Car rental in Bulgaria

Public transportation in Bulgaria doesn't always provide access to the scenic corners that make the country so attractive for tourism. This is precisely why car rental in Bulgaria becomes a practical solution if you want to cover golden Black Sea beaches, authentic mountain villages, ancient fortresses, and nature parks in one trip.

With your own vehicle, you're not dependent on bus schedules and routes. You can plan your itinerary according to your interests without worrying about high taxi fares with stops and waiting times. In a single day, you can combine a stroll through historic Plovdiv, visit the Valley of Roses, and return to the sea. Moreover, many interesting attractions, such as Trigrad Canyon or Asen's Fortress, are accessible only by car.

Where to Rent a Car in Bulgaria: Localrent Service Advantages

The Localrent service offers numerous benefits, including:

1. Transparent pricing without hidden fees — the final amount is known upfront.
2. Dedicated customer support to help resolve rental questions.
3. Small deposit, often up to 300 euros, with flexible deposit payment methods.
4. Wide vehicle selection, from budget models to luxury convertibles and 9-seat minivans.
5. One-way rental option — pick up in one city and return in another.

With Localrent, car rental becomes part of the adventure, not a headache. You pay only for the selected vehicle and necessary options, avoiding imposed services, while transparent contract terms eliminate surprises.

Requirements for Car Rental in Bulgaria: Documents and Conditions

To arrange car rental in Bulgaria, you'll need:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license with Latin transliteration. Electronic copies and licenses without Latin transliteration are not accepted.
• Credit card (if required for deposit) must be issued in the main driver's name.

Minimum age and driving experience requirements depend on the selected vehicle. Basic requirements start from 20 years old with 2 years of driving experience, but vehicle selection is limited under these conditions. Optimal selection is available for drivers aged 23 and above with 3 or more years of experience. Specific requirements are listed in each vehicle description.

Car hire prices in Bulgaria

The average cost of a one-day car rental. The number is calculated based on the bookings of the previous three years. It takes into account the rental of cars across all classes.

Traffic Rules and Driving Specifics in Bulgaria

Before traveling, study local traffic nuances to avoid fines and stress.

Basic Rules:

• Right-hand traffic, as in most European countries.
• Right turn on red light is prohibited unless there's a special sign.
• At roundabouts, priority goes to vehicles already on the circle. Be careful — local drivers often enter circles abruptly.
• Priority at intersections goes to traffic from the right, but this rule isn't always followed in practice.

Speed Limits:

• In cities — 50 km/h
• On country roads — 90 km/h
• Highways — up to 140 km/h

Watch for signs as limits may change. Highways frequently have cameras, especially when entering populated areas. Headlights must be on at all times, even during the day.

Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Passengers under 12 cannot sit in the front seat, and children under 135 cm must be transported in car seats or boosters.

Winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to March 1, and chains may be required in mountains. If renting a car in Bulgaria during this period, always add the "winter package" to your order.

Main highways, such as Sofia–Plovdiv or Sofia–Varna, are in good condition. However, rural roads are often narrow, with potholes or no lighting. Livestock grazing is possible in villages — reduce speed and be especially careful. Mountain serpentines often feature sharp turns, steep elevation changes, and ice in winter.

For travel on national roads, you need a traditional or electronic vignette. Rental cars often already have one, but always confirm this detail when picking up the vehicle. If there's no vignette, you can buy one at a gas station.

Parking in Bulgaria

Paid parking exists in major cities like Sofia, Varna, Burgas, and resort areas. Rules are set by local authorities, so conditions and rates may vary. Cities with paid parking have 2 zone types:

• Blue Zone — usually the city center. In Sofia, payment is required even on weekends; in other cities, typically only on weekdays. Some cities have maximum parking duration limits.
• Green Zone — peripheral areas. Operating hours depend on the city; for example, in Burgas, it operates only during tourist season from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Times when parking is paid and rates are always indicated on signs. You can pay for parking in Bulgaria in 3 ways:

• By SMS, but requires a Bulgarian SIM card. Send a message with your car number to the number indicated on the information board — 1 SMS = 1 hour of parking.
• Parking meters — accept cards and coins. Place the ticket under the windshield.
• Paper tickets — buy from parking attendants or kiosks. Indicate the start time and place visibly under the windshield.

Major cities also have covered parking garages and street parking lots. Where parking isn't prohibited and there are no paid parking signs, you can leave your car for free.

Gas Stations in Bulgaria

Gas stations are easily found on main highways and city entrances — they're located every 30–40 km. However, in remote areas, stations are less frequent, so it's better to refuel at every opportunity.

Popular stations like Shell, OMV, Eko, Lukoil, and BP operate 24/7, are often found on highways, and are equipped with shops, cafés, and restrooms. In remote areas, prefer these brands to avoid fuel quality issues.

Most stations accept cards, but in small towns, keep Bulgarian leva cash on hand. Note that in rural areas, gas stations rarely operate 24/7 and may close between 8-11 pm.

How to Book a Car in Bulgaria

The car rental process in Bulgaria is simple when following a clear algorithm:

1. Specify rental dates, pickup and return city.
2. Set filters — choose car class, transmission type, payment and deposit method, brand, and other criteria.
3. Select a vehicle, check the requirements for driver age and experience in the card; deposit size and payment methods; insurance type.
4. Add necessary options in the car card — child seat, additional driver, winter package.
5. Specify pickup/return location and time. Enter main driver details, phone number, and email for contact.
6. Pay 15–20% advance, the remainder is paid when picking up the car. After payment, you'll receive a voucher by email — save it as you'll need it when collecting the vehicle.

When picking up the car, check the body and interior for damage — all scratches should be noted in the report. Confirm fuel type and level at handover. Sign the contract, pay the remaining amount, and enjoy your journey through Bulgaria.

What to See in Bulgaria by Car

Road trips through Bulgaria allow you to combine mountain landscapes, ancient monuments, and seaside resorts in one itinerary. Paved roads lead to the country's most scenic spots — you just need to choose your direction. Here's what we recommend seeing on your trip:

1. Rila Monastery — Bulgaria's largest Orthodox monastery, UNESCO-listed. The drive from Sofia takes 1.5 hours. Study 15th-century frescoes, visit the museum with church artifacts, and walk through surrounding coniferous forests.
2. Tsarevets Fortress — Medieval citadel on a hill with panoramic city views. Climb to the royal palace and bell tower church. Stay until evening — lighting is activated at dusk.
3. Cape Kaliakra — Narrow rocky cape in the Black Sea with lighthouse and fortress ruins. Legends say treasures are hidden here. The drive from Varna takes 50 minutes.
4. Valley of Roses in Kazanlak — From late May to June, fields are covered with a pink carpet. Visit the Rose Museum to learn about oil production and see the Thracian Tomb with ancient frescoes.
5. Plovdiv — Stroll through cobblestone streets where a Roman amphitheater neighbors houses from the Bulgarian Revival period. Convenient parking is available for tourists at the old town entrance.

By car, you can cover mountain monasteries, Black Sea capes, and blooming valleys in one trip. Just remember to follow traffic rules.

How to Collect Your Rental Car

Rental companies offer several vehicle pickup options. Pickup locations depend on the specific rental company's conditions — their list is always indicated in the vehicle card when booking.

Main Locations:

• Airport — convenient if flying into Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv, or Burgas.
• Company office — usually located in the city center or tourist area.
• Address delivery — you can book a car with delivery to hotel, apartment, or other location.

Airport or address delivery may be paid — different cars have different conditions. Sometimes there's also a surcharge for vehicle pickup outside business hours.

Tips for Car Rental in Bulgaria

Car travel in Bulgaria requires considering local nuances. Here are several recommendations to help avoid typical mistakes.

Consider Season and Region

In mountain areas from November 1 to March 1, winter tires are mandatory, and chains may be required on some sections. Even if traveling to Sofia, check the forecast: sudden snowfall can block roads, so add the "winter package" option to your order. In summer, book cars in advance in coastal areas — demand is higher and prices increase.

Don't Ignore Vignettes

Electronic or traditional vignettes are required for national highway travel. Rental cars often already have them, but always confirm this when picking up. If there's no vignette, buy one at a gas station immediately after collecting your car. Fines for absence are quite large, and cameras automatically detect violators.

Be Careful with Parking in Old Towns

In Plovdiv, Nessebar, or Veliko Tarnovo, streets are narrow with few parking spaces. Even if navigation shows a route through the old town, look for a bypass. It's better to leave your car at a paid parking lot at the pedestrian zone entrance.

Bulgaria is ideal for car travel: distances between interesting places are small, and main roads are quite good. Follow local rules, choose proven services like Localrent — and every trip becomes not just transportation, but part of your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Bulgaria