your bus tickets from Sofia to Plovdiv

If you want to book cheap bus tickets from Sofia to Plovdiv, make sure you book way in advance. The ticket prices do vary slightly, but if you book in advance you can secure special early bird deals. Avoid peak tourist times if you want to get cheap tickets, but if you are looking for the best months to visit, the weather is best from June – August when you can visit the coastal regions and explore in warm weather. Omio will have a coach schedule available up to 2 months in advance and if you are looking for the best deals or a route that suits you better, set some special alerts on the coach schedule so you can book the perfect journey. Omio gives you the flexibility of displaying journeys in advance with exact details doing all the work for you, so use it wisely.

To Plovdiv by bus — travel tips

Plovdiv is a unique tourist destination brimming with history, ancient ruins and an eclectic mix of culture and architecture, old and new. Visiting the Old Town will pull you back in a time machine and the exquisite house museums on every corner will bedazzle your love of history and antiquity. The city of Plovdiv is said to be not only the oldest European city, but also possibly the oldest in the world. A visit to Plovdiv is not complete without a visit to the Roman Theatre, the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. Another not to miss tourist attractions in Plovdiv are the Boris Hristov City Hall of Culture where you can dive into the marvels of the Bulgarian past. Take in an arts show at one of the historic theatres or the state puppet theatre. With an array of religious temples, museums and exploring the Roman Road, your tour itinerary will be bursting at the cultural seams! A must do is to try the traditional Bulgarian foods like the world-renowned Shopinska Salad. The Bulgarian beer is world famous so take a visit to the Kapana neighbourhoods to sample rich dark craft beers at one of the many microbreweries in town. Your trip is not complete without a wine tour and visit to the Bachkovo Monastery founded in 1083. Bulgaria has a fortune of travel culture to soak up. If you are a history buff and want to do your research on world famous archaeological sites, then compare your findings on the Omio travel guide TheWindowSeat.

The best things to do in Plovdiv:

Visit Trakart Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv.
• Take in the colourful singing fountains.
• Watch the sunset from Nebet Tepe, Roman ruins.
• Taste the famous Gelato – Ice cream and explore the cobbled streets on foot.
• Visit the famous monument of Alyosha, a concrete statue of a Soviet soldier on Bunarjik Hill

Plovdiv: Roman Theatre Philippopolis. Source: Shutterstock

What are the other cities you can go from Plovdiv?

Bulgaria, being the ancient country it is, has many historical sites and cities to visit. Why not map out an itinerary of your must to do and check the Omio bus schedules to see where you next adventure lies? Only an hour away, the tiny town of Assenovgrad has a multitude of museums and beautiful over locations to explore. For example, hike to the beautiful Bachkovo Monastery. Koprivshtitsa is a wonderfully kept with house museums and restaurants with traditional Bulgarian foods to savour. A must visit if you are into historical locations is a visit to Stara Zagora, a region mostly run by the Regional Museum of History. There are not always coach journeys available so it is essential that you explore the region and your must visit destinations to make sure you can get there easily. Omio has all the close city options for you to explore and find suitable means of transport for your journey. Put your departure destination into the coach schedule and a list of possible destinations will come uo you can scroll to and explore. For example Enjoy the ride.