How to find cheap flights to Bulgaria
Score a better price on a flight to Bulgaria by taking off from New York John F. Kennedy, often the most affordable departure option.
Then touch down at Sofia to bring your fare down even more.
Keep the month of September free. It's often the cheapest time to visit Bulgaria.
For a round trip, the best price right now is $565. One-way fares start from $272.
Fine with landing anywhere if it means paying less? Add your departure point, enter 'Bulgaria' in the 'To' field and discover which cities show up as the cheapest options.
Alternatively, select 'Add nearby airports' at the start of your search if you already know your destination city. This will display flight prices for nearby arrival airports so you can quickly find the best deal.
Never miss out on a deal by setting a Price Alert. We'll stay on top of it for you, sending updates when fares go down.
The general recommendation is to book around one month before your planned departure. You're more likely to get the best price on tickets then.
The best time to go to Bulgaria
To find the month with the cheapest flights, use the 'Whole month' tool. If you're flexible with your dates, search for the green prices on the calendar — they show you the lowest fares available that month.
Plan your trip for July if you want to be there when it's busy. This is the most popular month for flights, but also when fares are likely to cost more.
December is the quietest time of year to travel if you want a slower pace. You'll generally find cheaper prices on plane tickets to Bulgaria then.
Pick the season that matches how you like to travel, whether that's cooler, hotter or somewhere in between. August is one of the warmest months in Bulgaria, with a maximum average temperature of 82ºF.
January brings cooler conditions, with low average temperatures of 28ºF.
Rain is more frequent in May, while November is usually drier.
When deciding on your dates, also factor in peak winter snowfall and periods of heavy rain. Weather risks can differ by region, so check what applies to the areas you're visiting.
Getting to Bulgaria
You've got a solid choice of arrival airports when you book flights to Bulgaria, including the following:
Sofia Airport (SOF) in Sofia
Varna Airport (VAR) in Varna
Burgas Airport (BOJ) in Burgas
These airlines are the biggest players landing at this destination, based on rough monthly flight figures:
Ryanair — 810
Wizz Air — 800
Bulgaria Air — 270
Istanbul, London and Vienna are among the major hubs used as stopover points on flights to Bulgaria. Stops vary by route, so make sure you check the connection details for your departure city.
Places to visit in Bulgaria
Sofia
This city with a population of roughly 1.2 million belongs at the top of the list of must-visit places.
Cathedral of the Dormition, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church and Saint Nedelya Orthodox Cathedral are major stops on any trip.
Sofia Airport (SOF) handles the majority of international flights into Sofia. You'll find some excellent flight deals to Bulgaria landing at this major hub.
When it's time to find a place to rest your head, check out the range of hotels in Sofia.
Varna
This Varna Province city of around 310,000 has a charm all of its own.
Museum of Natural History, Sea Garden and Opera Varna are the perfect introduction to the highlights.
Varna Airport (VAR) is the main airport serving the city.
Explore hotels in Varna and find a stay that suits your plans.
Burgas
Located in Burgas Province and with a population of about 200,000, this city also proves itself as one of the most interesting places to visit in Bulgaria.
Don't go home without exploring top sights like The Sea Garden, St. Anastasia Isle and City Park Opera Burgas.
You can arrive in the city through its main airport, Burgas Airport (BOJ).
Find a deal on where you'll stay by checking out the list of hotels in Burgas.
Good to know
Entry rules can often change, so check in advance whether you'll need a visa or any other documents before you travel. Your travel agent, airline or the local consulate or embassy will have the latest details.
The local currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN). You can get by comfortably using credit and debit cards just about everywhere.
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are common in cities large and small, so finding one is unlikely to be an issue.
Tipping is expected in Bulgaria. People usually match the tip to the service, and adding one is simply part of how things work here.
Wi-Fi coverage is high, with most cafes, hotels and restaurants delivering reliable access.
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria, which has a population of around 6.7 million.
Time is consistent across this destination, with only one standard time zone set at UTC+2.
Bulgaria is part of the Eastern Europe subregion of Europe.
Baba Marta Day, the Sofia International Film Festival and Bulgarian Day of Liberation are some of the biggest events here. Consider booking your flight to Bulgaria around moments like these for a trip that goes beyond the expected.
Complete your trip with hotels and a car rental
With your cheap ticket to Bulgaria locked in, it's time to plan what comes next. Discover competitive prices and exclusive rates for hotels in Bulgaria. You can also check out car rental options in Bulgaria and compare offers from trusted providers in seconds.
