“Hristos Voskrese” or Happy Easter from Bulgaria
April 9, 2026
Buses are one of the main options for getting around from Plovdiv — whether you’re planning a day trip nearby or heading to another city in Bulgaria.
There is one important thing to keep in mind:
Plovdiv has two bus stations. Schedules can vary depending on the day, so it’s always best to check at the station in advance.
Bus Station South (Yug) – central ticket office: +359 32 626 937
Bus Station Rodopi – +359 32 657 828
Bus Station “South” (Yug)
Bus Station South is used mainly for long-distance and intercity travel.
It is located right next to the Central Railway Station, making it easy to find and convenient if you are combining train and bus travel.
From here you can catch buses to major cities such as Sofia, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, and Pazardzhik.
Note: The ticket kiosk for buses to Sofia is located outside the station, near the café and restrooms. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
Virtual table
Schedule:
🚌 Bus Station South (Yug)
| Destination | Departure Times |
|---|---|
| Asenovgrad | 07:20, 08:20, 08:50, 10:20, 10:50, 11:20, 12:20, 12:50, 14:20, 14:50, 16:20, 16:50, 17:20, 18:20 |
| Asenovgrad (holidays) | 08:50, 09:50, 11:50, 12:50, 14:20, 15:20 |
| Batak (via Peshtera) | 09:45, 17:30 |
| Blagoevgrad (via Borovets) | 07:30, 13:00 |
| Brestovitsa | 08:00, 10:40, 13:30, 14:40, 17:10, 18:00, 19:00, 19:40 |
| Brestovitsa (holidays) | 08:00, 10:40, 13:00, 16:20, 19:40 |
| Burgas | 09:10, 13:10 |
| Hisarya | 06:20, 07:40, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:15, 17:30, 18:30 |
| Karlovo | 06:30, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00, 18:00, 19:00 |
| Krichim (via Perushtitsa) | 06:15 – 21:45 (approx. every 30 min) |
| Krichim (Sunday) | 06:15, 08:15, 10:15, 12:15, 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, 20:15 |
| Krichim (via Stamboliyski) | 07:55, 10:10, 11:25, 12:35, 17:10 |
| Parvomay (via Asenovgrad) | 10:00, 12:00, 15:30, 18:00 |
| Pazardzhik | 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 |
| Peshtera | 06:20, 13:10, 17:00 |
| S. Seltsi (via Mominsko) | 06:20 |
| Sliven | 11:00, 15:00, 16:00, 16:30 |
| Sofia | 06:30, 07:30, 09:00, 10:30, 12:30 |
| Stara Zagora | 13:00, 18:00 |
| Velingrad | 12:30, 17:20 |
Bus Station “Rodopi”
Bus Station Rodopi is located just a few minutes away from Bus Station South. It is used mainly for short-distance routes, villages, and mountain destinations. You can reach it via the underpass in front of the Central Railway Station. Bus Station Rodopi is located at the very end of the underpass.
This is the station you will use if you are heading toward the Rhodope Mountains or nearby towns.
Virtual table
Schedule:
🚌 Bus Station Rodopi
| Destination | Departure Times |
|---|---|
| Belashtitsa | 05:40, 06:50, 07:20, 08:00, 09:00, 09:40, 10:20, 11:40, 12:20, 13:00, 13:40, 15:00, 15:40, 16:30, 17:00, 18:00, 19:30, 22:20 |
| Brestovitsa | 08:00, 10:40, 13:30, 14:40, 17:10, 18:00, 19:00, 19:40 |
| Devin / Dospat | 16:30 |
| Gotse Delchev | 14:10 |
| Hrabrino | 05:40, 07:00, 09:40, 11:40, 13:00, 15:00, 16:20, 17:40, 19:00, 20:00, 21:40 |
| Iskra | 07:35, 11:30, 17:35 |
| Kardzhali | 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 |
| Karlovo | 06:30, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00, 18:00, 19:00 |
| Krumovgrad | 13:00 |
| Kuklen | 06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:15, 10:45, 11:30, 13:00, 13:45, 14:30, 15:15, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:40, 21:40 |
| Madan | 11:30, 16:30, 17:30 |
| Markovo | 05:00, 06:00, 06:40, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 |
| Nedelino | 15:00 |
| Rudozem | 06:30, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 |
| Smolyan | 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00 |
| Zlatograd | 12:30, 13:30, 19:30 |
There is also a luggage storage facility (гардероб) available at Bus Station Rodopi. It operates daily from 07:00 to 17:00, except on Sundays when it is closed. If you need to leave your bags while exploring the city or waiting for your bus, this can be a convenient option. Prices depend on the size of the luggage and are charged per day: €2 for small items, €3 for medium, and €4 for large. With prior arrangement, it is possible to store luggage until 19:00.
Contact: +359 889315617
Useful Tips
Bus schedules in Bulgaria can change, and not all routes run every day. Some are limited to weekdays, while others may not operate on Sundays or holidays.
It’s a good idea to:
- check the schedule at the station in advance
- arrive at least 15–20 minutes before departure
- have cash ready for your ticket
Tickets can usually be bought at the ticket office or directly from the driver.
Sofia – A Special Case
Traveling from Plovdiv to Sofia requires a bit more planning, as the bus services are split between different companies operating at different times of the day.
In the morning, buses are operated by Meri Trans 2002 and depart from Bus Station South (Yug). Tickets can be purchased at the station or reserved in advance via Viber at +359894000003. Reserved tickets must be paid at least 30 minutes before departure at the ticket desk.
Morning departures are typically at 06:30, 07:30, 09:00, 10:30, and 12:30.
In the afternoon, buses are operated by Karat S and depart from the area in front of Plovdiv’s Central Railway Station. The last bus to Sofia usually leaves at 19:00. Tickets can be bought online or on site before departure.
There is also a bus to Sofia from Bus Station Rodopi at 16:30.
Final Thoughts
Traveling by bus from Plovdiv is a practical way to explore both nearby towns and more distant destinations. While schedules may not always be perfectly predictable, with a bit of planning you can reach many interesting places around the region.
If you’re unsure which bus to take, don’t hesitate to ask at the station — or join a Free Plovdiv Tour and get local tips from your guide.
Photos: Lost in Plovdiv
If you enjoyed this blog you may also like:
