- Recommended
National Museum Šabac
A regional museum in nearby Šabac with archaeology, history, and ethnography collections that add context to visiting Varna.
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Sofia to Varna
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£15
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£16
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
7 h 31 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
10 h 27 m
Trains on 05 Sept
4
Distance
368 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Sofia to Varna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sofia to Varna will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £15.
Fast trains
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 4 trains from Sofia to Varna, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 368 km distance in an average of 10 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 31 m .
The slowest trains will take 19 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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7:157h35Sofia14:50Varna£151One-way0 changes- 10:217h31Sofia17:52Varna£151One-way0 changes
- 13:207h35Sofia20:55Varna£151One-way0 changes
- 17:0519h05Sofia12:10Varna£161One-way1 change
- 10:217h31Sofia17:52Varna£151One-way0 changes
- 7:157h35Sofia14:50Varna£151One-way0 changes
- 13:207h35Sofia20:55Varna£151One-way0 changes
- 17:0519h05Sofia12:10Varna£161One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Sofia to Varna
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Sofia to Varna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £16 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 24m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £16, while a flight costs an average of £111.
Distance: 368 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£16 Average Price Cheapest | £111 Average Price | £17 Average Price | £80 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 34m Average total duration 10h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 24m Average total duration Fastest 4h 24m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 0m Average total duration 7h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Sofia to Varna is a train with an average price of £16.
This is compared to other travel options from Sofia to Varna:
A train is £1 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Sofia to Varna costing on average £17.
A train is £96 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Sofia to Varna costing on average £111.
The fastest way to travel from Sofia to Varna is by flight with an average journey time of 4h 24m.
Other travel options to Varna take longer:
Coach takes on average 7h 30m.
Train takes on average 10h 4m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Sofia and Varna including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.
Tickets start at around £16 compared to roughly £80 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £65. The journey takes 10h 4m versus 5h 13m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Sofia to Varna train times
The table below shows live departures for Sofia to Varna trains for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Sofia | 7h35 | 20:55 Varna | 0 changesdirect | |
| 17:05 Sofia | 19h05 | 12:10 Varna | 1 change | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
| 7:15 Sofia | 7h35 | 14:50 Varna | 0 changesdirect | |
| 10:21 Sofia | 7h31 | 17:52 Varna | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Sofia to Varna by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Sat
05 Sept
05 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
08 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
10 Sept
Sun
13 Sept
13 Sept
Tue
15 Sept
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept
17 Sept
Journey information
Overview: Train from Sofia to Varna
Bulgaria
Serbia
Trains from Sofia to Varna run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:15, the last at 17:05. The fastest train covers the 368 km distance in 7h 31m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 368 km |
Average train duration 10h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 7h 31m |
First train 7:15 |
Last train 17:05 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Train companies: Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) from Sofia to Varna trainsBulgarian Railways (BDZh) trains will get you between Sofia and Varna from £15. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) Duration
7h 31m
Cheapest Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) Price
£15
Bulgarian Railways (BDZh) frequency
3 a day
Complete guide to Varna
Things to do in Varna
Discover the best of Varna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varna trip today.
Gallery of the Cultural Centre Šabac
An art gallery in Šabac presenting Serbian painting and temporary exhibitions in a central cultural venue.
Museum of Mačva Bogatić
A local museum collection in Bogatić focused on Mačva heritage, traditional life, and regional history.
- Recommended
Varna Village Centre
The village centre is the best place for a short walk, local orientation, and a feel for everyday life in Varna.
Varna Village Outskirts
A peaceful rural walking area with open views of fields and traditional homes around the village outskirts.
Varna Park
A local green space for a relaxed stop, often used by residents for short walks and informal gatherings.
- Vegetarian
Burek sa sirom
A layered pie of thin pastry with cheese, eggs and yoghurt. A staple across southern Serbia, valued for its rich filling and crisp baked top.
Ćevapi
Grilled minced meat sausages, usually served with onions and flatbread. A classic Serbian comfort food found in kafanas and rostilj shops.
- Gluten-free
Pljeskavica
A large grilled patty of minced beef and pork, often stuffed with cheese or kajmak. Popular in southern Serbia for hearty, smoky flavour.
Bulgarian lev (лв.)
Varna is budget-friendly for beach breaks, with lower hotel, dining and local transport costs than many European seaside cities.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- 20-35 лв. for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- 35-70 лв. per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- 80+ лв. per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- 3-6 лв. for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tipping is customary but modest. Leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service, round up in cafés, and round up taxi fares if helpful.
FAQs: Sofia to Varna train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sofia to Varna by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Varna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Sofia to Varna can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £15, while the average price tends to be around £16.
The train journey from Sofia to Varna covers a distance of 368 km and takes approximately 7h 31m. Trains run 3 per day.
The train distance from Sofia to Varna is 368 km.
The first train from Sofia to Varna leaves at 7:15.
The last train from Sofia to Varna departs at 17:05.
Trains from Sofia to Varna run approximately 3 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Sofia to Varna.
Yes, there is a direct train between Sofia and Varna. The service operates 3 times per day, provided by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh).
To get from Sofia to Varna, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Sofia to Varna.
The cheapest way to get from Sofia to Varna is by train, costing approximately £15.
Booking trains from Sofia to Varna in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Sofia to Varna offers a scenic experience, showcasing Bulgaria's diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages.
A day trip from Sofia to Varna is not feasible as the journey takes 7h 31m. Trains run 5 times per day over a distance of 368 km.
Typically, spending 2 to 3 days in Varna allows you to explore the main attractions such as the Sea Garden, Varna Archaeological Museum, and nearby beaches, while also enjoying the local culture and cuisine.
Yes, you can take the train from Sofia to Varna.
More options for your journey from Sofia to Varna
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Varna and Sofia
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