Sofia car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Sofia
The best car rental companies in Sofia are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from BGN 35/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
โ Free cancellation optionsโ No booking feeโ Full-to-full suppliersโ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Sofia
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editorโs pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 39/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 41/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 37/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 39/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 390Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromBGN 33/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 43/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromBGN 35/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 490Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 45/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Sofia Car Rent
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from BGN 290Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromBGN 29/day
base rate
View Sofia Car Rent deal
Prices are indicative market estimates ยท Last checked 2026-07-22 ยท 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Sofia
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | BGN 35 | Dacia Sandero | 4 |
| Compact | BGN 45 | ล koda Fabia | 4 |
| SUV | BGN 71 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | BGN 102 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | BGN 147 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Sofia
Airport โ Sofia Airport (SOF)
Sofia Airport sits about 10km east of the city center, with rental desks in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall and a quick drive in on Tsarigradsko Shose.
Downtown โ Sofia city center (Vitosha Boulevard area)
Downtown desks near Vitosha Boulevard suit travelers who arrive by train or bus and want a car mainly for day trips to Rila Monastery or Plovdiv.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | SOF airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21โ24) | 20โ39 BGN/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | 10โ16 BGN/day | Per extra driver |
| Electronic vignette (e-vignette) | ~17 BGN (weekly) | Any driving on Bulgarian motorways and expressways โ check if pre-fitted at pickup |
| Cross-border drive fee | often requires prior approval | Driving into Greece, North Macedonia, or Serbia |
| Refundable deposit | 290โ690 BGN | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Sofia
- Sofia Airport (SOF) is about 10km from downtown, a short drive along Tsarigradsko Shose with rental desks in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall.
- Bulgaria requires an electronic vignette (e-vignette) for all motorways and expressways โ the sticker system was replaced by a digital, license-plate-linked system, so always confirm coverage at pickup.
- Sofia sits at the foot of Mount Vitosha, a nature park reachable in about 30 minutes, popular for hiking and winter skiing right at the edge of the capital.
- The historic town of Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, is about 1.5 hours away by car.
- The Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous UNESCO site, is a popular day trip roughly 2 hours south of Sofia.
- Sofia prices on carrental-nearme are displayed in BGN, the local currency.
- Road quality varies outside the capital, and winter driving conditions in the surrounding mountains can require snow tires or chains from November through March.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Sofia
Do you need a car in Sofia?
Not for the compact city center, which is walkable and served by metro. A car becomes useful for reaching Mount Vitosha, Plovdiv, or the Rila Monastery.
How far is Sofia Airport from the city center?
About 10km, roughly a 20-minute drive along Tsarigradsko Shose, with rental desks in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Bulgaria?
Yes, an electronic vignette is required for all motorways and expressways. It's a digital, license-plate-linked system โ confirm with your rental company whether it's already covered.
What currency are prices shown in for Sofia?
Prices are shown in BGN, the local currency.
Can I drive from Sofia to Plovdiv?
Yes, Plovdiv is about 1.5 hours away via the Trakia motorway, a popular day trip to see one of Europe's oldest cities.
Is Rila Monastery reachable by car from Sofia?
Yes, it's roughly a 2-hour drive south of Sofia and one of the most popular day trips from the capital.
What is the cheapest car type in Sofia?
Economy cars like a Dacia Sandero start around 35 BGN/day, among the lowest rates in Europe. An SUV for mountain roads starts around 71 BGN/day.
Nearby trips
