Bulgaria car rentals
Car rental directory
Top Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Bulgaria
51 Locations
CarRent Bulgaria car rental locations in Bulgaria
21 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in Bulgaria
15 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in Bulgaria
14 Locations
Autounion Car Rental car rental locations in Bulgaria
11 Locations
Yes Rent A Car car rental locations in Bulgaria
11 Locations
ADDCAR RENTAL car rental locations in Bulgaria
10 Locations
Car 1 car rental locations in Bulgaria
10 Locations
Low Cost Cars car rental locations in Bulgaria
10 Locations
AcaRent car rental locations in Bulgaria
9 Locations
Budget car rental locations in Bulgaria
9 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in Bulgaria
9 Locations
Top tips for renting a car in Bulgaria
- Getting around Bulgaria via public transport can be more difficult and limiting than renting a car, due to the lack of an accessible, centralized system; plus, they use a Cyrillic alphabet. Many private companies operate long-distance buses, while towns and cities have their own bus systems that often operate older vehicles on routes that aren’t always accessible without asking a local for help. Transfers are common even between short distances.
- A car can get you from A to B, but you may want to rent a 4x4 if you plan to explore the mountainous regions. Bulgaria can experience heavy snowfall in the winter, so make sure to equip your vehicle with tire chains if you plan to visit any of the more mountainous regions in the winter months.
- There are numerous safety items that you’ll be legally required to have in your car while driving in Bulgaria. You’ll need a fire extinguisher, a reflective jacket, a first-aid kit and a hazard triangle in order to legally drive in the country. When you rent a car in Bulgaria, all of these things should be included with the rental, but taking a quick look to make sure everything is there can potentially get you out of a ticket.
- If you’re planning on crossing the border into neighboring countries like Macedonia, Serbia, Romania or Greece, you’ll need to obtain permission from your rental car agency first. The proper insurance and a "green card" that shows proof of insurance are essential for crossing the borders into neighboring countries successfully. As with crossing any border, make sure you have your passport/visa, your ID and your rental car papers on hand.
FAQs about renting a car in Bulgaria
Intermediate (Class Intermediate Wagon or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Bulgaria.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Driving in Bulgaria depends on where you are in the country. The driving conditions can vary widely from metropolitan cities like Sofia or Varna to the rural areas. Sudden lane changes and drivers overtaking you on the shoulder are a couple of the things to keep an eye out for.
To rent a car in Bulgaria, you must be over the age of 21. However, as in the US, travelers under the age of 25 who plan on renting a car will often be subjected to additional surcharges. If you’re a new driver, then take note that your license must have been valid for at least one year to rent a car in Bulgaria.
Make sure to budget appropriately for petrol when renting a vehicle in Bulgaria, as the petrol prices are almost twice what they are in the United States. The average price of petrol in the US sits at around 4.3 BGN (2.50 USD) per gallon, while a gallon of fuel in Bulgaria will cost you closer to the equivalent of around 8.5 BGN (4.85 USD).
Speed limits in Bulgaria are unique in that they are different for cars, buses and motorcycles. For cars, the speed limit in towns is 50 km/h (31 mph), the speed limit outside of town limits is 90 km/h (56 mph), the speed limit on expressways is 120 km/h (75 mph) and the speed limit on motorways is 140 km/h (87 mph).