Varna to Sofia: night train, bus or plane? Times and prices 2026
Varna to Sofia: fly in 50 min with Bulgaria Air, take a bus (6¼–8 h, from €21) or the ICF 2626 sleeper train (21:40 → 05:45, from €14.67). As of Oct 2026.
The quickest way from Varna to Sofia is a 50-minute Bulgaria Air flight; the cheapest comfortable option is the ICF 2626 night train (21:40 → 05:45, from €14.67 plus a berth); and the most frequent is the bus, with about 15 departures a day taking 6¼–8 hours for around €21. Times and fares checked on operator websites on 26 October 2026; always check again before you travel.
Train, bus, plane or car: how do they compare?
| Time | Price (as of 2026-10) | Book | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane (Bulgaria Air) | about 50 min + airport time | check air.bg | air.bg |
| Night train ICF 2626 | 8 h 5 min | €14.67 (2nd) / €18.36 (1st) + €0.51 reservation, berth €7.67–10.23 | bileti.bdz.bg |
| Day train ICF 2616 | 7 h 50 min | same fares, seat only | bileti.bdz.bg |
| Bus | 6 h 15 min – 8 h 20 min | Global Biomet €21 one way, €40 return | operator websites |
| Car | about 6 h, about 440 km | fuel + e-vignette | bgtoll.bg |
Which trains run from Varna to Sofia?
The BDZ timetable for late October 2026 shows four direct trains: ICF 8650 at 08:50 (via Plovdiv, arrives 17:43), ICF 2616 at 13:50 (via Shumen and Pleven, arrives 21:40), the sleeper ICF 2626 at 21:40 (arrives 05:45) and ICF 8656 at 23:40 (via Plovdiv, arrives about 09:00). The ICF trains require a reservation, so buy your ticket in advance on bileti.bdz.bg or at Varna station. BDZ warns that repair works can change times, so check razpisanie.bdz.bg on the day.
In summer 2026 BDZ added a second night train, 3636 (Varna 21:40 → Sofia 06:07 via Sliven and Kazanlak), with a through sleeping car from Dobrich. It ran from 1 May for the summer season and does not appear in the late-October timetable.
Is the bus faster than the train?
Usually, yes. Global Biomet’s 6 h 15 min run is the quickest; Grup Plus takes 7–8 h 20 min (bus station board), and Union Ivkoni has evening departures at 18:00 and 23:30. All buses leave from Varna Central Bus Station (bul. Vladislav Varnenchik 158), most stop in Veliko Tarnovo, and they arrive at Sofia Central Bus Station, next to the railway station.
Is it worth flying?
For a short business trip or an onward international flight, yes. Bulgaria Air is the only airline on the route. In October 2026 the morning flight FB972 left at 08:30 and landed at 09:20 on most days. Add the bus or taxi to Varna Airport, about 10 km from the centre, and security time.
Should you drive?
The shortest route is about 440 km via Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo, roughly 6 hours. The Hemus (A2) motorway is only finished at the two ends (Sofia to Ugarchin and Buhovtsi near Targovishte to Varna, as of December 2025), so the middle is on ordinary roads. The route via Shumen, Karnobat and the Trakia (A1) motorway is longer (about 525 km, OSRM) but mostly motorway and about as fast. You need a Bulgarian e-vignette; prices changed on 1 August 2026, so buy it on bgtoll.bg.
How do I get into Sofia city centre?
Trains and buses arrive side by side on Maria Luiza Boulevard, about 1 km north (Wikipedia) of the centre, with the Central Railway Station metro stop (M2). From the airport, the M4 metro leaves from Terminal 2 and reaches the centre in about 20 minutes (Wikipedia); a free shuttle links Terminal 1.
Which option suits whom?
- Budget travellers and students: the night train saves a hotel night.
- Day trippers to Veliko Tarnovo: the bus; see Veliko Tarnovo from Varna.
- Business travellers: the morning flight.
- Families with luggage: the car or a 1st-class compartment.
Coming the other way? See how to get to Varna and driving to Varna.
Once you arrive, plan your days with our 2–3 day Sofia city guide.
Sources
- BDZ – timetable Varna to Sofia
- BDZ – online tickets
- Sofia Globe – BDZ adds an extra Sofia–Varna night train (29 Apr 2026)
- Varna Central Bus Station – departures to Sofia
- Global Biomet – ticket prices
- Global Biomet – timetable and stations
- Union Ivkoni – tickets
- Bulgaria Air
- Avionio – flight FB972 Varna to Sofia
- BG TOLL – Bulgarian e-vignette (official)
- Wikipedia – Hemus motorway
- Wikipedia – Sofia Airport
- Wikipedia – Sofia Central Station
- OpenStreetMap contributors (road distances via OSRM, ODbL)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a sleeper train from Varna to Sofia?
Yes. ICF 2626 leaves Varna at 21:40 and reaches Sofia at 05:45 with 1st- and 2nd-class compartments and a sleeping car (BDZ timetable, as of 2026-10). The berth costs a supplement of €7.67 or €10.23 on top of the €14.67/€18.36 fare. Book on bileti.bdz.bg.
How long is the train from Varna to Sofia?
The fastest direct day train, ICF 2616 at 13:50, takes 7 h 50 min. Other direct trains take 8 h 5 min to 9 h 20 min, and connections with a change can take up to 12 hours.
Are there flights from Varna to Sofia?
Yes, Bulgaria Air flies the route in about 50 minutes. In October 2026 flight FB972 left Varna at 08:30 on most days, with an evening flight on some weekend days. Summer schedules have more flights; check air.bg for current times and fares.
How long is the bus from Varna to Sofia?
Between 6 h 15 min and 8 h 20 min. Varna Central Bus Station listed 15 daily departures for 27 October 2026 with Global Biomet, Grup Plus and Union Ivkoni. Global Biomet charges €21 one way and €40 return.
How many km is it from Varna to Sofia?
About 440 km by road on the shortest route via Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo, or about 525 km on the mostly-motorway route via Shumen, Karnobat and the Trakia motorway (OpenStreetMap routing). The railway via Gorna Oryahovitsa is 543 km.
