Car hire in Sofia, Bulgaria

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Choose from 64 pick-up spots

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There are 64 car hire providers in Sofia. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Sofia

Hiring a car in Sofia: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyMEX
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceج.م.‏ 2,587
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Sofia

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Sofia car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Sofia

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Sofia for around ج.م.‏ 2,587 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, putting amazing deals at your fingertips.

  • ج.م.‏ 54 is the cheapest daily price offered for a rental in Sofia.

  • Taking a longer break? Pick up a weekly rental from ج.م.‏ 377 and explore beyond the usual highlights.

  • Here's the secret to booking at the right time. One week in advance is your sweet spot for driving off with the best price on a Sofia car hire.

  • Browse the offers available with Surprice, MEX and addCar. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • Whether you book with Surprice or another supplier, be sure to check the coverage on your Sofia car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others sell it as a separate extra.

  • Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for cheaper deals. Simply check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes need to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can snag some excellent one-way prices on a car for rent in Sofia.

  • Cut down on fuel costs by choosing a vehicle that has a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car with a full tank and bring it back full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Explore without limits by picking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you need without paying more.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at ج.م.‏ 1,283 a day.

  • Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around ج.م.‏ 3,065.

  • The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly ج.م.‏ 2,141 a day for one of their rentals.

  • If you're having trouble deciding which ride is right for you, consider something from the Economy rental category. It's the most frequently booked type of vehicle in Sofia.

Flying to Sofia? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're jetting into Sofia, start exploring sooner by picking up a car hire at Sofia Airport. The drive time from this airport to the city centre is around 10 kilometres and takes about 25 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Sofia

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or taking a quick trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect good fuel efficiency and easy handling.

  • Medium: A solid choice when you need something that's easy to drive but doesn't skimp on features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the space to handle it all effortlessly. Perfect for long-distance journeys, this Sofia car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating trickier terrain or zipping along smooth highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.

  • Van: With options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Sofia effortlessly handles larger loads and group travel. They're tough, dependable, and ready for whatever task you throw at it.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Sofia car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so compare before you book.

  • Upgrade your ride with handy extras like mobile Wi-Fi or a reverse camera. These features can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Sofia.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you might run into extra costs or rules. Check the specific rules for each supplier before booking your rental in Bulgaria.

  • Kids coming with you? Car seat laws vary from one place to another, and the best setup may depend on their age, weight and height. Make sure you add the right one to your Sofia car hire reservation.

  • You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: a current driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds to pay the security deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.

  • Driving in Bulgaria can take some adjustment if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stay on the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's normally around 45kph in built-up areas and 135kph or so on highways. Always go with what's posted on the road signs.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Bulgaria is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, it's best to skip drinks entirely so you remain legal to drive.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.

  • The Bulgarian lev (BGN) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and activities. Use cards where you can, but have some cash ready when electronic payments aren't possible.

  • The language most often spoken in this country is Bulgarian.

Best hotels in Sofia for drivers

  • Pull in and get ready to relax at Design Hotel 36. Offering accessible parking as well as tour services and luggage storage, this hotel is around 0.64 kilometres from central Sofia.

  • Abrazo Sofia Hotel by HMG keeps guests happy with parking and features such as car hire options and a bar. It's roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the range of hotels in Sofia for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the right fit. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Sofia and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to explore first. Start your trip with major attractions such as Free Sofia Tour, Boyana Church and National Historical Museum.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Sofia

  • Around 26 kilometres west of central Sofia, Pernik deserves a spot on your itinerary. Head straight for can't-miss sights like Underground Mining Museum and Memorial Park.

  • Add Pazardzhik to your list of stops. Grab your cheap car hire in Sofia and drive roughly 97 kilometres southeast to explore top spots such as The Dinosaur Park and St. Constantine and Helena.

  • Take things a bit further and road-trip it to Pleven, roughly 129 kilometres northeast of Sofia. First, visit Pleven Epopee 1877, then follow it up with Regional Historical Museum.

  • Browse the room options at Hotel Rostov or Hotel City Pleven. Make one of them your base and enjoy everything Pleven has to offer. They also offer parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Sofia will set you back around ج.م.‏ 2,587 per day or ج.م.‏ 377 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Sofia is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Sofia are currently Aura Car Hire and Carwiz.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Sofia is currently February.
On average, around ج.م.‏ 377. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Sofia is ج.م.‏ 377.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Sofia for a whole month is ج.م.‏ 72,365. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Sofia, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Sofia that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Sofia.
Most places – Sofia included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ج.م.‏ 54 per day. The average price per day is around ج.م.‏ 2,587.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like MEX, Carwiz and Rental24 offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Sofia.