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How to get fromCologne to Bulgariaby plane, train, bus, car, or car train

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There are 10 ways to get from Cologne to Bulgaria by plane, train, bus, car, or car train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Sofia Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane CGN - SOF
    5h 29m
    $69–294

  2. Train, bus via Bratislava

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to München Hbftrain train 41 / ...
    2. Take the train from Muenchen Hbf to Salzburg Hbftrain train Re / ...
    3. Take the train from Salzburg Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna Stanicatrain train Rjx
    4. Take the bus from Bratislava to Sofia Central Bus Stationbus bus
    25h
    $200–456

  3. Drive  1,859.1 km

    1. Drive from Cologne to Sofiacar car 1,859.1 km
    16h 31m
    $307–443

  4. Train to Frankfurt, fly to Sofia Airport

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain train
    2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane FRA - SOF
    5h 59m
    $132–341

  5. Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Bucharest Otopeni, bus

    1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP)plane plane CGN - OTP
    2. Take the bus from Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport to Ruse Central Bus Stationbus bus
    8h 1m
    $72–400

  6. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to München Hbftrain train 41 / ...
    2. Take the train from Muenchen Hbf to Salzburg Hbftrain train Re / ...
    3. Take the bus from Salzburg to Sofia Knyaginya Maria Luiza Stationbus bus
    26h 15m
    $220–426

  7. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Cologne to Kumanovobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kumanovo to Sofiabus bus
    27h 17m
    $101–169

  8. Train, bus #2

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain train 41 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Frankfurt Central Train Station to Sofia Serdica Bus Stopbus bus
    32h 35m
    $146–246

  9. Bus via Niš

    1. Take the bus from Köln Hbf to Niš, Autobuska Stanicabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Niš, Autobuska Stanica to Sofiya, Avtogara Serdikabus bus
    33h 37m
    $164–199

  10. Drive, car train

    1. Drive from Cologne to Fuldacar car
    2. Take the cartrain from Fulda to Villach Hbf ARZcartrain train
    3. Drive from Villach Hbf ARZ to Sofiacar car
    20h 55m
    $340–467

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar29Weekly Planes
Duration3h 40mAverage Duration
Ticket$39Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cologne to Bulgaria.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,564 km
  • Duration: 5h 29m

What companies run services between Cologne, Germany and Bulgaria?

Ryanair, Eurowings, and three other airlines fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Sofia Airport (SOF) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cologne to Sofia via Kumanovo in around 27h 17m.

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Want to know more about travelling around Bulgaria

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

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