While most European countries suffered various levels of identity crisis over the centuries, Bulgaria was the only country to remain true to its given name. After 500 years of living by Turkish rules, Bulgaria sought independence and opened its arms to a new culture filled with artists, writers and musicians. First time visitors booking flights to Bulgaria can be confident that Bulgaria is rich in more than its natural landscape. As the newest member of the European Union (joined January 2007), Bulgaria is part of an ever-growing community of countries focused on powerful and peaceful personal relationships. 

Board a flight to Bulgaria for the same reasons you would travel to any other European country – get out and explore the scenery. Bulgaria sits along the Black Sea and most visitors book Bulgaria flights for a respite along the beach during the hot summer months. If the sun gets to be too much, take a trip through the tiny Bulgarian villages and immerse yourself in the red poppy-lined roads that seem to travel back in time. When your flight to Bulgaria arrives, you’ll learn that men and women still hold their ancient lifestyles sacred and thrive in their small communities, operated by rickshaws and street markets. A cheap flight to Bulgaria might be your way into the country, but visitors never forget the plentiful lifestyle Bulgaria enjoys. 

Book a flight to Bulgaria for a surprisingly enlightening trip.

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Bulgaria Climate

As one of the countries located on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is subject to hot, dry summers similar to other countries along the Black Sea. The presence of the Balkan Mountains in northern Bulgaria affects the climate of the whole country, resulting in four distinct seasons that’ll make for a perfect visit regardless of when you book your flight to Bulgaria. Winters, especially in the mountainous regions, tend to be cold and snowy; summers along the coast can reach a scorching 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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When to Fly to Bulgaria

Peak season:

With summers as sultry as those on the Mediterranean shores, Bulgaria is a hot spot in the summertime, which means finding Bulgaria cheap flights may not be easy. The same goes for the holiday season and the early winter months, when skiers and winter sports enthusiasts are booking cheap flights to Bulgaria to take advantage of the popular ski resorts of the Balkan Mountains. 

Off-Peak Season: 

The best time to find cheap flights to Bulgaria is during the spring or fall, when the sun comes back out or when the summer begins to cool down. If you’re set on the Bulgarian seashore, consider booking Bulgaria cheap flights to the coast in the off-season, when normal rates are discounted due to the colder and stormier time of year.

Find cheap flights to Bulgaria

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Getting Around Bulgaria

Planes, trains, and automobiles: They’re all available and commonly used by locals and visitors alike when it comes to travel in Bulgaria. If you’re ready to hit the ground running once your cheap flight to Bulgaria touches down, trams, trolleys, and well-connected bus systems are prevalent in all of Bulgaria’s major cities. Taxis are readily available as well, though the most favored form of transport by Bulgaria’s local population is taking advantage of the reliable bus systems which also run to Bulgaria’s major airports.

Bulgaria Air flies between the main destinations of Sofia, Varna and Bourgas.

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Sofia (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Bulgaria.
 AirRoadRail
Varna1.006.308.00
Bourgas1.005.307.00
Plovdiv0.402.002.00
Pamporovo-3.00-

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Bulgaria Insider Information

  • Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital and most likely where your Bulgaria flight will land, is still filled with ancient ruins and historical sites that prove Sofia’s standing as one of Europe’s oldest capitals. If you’re only going to be in Sofia for short time before continuing onto other destinations in Bulgaria, be sure to stop by the National Ethnographic Museum. For those of you who didn’t spend your flight to Bulgaria reading up on the traditions and history of the Balkan Peninsula, the vast collection of art, jewelry, national costumes and musical instruments from the region is an astounding presentation of Bulgaria’s culture and history.
  • When booking accommodations, including Sofia hotels, hotels in Varna and Plovdiv hotels, be aware that some of the older hotels, though advertised as offering cheaper fares, often charge “foreigner rates.” These rates are for non-Bulgarian nationals, which can sometimes result in double the standard room rate.
  • Cyrillic, the family of alphabets utilized by most Slavic languages, has its roots in the Bulgarian Empire. Though many street signs and tourist offices will have subtitles in Western characters or offer materials in English, Cyrillic becomes much more prominent as you get farther outside the major cities. Throw a Bulgarian/English dictionary in your carry-on, and spend an hour on your flight to Bulgaria browsing through important key terms so that you’ll have a better chance of recognizing Cyrillic characters should you find yourself lost in translation.
  • While visiting Varna, Shabla, and the other resort towns along the Black Sea, consider renting a car to fully explore the gorgeous beaches and comb the sand for the sunniest spot. When you were fantasizing about surf and sand on your cheap flight to Bulgaria, we’re sure you weren’t picturing the crowds of your fellow vacationers. An impromptu road trip could introduce you to remote, untouched beaches that remain the best kept local secrets.

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Bulgaria Airports

Sofia (SOF): Sofia Airport is easily accessible by city bus and the Central Railway Station, and it’s common for hotels to offer shuttle busses to and from the airport. Sofia Airport is just 6 miles from the city center.

Varna (VAR): Busses are available in front of Terminal 1 or the VIP Hall depending on whether or not you’re traveling from Varna or traveling to Varna and the sea resorts. The busses and shuttles are cheap, seeing as the Varna Airport is within 6 miles of the city center.

Burgas (BOJ): Several resorts are located within 20 miles of the Burgas Airport, and there are busses and taxis available to assist in your travel plans to Burgas and other destinations in eastern Bulgaria. /p>

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Passport/Visa

Visitors must have proof of sufficient funds or onward or return tickets in addition to other documents needed for the next destination. Valid health insurance is required. All visitors to Bulgaria must register as foreigners at a local police station within five days of arrival. This registration is usually done as a matter of course through the hotel or accommodation establishment. Visitors are advised to check this, as a dated registration slip has to be submitted when leaving the country. Immigration and entry regulations are very strictly enforced. From January 2006 all children entering Bulgaria are required to have their own passport. Passports of all visitors should be valid for at least six months on entry for those requiring a visa, and three months on entry for visa exempt nationals other than those from EU countries, whose passports must be valid for period of stay.

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Entry Requirements

Americans don’t need a visa to enter Bulgaria if their visit is inside of 30 days, but a passport is required for U.S. Citizens and it needs to be valid for at least three months after entry.

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In-flight Reading

A Concise History of Bulgaria

R. J. CramptonGood introduction to the country’s history.

Balkan Ghosts, A Journey Through History

Robert D. KaplanKaplan writes about his own travels in the Balkans, combined with an examination of its political and social history.

Buying a Property in Bulgaria

Jonathan WhiteBulgaria has recently become a very popular destination for second houses. If you want in on the boom, this book has all the information you need.

Romanian, Bulgarian and Balkan: 70 Traditional Dishes from the Heart of Eastern Europe

Lesley ChamberlainAll about Eastern European food, with recipes to help you recreate the best dishes.

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Contributors to this guide: Word Travels, World Airport Guide, Cheapflights

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Wordtravels.com

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