Transfer from Sofia to Velingrad

Velingrad is a spa town in the western Rhodopes, and Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism ranks it first in the country for the abundance and variety of its mineral waters. It also has Kleptuza, the largest karst spring in Bulgaria, in a park with two lakes in the Chepino quarter. From Sofia it is about 135 km and 1 hour 55 minutes by car.

Buses to Velingrad do not leave from Sofia Central Bus Station but from Sofia South bus station (Avtogara Sofia Yug), at 23 Dragan Tsankov Boulevard. Its timetable lists two departures from Monday to Friday, at 09:30 and 16:30, and one at 16:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with the carrier Chepino Avtotransport. The station's site gives no fare and no date, so check the times with the station before you go. For a couple travelling light, it is the simple way.

The train gets there, slowly. There is no direct train: on 4 and 5 November 2026 every BDZ connection changes twice, once in Sofia, at Iskar or Poduyane, and again at Septemvri, onto the narrow gauge railway that climbs to Velingrad. The fastest leaves Sofia at 06:23 and arrives at 10:18, 3 hours 55 minutes, and a regular second class ticket costs €5.27 to €5.32. Trains reach Velingrad at 10:18, 14:12, 17:15 and 20:47 (checked on 1 November 2026).

The last stretch is the narrow gauge line from Septemvri to Dobrinishte, which runs through Velingrad and on to Bansko; BDZ calls it the highest railway line in the Balkans. It is a beautiful, slow ride for a day out, and the morning train from Septemvri at 08:55 has a buffet car. For a couple travelling light who enjoy trains, it is the cheap and scenic way in. With suitcases, a pushchair or children, the two changes are the hard part, and the transfer takes you from your door to the hotel's.

The transfer costs €106 per car, not per person, for up to 4 passengers and 2 suitcases; with more luggage, book the large van, up to 8 passengers and 8 suitcases. Landing in Sofia? Choose Sofia Airport as the pickup when you book, and the fare for it is shown before you pay; give your flight number, and the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Child seats can be requested when booking, with each child's age and height. You pay 20% online by card and the rest in cash to the driver at the end of the ride; bring the exact amount, as drivers need not give change. Cancellation is free 3 days or more before the ride.