A car with a driver from Sofia or Sofia Airport to Plovdiv costs 100 € for a sedan (up to 4 people), 120 € for a minivan (up to 6) and 140 € for a minibus (up to 8). That is the price for the whole car, one way, about 150 km and 1 hour 45 minutes on the Trakia motorway. If you want the driver to stay with you and stop on the way, you can book the car for the day instead, from 220 € for 12 hours. Both options are explained below, with no prepayment and free child seats.
Two ways to travel from Sofia to Plovdiv with a driver
| Option | Sedan | Minivan | Minibus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct transfer, one way | 100 € | 120 € | 140 € | Getting to your hotel in Plovdiv as quickly as possible |
| Car with driver, 12 h / 200 km | 220 € | 270 € (van 6+1) | 280 € (minibus 8+1) | A day with stops, the driver waits for you |
The direct transfer price is the same from Sofia city and from Sofia Airport (Terminal 1 or 2). The day hire uses our chauffeur packages: hours and kilometres are included together, and each extra kilometre in a standard car costs 1.00 €. A day trip Sofia – Plovdiv – Sofia is about 300 km, so with a standard car you should expect around 320 € for the full day (220 € plus about 100 extra km). We confirm the exact amount in writing before the trip.
When the day hire is worth it
A transfer drops you off and the driver leaves. With the day hire the car stays yours: the driver waits while you visit a monastery, have lunch or sit in a meeting, then takes you on. It makes sense when you:
- want to see one or two places on the way instead of driving straight through;
- go to Plovdiv for the day and come back to Sofia in the evening;
- have meetings in two cities and do not want to look for a taxi between them;
- travel with older relatives or small children and want breaks whenever you need them.
Stops worth making between Sofia and Plovdiv
The motorway is fast but not very scenic. These are the stops our clients ask for most often. Tell us which ones you want when you book, and we plan the time and the kilometres in advance.
Pazardzhik
A small town right by the motorway, about 35 km before Plovdiv. Its Church of the Holy Mother of God is known for a richly carved wooden iconostasis. A short stop here adds very little to the trip.
Hisarya and Starosel
A detour north of the motorway. Hisarya keeps long stretches of Roman fortress walls and is a spa town with mineral springs you can drink from in the park. Nearby Starosel has a Thracian cult complex and a winery, which makes it a popular lunch stop. Plan at least half a day for this detour.
Asenovgrad Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery
South of Plovdiv, at the foot of the Rhodopes. The Church of the Holy Mother of God of Petrich stands on a rock above the valley, and Bachkovo Monastery, one of the oldest in Bulgaria, is a few kilometres further up the road. This works well as the second half of a Plovdiv day.
Plovdiv itself
The driver can drop you at the edge of the Old Town, near the Ancient Theatre, or in Kapana, the creative district with small restaurants and shops, and pick you up at an agreed place. Parking in the centre is limited, so this saves you a lot of walking with bags.
Sample day
- 08:30 – pick-up from your hotel in Sofia or from Sofia Airport.
- 09:30 – coffee stop and a short walk in Pazardzhik.
- 11:00 – Asenovgrad Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery.
- 14:00 – lunch in Kapana and an afternoon in the Old Town of Plovdiv.
- 18:30 – return to Sofia, back at about 20:30.
That is a full 12-hour day. If you only need the outward trip with one stop, a shorter package or a transfer with an agreed stop may be cheaper. Ask us and we will compare both for you.
Which car to choose
- Sedan – up to 4 passengers with normal luggage.
- Minivan – up to 6 passengers, or 4 with a lot of luggage.
- Minibus – groups of up to 8.
Child seats are free. Tell us the age of each child when you book.
How to book
Send us the date, the pick-up address or flight number, the number of people and the stops you want. We reply with a fixed price, usually within an hour, day or night. You pay at the end of the trip. Ask for your price: Sofia – Plovdiv or call +359 897 227 771 (WhatsApp and Viber on the same number).
Only need a quick transfer? See the Sofia Airport to Plovdiv transfer. Going to Plovdiv for the market? Read our farmers market day trip guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a car with a driver from Sofia to Plovdiv?
A one-way transfer costs 100 € for a sedan, 120 € for a minivan and 140 € for a minibus. A car with a driver for the day starts at 220 € for 12 hours and 200 km in a standard car.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. Tell us the stops when you book and we include them in a fixed price before the trip. For longer stops or detours, the day hire is usually the better option.
Does the driver wait for us in Plovdiv?
With the day hire, yes: the car and the driver stay with you for the whole booked period. With a one-way transfer the driver leaves after drop-off, and you can book a separate return.
Is the price the same from Sofia Airport?
Yes. The transfer price from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv is the same as from Sofia city: 100 €, 120 € or 140 €.
Do we pay in advance?
No. There is no prepayment. You pay at the end of the trip.
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