Getting Around Plovdiv
Plovdiv is a compact, largely flat city centre wrapped around a set of hills, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits within a walkable core. For anything beyond that core, buses and taxis do the heavy lifting, and the city is well connected by rail and road to the rest of Bulgaria and to neighbouring countries.
On Foot
Walking is the most practical way to cover central Plovdiv. The city centre has a large pedestrian zone, so you can move between the main sights, shops and restaurants on foot without needing transport at all. The main railway station sits just south of the city centre, roughly a 10–15 minute walk away, which makes arriving or departing by train easy to manage on foot.
Be aware that the city is built around its hills, so some routes involve a climb. If your accommodation is on or near one of the hills, plan for a bit of uphill walking.
Public Transport: Buses
Buses are the main form of public transport in Plovdiv, and they are prevalent alongside taxis. Tickets are inexpensive and can be paid for in cash at the conductor on board. For route and network information, the Easyway website is the reference point to check.
Public transport is useful for reaching parts of the city outside the pedestrian core, and for connections to the bus and rail stations if you would rather not walk.
Rail
Plovdiv's railway station is just south of the city centre, within a short walk of the centre itself. It is the hub for rail travel in and out of the city.
- Sofia: There are around 15 daily trains between Plovdiv and Sofia, with journey times of roughly 2 to 4 hours. Note that the slower services may require a change.
- Istanbul: A sleeper train runs every night between Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul, taking about 7 hours.
- Edirne: A daytime service to Edirne in western Turkey was introduced in June 2019 as a permanent service, but it ran for only a single weekend before being cancelled.
If you are arriving by train, you can walk into the centre rather than arranging a transfer.
Buses and Coaches for Longer Journeys
Plovdiv has three bus stations: Yug, Sever and Rhodope. They serve destinations across Bulgaria and some beyond the country.
- Yug station: Buses to Sofia leave from here, and this is the station to use for international services. There is an ATM just outside, handy if you are arriving from abroad and need local currency.
- Rhodope station: Buses to destinations near Plovdiv run from here.
- Sever station: The third of the city's bus stations.
Both Yug and Rhodope stations are within about five minutes' walk of the main train station, so switching between bus and rail is straightforward.
For Sofia, buses run hourly and are slightly faster than the trains. International options include Turkish operators running daily services to Istanbul and Bursa, and a Eurolines service to Thessaloniki via Sofia. Tickets for some of these services can be bought on board, while others are sold from the office at the station, so it is worth checking when you arrive at the station.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are common and, when shared between a few people, can be as cheap as or cheaper than bus fares. An average ride within the city is inexpensive, and a car typically arrives within a few minutes of ordering.
The key practical advice is to order a taxi rather than take one that is already waiting:
- Order from a company offering a good deal and wait for the car to come to you.
- Taking a taxi already parked and waiting can cost considerably more — sometimes several times the normal fare. Avoid these, or agree a fixed price before getting in.
- Ask locals which companies offer the best prices, since residents use taxis regularly and know the reliable operators.
- Most taxi cars carry a four-digit number, so noting a few of these lets you request a specific car when you need one.
Ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative where available, and work on the same principle: book ahead rather than accepting a waiting car at a marked stand.
Getting In from the Airport
Plovdiv International Airport, originally called Krumovo, is served by a small number of low-cost flights. Two main options connect it to the city:
- Bus: A bus runs from the airport to the central bus station "Yug", with departures after every flight. For the return journey to the airport, you can choose between one-way and return tickets.
- Taxi: A taxi from the city centre to the airport costs around 15 лв (roughly €7.50).
Since the airport bus drops you at Yug station, you arrive within a short walk of the main railway station and the city centre — a convenient landing point whether you are continuing by train or heading into town.
Arriving by Car
If you are driving, the A1 expressway connects Plovdiv westward to Sofia and eastward all the way to Burgas on the Black Sea. Other destinations generally require two-lane roads; the most direct route to Pleven, for example, is the somewhat adventurous Troyan pass road.
Practical Summary
- Walk the centre — the pedestrian zone covers most visitor sights.
- Use buses for longer hops around the city; pay cash to the conductor.
- Order taxis rather than taking waiting ones, and ask locals for the best companies.
- Trains and buses both leave from the area just south of the centre, within walking distance of each other.
- From the airport, take the bus to Yug station after your flight, or a taxi for around 15 лв.