Bulgaria’s Transport Infrastructure
At a glance
| Mode | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Airports | Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv; 12.3 million passengers in 2025, 8.4 million of them in Sofia |
| Ports | Burgas about 19 million tonnes and Varna about 11 million tonnes in 2024, plus Danube ports such as Ruse, Lom and Vidin |
| Railways | 6,438 km of track, more than 71% electrified; links to Serbia, Romania, Turkey and Greece |
| Roads and border crossings | 911 km of motorways; Kapitan Andreevo on the Turkish border handles more than a million trucks a year |
| Sofia metro | Four lines, 50 stations and about 55 km, with more under construction |
Source: Wikipedia: List of airports in Bulgaria, passenger statistics 2025; Netherlands Enterprise Agency: Market study, ports in Romania and Bulgaria (November 2025, PDF); National Railway Infrastructure Company: Network Statement 2026–2027; Wikipedia: Highways in Bulgaria (motorways in service and under construction); BTA: Kapitan Andreevo border crossing to expand capacity by 25% (18 August 2026); Railway Gazette: Sofia metro opens Line 3 extension (19 August 2026)1,2,4,3,5,6
Projects to watch
- Sofia Airport Terminal 3: construction from spring 2026 to about April 2031.
- Hemus motorway from Sofia to Varna and Struma motorway to the Greek border: both expected to be finished by about 2030; the Kresna bypass on the Struma is due in 2027.
- Kapitan Andreevo: a €43.55 million upgrade to raise capacity by 25%, due by the end of summer 2027.
- Sofia metro: the network is planned to reach 61 km and 57 stations by the end of 2027.
- Ruse–Giurgiu: a new rail and road bridge over the Danube to Romania, expected by 2032.
Source: BTA: SOF Connect CEO on the construction of Terminal 3 at Sofia Airport; Wikipedia: Highways in Bulgaria (motorways in service and under construction); BTA: Kapitan Andreevo border crossing to expand capacity by 25% (18 August 2026); NAMRB: Sofia metro expands with three new stations and four new trains (August 2026); Ministry of Transport and Communications: Action plan for 25 key projects on the Aegean–Danube–Black Sea axis (29 September 2026)7,3,5,8,9
For freight rates, tolls and transit times, see transport and logistics costs and strategic location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passengers use Bulgaria’s airports?
Bulgaria’s four international airports—Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv—handled 12.3 million passengers in 2025, up 7.6%, including 8.4 million passengers at Sofia Airport.
How much cargo do Bulgaria’s Black Sea ports handle?
The Port of Burgas handled about 19 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, while the Port of Varna handled about 11 million tonnes, around 30 million tonnes combined.
How long is Bulgaria’s railway network, and how much is electrified?
Bulgaria had 6,438 km of track at the end of 2025, and over 71% of the rail network is electrified. Rail links connect Bulgaria with Serbia, Romania, Turkey and Greece.
How many kilometres of motorway are in service in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria had 911 km of motorways in service in November 2025. The Hemus motorway from Sofia to Varna and the Struma motorway to the Greek border are both expected to be finished by about 2030.
How large is the Sofia metro network?
In August 2026, the Sofia metro had four lines, 50 stations and about 55 km of network. It is planned to reach 61 km and 57 stations by the end of 2027.
What major transport infrastructure projects are under way or planned in Bulgaria?
Sofia Airport Terminal 3 is scheduled for construction from spring 2026 to about April 2031. The Kresna bypass on the Struma motorway is due in 2027, the Kapitan Andreevo upgrade is due by the end of summer 2027, and a new Ruse–Giurgiu rail and road bridge is expected by 2032.
Transport, mode by mode
Airports
Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv: passengers, operators and new terminals.
12.3 m Passengers at Bulgarian airports, 2025, up 7.6%
Read more
Ports
Burgas, Varna and the Danube ports: cargo, terminals, operators and projects.
≈ 19 m t Cargo at the Port of Burgas, 2024
Read more
Railways
The network, rail freight, border links and the lines being modernised.
6,438 km Total track length, end of 2025
Read more
Roads and border crossings
Motorways, vignettes and tolls, and the main border crossings.
911 km Motorways in service, November 2025
Read more
Sofia metro
Four lines, 50 stations, the airport link and the extensions under way.
50 Stations on four lines, August 2026
Read more
Sources
- Wikipedia: List of airports in Bulgaria, passenger statistics 2025
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency: Market study, ports in Romania and Bulgaria (November 2025, PDF)
- Wikipedia: Highways in Bulgaria (motorways in service and under construction)
- National Railway Infrastructure Company: Network Statement 2026–2027 (PDF)
- BTA: Kapitan Andreevo border crossing to expand capacity by 25% (18 August 2026)
- Railway Gazette: Sofia metro opens Line 3 extension (19 August 2026)
- BTA: SOF Connect CEO on the construction of Terminal 3 at Sofia Airport
- NAMRB: Sofia metro expands with three new stations and four new trains (August 2026)
- Ministry of Transport and Communications: Action plan for 25 key projects on the Aegean–Danube–Black Sea axis (29 September 2026)
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
