Bulgaria, like other European countries, has its own network of highways and expressways. As in other countries, the use of them is payable through the vignette system introduced. The general condition of roads in Bulgaria can be described as decent. The highways are of a normal European level. However, smaller roads are well marked but their technical condition is not particularly good, although generally speaking it is not tragic.
As for motorways, currently there are almost 800 kilometers of motorways in Bulgaria, mainly focused on routes leading to and from Sofia. However, what is important, the authorities plan to further expand them so that another 700 kilometers of expressways and highways will be created, which will connect the whole country. Particularly interesting will be the route A1 and A2, which will eventually connect the capital with the Bulgarian coast.
Highways in Bulgaria
The situation today is that we have 8 highways in Bulgaria: Trakija, Hemus, Struma, Marica, Czerno more, Ljulin, Kalotina and Veliko Tarnovo – Rousse. However, only four of them are fully completed. The longest route is the 360 km Trakija highway, which has been built for over 40 years! In addition, the following roads are also completed: Marica (117 km), Ljulin (19 km) and north-tangential (16.5 km).
Ultimately, they are to connect these cities on the map:
- A1 Trakai from the border with Serbia – Sofia – Plovdiv – Stara Zagora – Burgas
- A2 Hemus Sofia – Botevgrad – Veliko Tarnovo – Shumen – Varna
- A3 Struma Pernik – Blagoevgrad – Sandanski – to the border with Greece
- A4 Marica Pyrwomaj – Haskovo – Charmanil – to the border with Turkey
- A5 Czerno more Varna – Obzor – Slanchev Bryag – Nesebar – Burgas
- A6 Ljulin Sofia – Pernik
- A7 Kalotina Sofia – Kalotina – to the border with Serbia
- planned highway connecting Veliko Tarnovo – Rousse – up to the border with Romania
Vignettes in Bulgaria
A vignette must be purchased in order to travel on highways and expressways in Bulgaria. Until recently, it was only available in the form of a sticker, but from this year it is also possible to buy a vignette online, in electronic form. Unfortunately, it is not possible to bypass highway tolls if you want to drive through Bulgaria, whether on the coast or further to other countries.
Where can you buy a vignette in Bulgaria?
After crossing the border, you must acquire a vignette as soon as possible. So it’s best to buy it simply online. This is not only a quick and convenient way, but there is also no problem with removing the vignettes from the glass. E-vignettes can be bought on the following websites: https://www.bgtoll.bg/ and https://vinetki.bg/ In addition to the internet and mobile applications, vignettes can also be bought in self-service vending machines located in places such as gas stations or at crossings border. The vignettes in the form of stickers have been discontinued from this year. However, if you have one and it is still valid, then of course you can still move on the Bulgarian highways. 2019 is a transitional time, then only e-vignettes will be available in Bulgaria.
Types of vignettes in Bulgaria
Vignettes in Bulgaria are divided according to the type or size of the vehicle. And so all passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes, carrying up to 8 people plus a driver, are the K3 vignette category. It also includes cars with trailers whose total weight does not exceed 3.5 tons. Interestingly, motorbikes move around Bulgaria without fees.
The second division of vignettes is the time one. There are vignettes to choose from:
1. weekend – valid from noon on Friday to 23.59 on Sunday
2. weekly – valid for seven consecutive days
3. monthly – valid from the moment of purchase, for a month to the day preceding the date of purchase (e.g. from June 12 to July 11, until 23.59)
4. quarterly – valid as monthly, but for three months (e.g. from May 20 to August 19, until 23.59)
5. annual – valid exactly from the date of purchase, for a year to the day preceding the date of purchase (e.g. from March 4, 2019 to March 3 2020, until 23.59)
Vignette prices in Bulgaria
Finally, we get to the point, or how much we will pay for the pleasure of traveling on the highways in Bulgaria. The case currently looks like this:
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- weekend vignette costs 10 lev (5 euro)
- weekly vignette costs 15 lev (8 euro)
- monthly vignette costs 30 lev (15 euro)
- quarterly vignette costs 54 lev (28 euro)
- annual vignette costs 97 lev (50 euro)
Until recently, vignette prices were in euro. Currently, however, the price has been returned in the currency in force in Bulgaria, i.e. in lev. When it comes to increases, the vignette prices have not changed much over the years.
Finally, a small warning, if you lack a valid vignette, the Bulgarian police will write you a fee of 300 lev.
Road tolls in Bulgaria Fees for ferry crossings and bridges in Bulgaria
In addition to purchasing vignettes, you may also be required to pay for ferry crossings across the Danube or one of the bridges on the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Depending on the route chosen, of course.
Price of the ferry crossing the Danube (Oriachowo – Beket):
- passenger car 33 lev (17 euro)
- passenger car + trailer 39 lev (20 euro)
- motorcycle 4 lev (2 euro)
- passenger 2 lev (1 euro) each
Price for crossing the New Europe Bridge (Calafat – Vidin)
- passenger cars up to 8 seats plus driver 12 lev (6 euro)
- cars / buses from 9 to 23 seats, together with the driver 23 lev (12 euro)
Price for crossing the Friendship Bridge (Giurgiu – Ruse)
- passenger cars up to 8 seats plus driver 4 lev (2 euro)
- cars / buses from 9 to 23 seats, together with the driver 23 lev (12 euro)
What else is worth knowing when traveling on the roads and highways in Bulgaria?
Toll roads in Bulgaria When it comes to traffic rules, there is a speed limit in Bulgaria:
- in built-up areas up to 50km / h
- outside built-up area up to 80km / h for cars up to 3.5 tonnes
- on highways up to 100 km / h for cars up to 3.5 tonnes
In addition, in Bulgaria you must travel in a fastened seat belt and with the dipped headlights on (from November 1 to March 1). Obligatory equipment in the car is: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vests and rubber gloves. The permissible amount of blood alcohol in Bulgaria is 0.5 per mil. The use of the telephone by the driver while driving is prohibited, except through a speakerphone. An interesting fact is that you must have a special permit to use CB-radio in Bulgaria.
As for children, they must absolutely travel in a car seat with appropriate approvals up to 3 years old. Other children under 150 cm and 36 kg in weight must also use car seats and booster seats until they are of adequate height and weight.
Documents needed to travel around Bulgaria by car:
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- driving license
- ID card / passport
- proof of registration
If the car is not yours, you will also need a notarized confirmation from the owner, translated into Bulgarian, English, German or French. In addition, the Green Card will be useful, which is not compulsory in Bulgaria. However, it is always an international proof of insurance and thanks to it you can recover compensation in the event of an accident. It is also definitely worth considering accident insurance and buying an additional health policy.
Useful emergency numbers in Bulgaria
112 – international emergency number
146 – roadside assistance
150 – ambulance
160 – fire brigade
166 – police
Check also the telephone number of your country’s embassy in Sophia.
Bon Voyage!