Arrival and Departure in Blagoevgrad – Transportation, Timetables, and Connections

Blagoevgrad is one of the most easily accessible cities in southwestern Bulgaria.

Here you will find all essential information for arriving and departing—whether by train, bus, car, or organized transfer. This page provides practical tips, orientation guides, basic timetables, the locations of the stations, and the most convenient connections from Sofia, Plovdiv, Bansko, Sandanski, Thessaloniki, and other nearby cities.

The information is compiled to give you quick answers to the most common questions: How do you get to Blagoevgrad? Where are the bus station and the train station located? Which mode of transport is the fastest and most affordable?

Traveling to and from Blagoevgrad by Train

Train Station Blagoevgrad

Address: bul. Sv. Dimitar Solunski 15, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Phone: +359 884 405 621
Opening Hours: 4:45 AM – 7:30 PM

Website: none

Toilet Facilities: There is an official toilet at the location, but it is often locked. Next to the train station is the Blagoevgrad Bus Station, where a functioning public restroom is available for a small fee.

Where is the Train Station Blagoevgrad?

Find the Train Station Blagoevgrad on Google Maps:

From the Train station to the City Center on Foot

It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Blagoevgrad Train Station to the city center. The most direct route follows Todor Aleksandrov Street, which starts at the station and becomes a pedestrian zone in its upper section, leading to the Courthouse. For a more scenic walk along the river, we recommend this alternative route.

For information on getting around Blagoevgrad by public transport or taxi, click here.

Traveling to and from Blagoevgrad by Bus

Bus Station Blagoevgrad

The bus station is located right next to the train station and is about a 15–20 minute walk from the city center of Blagoevgrad.

Blagoevgrad Bus Station
Address: Blvd. Sv. Dimitar Solunski 23, 2700 Blagoevgrad
Phone: 073 884 009, 0889 808 545

Website: none

Toilet: Available (for a fee)

Where is the Bus Station Blagoevgrad?

Find the Bus Station Blagoevgrad on Google Maps:

Sofia

By Train – To and From Sofia

Useful Information

Sofia Central Railway Station

Address: bul. “Maria Luisa” No. 102
Phone: 02 931 11 11
Website: Bulgarian State Railways (BDŽ)
Opening Hours: 04:30 – 00:30

The price for a one-way train ticket from Sofia to Blagoevgrad depends on the type of train and the ticket counter where it is purchased. Prices range between 6.50 and 10 BGN. You can find the current train timetable on the official website of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDŽ).

The train journey from Sofia to Blagoevgrad takes between 2 and 3 hours. Trains depart from Sofia Central Railway Station and arrive at Blagoevgrad Railway Station. Information on how to get from Blagoevgrad Station to the city center can be found further up on this page.

Find Sofia Central Railway Station on Google Maps:

From Sofia to Blagoevgrad by train

The train ride from Sofia to Blagoevgrad takes between 2 and 3 hours. Trains depart from Sofia Central Station and arrive in Blagoevgrad:

7:35 AM – 9:59 AM
10:30 AM – 1:20 PM
12:30 PM – 2:40 PM
3:30 PM – 5:48 PM
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
5:30 PM – 7:58 PM
7:30 PM – 9:45 PM

The one-way ticket price depends on the class and type of train you choose and ranges from 6.50 to 10 BGN. You can find the current train schedule on the website of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ).

From Blagoevgrad to Sofia by train

The departure times from Blagoevgrad to Sofia are:

8:00 AM – 10:05 AM
10:00 AM – 12:45 PM
12:16 PM – 2:25 PM
2:15 PM – 5:02 PM
3:45 PM – 6:05 PM
7:35 PM – 10:10 PM

By bus – To and From Sofia

Useful Information

The bus journey from Sofia to Blagoevgrad takes about two hours, depending on traffic when leaving Sofia.

Buses depart from Sofia Central Bus Station, and the final stop is Blagoevgrad Bus Station (located next to the train station). Below you will find the bus timetable with the names of the respective transport companies. The schedule applies daily unless stated otherwise in parentheses.

Where Is Sofia Central Bus Station Located?

Sofia Central Bus Station
Address: bul. “Knyaginya Maria Luisa” No. 100, Sofia
Phone: +359-2-813-3202; +359-2-813-3232
Website: https://www.centralnaavtogara.bg/index.php#b

Opening Hours: 05:30 – 00:45
Restrooms: Yes (for a small fee)

Find Sofia Central Bus Station on Google Maps:

From Sofia to Blagoevgrad by bus

6:40 am - 8:40 am (excluding Sundays and holidays) Union Ivkoni
8:10 am - 10:10 am Union Ivkoni
8:30 am - 10:30 am Union Ivkoni
9:45 am - 11:40 am (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Union Ivkoni
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Union Ivkoni
11:00 am - 12:45 pm Struma 11
11:25 am - 13:30 pm Union Ivkoni
12:00 pm - 2:10 pm (Saturday and Sunday) Union Ivkoni
12:30 pm - 14:10 pm Struma 11
1:20 pm - 3:05 pm Struma 11
2:10 pm - 3:55 pm Struma 11
3:00 pm - 4:45 pm Struma 11
3:30 pm - 5:15 pm Struma 11
4:15 pm - 5:45 pm Struma 11
4:45 pm - Sonja Tours
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm Struma 11
7:00 pm - 8:45 pm Struma 11

From Blagoevgrad to Sofia by bus

If you would like to travel by bus from Blagoevgrad to Sofia, below you will find the schedule with departure times from Blagoevgrad Bus Station (next to the railway station).

6:30 am – 8:15 am | Struma 11
8:10 am – 9:55 am | Struma 11
8:15 am – 10:00 am | Union Ivkoni
9:10 am – 10:55 am | Struma 11
10:10 am – 11:55 am | Struma 11
11:10 am – 12:55 pm | Struma 11
1:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Struma 11
1:20 pm – 3:10 pm | Union Ivkoni
2:00 pm – 3:45 pm | Struma 11
3:00 pm – 4:45 pm | Struma 11
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Union Ivkoni
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Union Ivkoni
6:13 pm – 7:45 pm | Union Ivkoni
7:10 pm – 8:30 pm | Union Ivkoni

Dupnitsa (Sapareva banja and Rila lakes)

Can you reach the Rila Lakes by public transportation?

Dupnitsa is a convenient starting point for visiting the Rila Lakes. If you are traveling by public transport, you can take a bus from Dupnitsa to Sapareva Banya (buses depart from Dupnitsa Bus Station every hour on the hour, and more frequently on weekdays). From Sapareva Banya to the lower station of the Rila Lakes chairlift, you can travel during the active season by shuttle van (there is no fixed schedule; the van departs once enough tourists have gathered) or by taxi.

By Train to/from Dupnitsa

Dupnitsa Railway Station

Address: ul. “Sv. Ivan Rilski” 8, Dupnitsa

Phone: +359 884 405 623

Website: Bulgarian State Railways (BDŽ)

Opening Hours: 04:00 AM – 9:15 PM

Find Dupnitsa Railway Station on Google Maps:

By Train from Dupnitsa to Blagoevgrad

6:25 AM – 7:05 AM
7:42 AM – 8:26 AM
9:31 AM – 9:59 AM
12:33 PM – 1:15 PM
2:17 PM – 2:47 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
2:55 PM – 3:25 PM (weekdays)
6:07 PM – 6:37 PM
8:09 PM – 8:44 PM
9:15 PM – 9:45 PM

By Train from Blagoevgrad to Dupnitsa

5:05 AM – 5:41 AM
8:00 AM – 8:28 AM
8:45 AM – 9:26 AM (weekdays)
9:30 AM – 10:17 AM (Saturday and Sunday)
11:59 AM – 12:30 PM (weekdays)
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
2:10 PM – 2:48 PM (weekdays)
2:20 PM – 3:02 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
3:35 PM – 4:06 PM (weekdays)
3:40 PM – 4:11 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
7:26 PM – 7:58 PM
9:15 PM – 10:03 PM

By Bus – To and From Dupnitsa / Sapareva Banya / Rila Lakes

Dupnitsa Bus Station

Address: ul. “Chavdar Voivoda”, Dupnitsa

Phone: 0701 40 854

Website: none

Find Dupnitsa Bus Station on Google Maps:

By Bus from Dupnitsa to Blagoevgrad

If you are traveling by bus from Dupnitsa to Blagoevgrad (buses depart from Dupnitsa Bus Station), see the schedule below:

06:30 am
08:10 am
08:20 am
10:45 am
10:55 am – 11:25 am
12:00 pm
02:00 pm
03:20 pm
04:15 pm – 4:45 pm | Struma 11
05:10 pm

By bus from Blagoevgrad to Dupnitsa

06:50 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:50 p.m. (except Saturday and Sunday)
2:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.

By bus from Dupnitsa to Sapareva Banja

From Dupnitsa, a bus to Sapareva Banya departs every hour on the hour (on weekdays, and even more frequently at times). Information from the Sapareva Banya municipality about the 2023 timetable can be found on the municipality’s official website.

By bus from Sapareva Banja to Rila-Lakes

To reach the valley station of the chairlift to the Rila Lakes, minibuses operate during the tourist season, departing as soon as there are enough passengers. Another option is to take a taxi.

Rila monastery

Rila Monastery

Opening Hours:

Main Church of the Monastery:

Mon–Thu: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Fri–Sun: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Museum: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Distance: 40 km from Blagoevgrad

Website: https://rilskimanastir.org/

By bus from the Rila Monastery to Blagoevgrad

You can conveniently travel by direct bus from Rila Monastery to Blagoevgrad, passing through the town of Rila:

8:20 AM – 9:40 AM: Rila Express
5:00 PM – 6:10 PM: Rila Express

You can find more information about the Rila Monastery and day tours in the area here.

By bus from Blagoevgrad to Rila Monastery

There is a daily direct connection from Blagoevgrad to Rila Monastery:

7:00 AM – 8:10 AM

If you prefer not to leave so early in the morning, there is also an alternative with a transfer and a stop of about 4 hours in the town of Rila:

Blagoevgrad → Rila Town: 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
Rila Town → Rila Monastery: 3:50 PM – 4:30 PM

Bansko

There is no direct railway line between Blagoevgrad and Bansko. If you want to travel to or from Bansko by train, you need to go through Sofia or Pernik and transfer to the narrow-gauge railway at Septemvri station.

However, several buses connect the two cities every day, and the journey takes about 1 hour. The starting point is Bansko Bus Station, and tickets are purchased on board the vehicle.

Bansko Bus Station

Adress: ul. Patriarch Evtimii 4, Bansko

Website: https://avtogarabansko.com/

Price: 10 BGN

Find Bansko Bus Station on Google Maps:

From Bansko to Blagoevgrad by bus

8:20 am | Iboturs
10:30 am | Iboturs
3:00 pm | Struma 11
5:25 pm | Struma 11

From Blagoevgrad to Bansko by bus

If you want to travel from Blagoevgrad to Bansko by public transport, here is the bus schedule:

10:15 a.m.
11:20 a.m. (weekdays)
11:40 a.m. (weekdays)
1:00 p.m.
3:20 p.m. (weekdays)

Samokov (Borovets and Maljovitsa)

Usefull information

There is no direct train between Samokov and Blagoevgrad. You can travel by bus; the journey takes about 1 hour.

Buses from Samokov to Borovets depart at the following times: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

From Samokov to Malyovitsa, public transportation is available at 9:15 AM and 3:30 PM.

Samokov Bus Station
Address: ul. “General Skoblew” No. 20, Samokov
Opening Hours: 5:40 AM – 7:20 PM
Phone: 0722 66540
Website: https://avtogara-samokov.com/

From Samokov to Blagoevgrad by bus

10:00 AM - 11:25 AM
03:40 PM - 04:45 PM

From Blagoevgrad to Samokov by bus

The bus actually goes to Plovdiv but makes a stop in Samokov. The departure and arrival times are:

06:50 AM - 08:00 AM
02:30 PM - 03:45 PM

Plovdiv

Usefull information

here is no direct train connection between Blagoevgrad and Plovdiv. If you want to travel by train to or from Plovdiv, you must go via Sofia and change to a Plovdiv-bound train there.

There are two daily bus connections between the two cities. The journey takes about 4 hours.

Buses depart from Plovdiv South Bus Station and arrive at Blagoevgrad Bus Station. The route passes through Samokov and Dupnitsa.

Plovdiv South Bus Station

Address: Plovdiv, bul. “Hristo Botev” No. 47
Opening Hours: 00:00 – 24:00
Ticket Office: 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Find Plovdiv South Bus Station on Google Maps:

By Bus from Plovdiv to Blagoevgrad

07:30 AM - 11:25 AM
01:00 PM - 4:45 PM

By Bus from Blagoevgrad to Plovdiv

06:50 AM - 10:40 AM
02:30 PM - 06:25 PM

Sandanski

By bus

Usefull information

Sandanski Bus Station

Address: ul. “Todor Kableshkov” No. 2, Sandanski

Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Phone: +359 882 424 212

Website: avtogarasandanski.com

From Sandanski to Blagoevgrad by bus

Several bus lines run daily from Sandanski to Blagoevgrad. The journey takes about 1 hour. The starting point is Sandanski Bus Station.

06:45 a.m. (except Saturday and Sunday)
07:00 a.m. (except Sunday)
07:30 a.m. (except Saturday and Sunday)
09:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. (except Saturday and Sunday)
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
3:40 p.m. (Sunday only)
4:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.

From Blagoevgrad to Sandanski by bus

Several buses travel daily from Blagoevgrad to Sandanski:

08:15 a.m.
10:10 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. (weekdays)
12:20 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. (weekdays)

Velingrad

There is no direct train or bus line between Velingrad and Blagoevgrad. You can travel via Bansko and continue from there to Velingrad.

Thessaloniki (Greece)

By Bus

Two bus companies operate between Thessaloniki (Greece) and Blagoevgrad (Bulgaria). The journey takes about 3–4 hours and costs €10–€18, depending on the company. Arrival and departure in Blagoevgrad take place at Blagoevgrad Bus Station.

Thessaloniki Railway Station

Address: Monastiriou 28, 54627 Thessaloniki

The bus departs from the urban transport parking area next to the station.

Bus Companies

Flixbus

ArdaTur

By Bus from Thessaloniki to Blagoevgrad

Bus Schedule from Thessaloniki to Blagoevgrad

12:30 AM – 4:40 AM — ArdaTur
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM — ArdaTur
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM — ArdaTur
5:30 PM – 9:15 PM (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) — FlixBus

By Bus from Blagoevgrad to Thessaloniki

8:40 AM – 12:25 PM (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) — FlixBus
11:30 AM – 3:25 PM — ArdaTur
2:10 PM – 6:10 PM — ArdaTur
6:15 PM – 10:15 PM — ArdaTur

Traveling from the South: From Greece to Blagoevgrad

By Train from Kulata (Greece Border) to Blagoevgrad

If you are traveling from the south and want to reach Blagoevgrad from Greece, you can take the train from Kulata to Blagoevgrad (with a transfer in General Todorov).
The journey takes about 2 hours:

06:05 – 07:52
13:35 – 15:20

By Train from Blagoevgrad to Kulata (Greece Border)

10:05 AM - 11:58 AM
03:26 PM - 05:17 PM

With car

If you are coming from the north, for example from Sofia, you will most likely travel to Blagoevgrad via the country’s newest highway, the Struma Motorway, A3. There are three exits for Blagoevgrad on the highway, all located after the second tunnel when coming from Sofia (near Kocherinovo). The fastest route to the city center is the first exit towards Blagoevgrad/Kocherinovo/Rila. The distance from Sofia to Blagoevgrad is about 90 km, or approximately 1 hour by car.

If you are traveling to Blagoevgrad from the south, the distance from the Kulata border crossing with Greece is about 80 km, or around 1 hour by car.

For those coming from the west or from the Republic of North Macedonia, the route passes near the villages of Obel, Logodazh, and Zelen Dol. The distance from the Logodazh border crossing (which may also be labeled as Stanke Lisichkovo) to the center of Blagoevgrad is about 30 km, or 30 minutes by car.

How to Get Around Blagoevgrad: Transportation Options and Local Travel Tips

Find all the information you need on how to get around Blagoevgrad here.