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 €18/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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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
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€17/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€18/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Sofia Car Rent
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €150Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€15/day
base rate
View Sofia Car Rent deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Sofia
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €18 | Dacia Sandero | 4 |
| Compact | €23 | Škoda Fabia | 4 |
| SUV | €36 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €52 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €75 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Sofia
Airport — 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 — 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 (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| Electronic vignette (e-vignette) | ~€8.60 (weekly) | Any driving on Bulgarian motorways and expressways — check if pre-fitted at pickup |
| Cross-border drive fee | often requires prior approval | Driving into Greece, North Macedonia, or Serbia |
| Refundable deposit | €150–350 | 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 — 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 EUR even though Bulgaria's local currency is the lev (BGN), so travelers can compare rates directly with the rest of Europe.
- 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 — confirm with your rental company whether it's already covered.
What currency are prices shown in for Sofia?
Prices are shown in EUR for easy comparison with the rest of Europe, even though Bulgaria's official currency is the lev (BGN).
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 €18/day, among the lowest rates in Europe. An SUV for mountain roads starts around €36/day.
Nearby trips
