Bulgaria in Camping-Car: rental, advice, areas, routes

Do you want to visit Bulgaria by motorhome or furnished van? Find all our practical tips in this article!

A country with beautiful landscapes, Bulgaria is a very rich country. We appreciate his capital Sofia , affordable and vibrant city, as well as the surrounding nature. There are mountain lakes, numerous monasteries, seaside resorts along the Black Sea and ski resorts.

All its riches can easily be found in camping-car. The country is welcoming and the legislation is rather flexible for those enjoying wild camping. So don’t hesitate to browse Bulgaria on a motorhome!

This article lists all practical information to allow you to prepare your visit to Bulgaria by camping car. You will find itineraries ideas, traffic rules to know, the most important camping areas and the best time to visit.

Ideas of itineraries in Bulgaria by motorhome

Bulgaria is a fairly dense country with long journey times. Thus, it is quite possible to spend 1 month to wander. As often, the ideal duration is 2 weeks , allowing to see the essential. The 1 week itinerary is made for those who cannot do otherwise because you must make choices.

Every day, the goal is to stop at each stage mentioned or even more if you find something through your own research. Travel times are indicative and do not take into account any stops for visits or rest.

1 week

In view of the wealth offered by the country, a week of rust will only fly over the Bulgarian treasures. The majority of must-see sites are grouped in this route.

• Day 1: Sofia – Rila Lakes – Rila Monastery (189km, 3h50 route);
• Day 2: Monastery of Rila – Plovdiv (230km, 3h15 route);
• Day 3: Plovdiv – Sozopol (283km, 3h20 ride) ;
• Day 4: Sozopol – Burgas – Nessebar – Varna (169km, 2h45 ride) ;
• Day 5: Varna – Veliko Tarnovo (222km, 2h45 ride) ;
• Day 6: Veliko Tarnovo – Devetaki – Koprivshtitsa (229km, 4-hour journey) ;
• Day 7: Koprivshtitsa – Sofia (110km, 1h45 ride).

2 weeks

The 2-week route is close to that of a week. The notable difference is to take its time to appreciate the places, national parks and the discovery of Bulgaria by camping-car.

• Day 1: Day in Sofia;
• Day 2: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Bansko (211km, 3:15am) ;
• Day 3: day at Pirin National Park;
• Day 4: Bansko – Rila Lakes – Borovets (183km, 3h35 ride) ;
• Day 5: day at Rila National Park;
• Day 6: Borovets – Plovdiv (124km, 1h50 route);
• Day 7: day in Plovdiv;
• Day 8: Plovdiv – Sozopol (283km, 3h20 ride) ;
• Day 9: Sozopol – Burgas – Nessebar (68km, 1h05 ride) ;
• Day 10: Nessebar – Varna (101km, 1h40 ride) ;
• Day 11: Varna – Veliko Tarnovo (222km, 2h45 ride) ;
• Day 12: Veliko Tarnovo – Devetaki (83km, 1h15 route);
• Day 13: Devataki – Belogradchnik (250km, 3h45 ride) ;
• Day 14: Belogradchnik – Sofia (164km, 2h50 route).

1 month

Those who can, choose this route. This may seem long but Bulgaria is so rich that you will not see time pass. A month gives us a fairly comprehensive overview of the country: the big cities including 2 days in Sofia, national parks, historic cities and beaches. We can then take his time to explore Bulgaria by camping-car.

• Days 1 and 2: Days in Sofia;
• Day 3: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Bansko (211km, 3:15am) ;
• Day 4: day at Pirin National Park;
• Day 5: Bansko – Rila Lakes – Borovets (183km, 3h35 ride) ;
• Day 6: day at Rila National Park;
• Day 7: Borovets – Plovdiv (124km, 1h50 route);
• Day 8: day in Plovdiv;
• Day 9: Plovdiv – Kardzali (95km, 1h40 route);
• Day 10: Kardzali – Haskovo (47km, 50 minutes away);
• Day 11: Haskovo – Sredets – Sozopol (235km, 3h20 ride) ;
• Day 12: day in Sozopol;
• Day 13: Sozopol – Burgas – Nessebar (68km, 1h05 ride) ;
• Day 14: day in Nessebar and around;
• Day 15: Nessebar – Varna (101km, 1h40 ride) ;
• Day 16: day in Varna;
• Day 17: Varna – Krapets (95km, 1h20 ride) ;
• Day 18: Krapets – Dobrich – Novi Pazar – Razgrad (230km, 3h10 ride) ;
• Day 19: Razgrad – Veliko Tarnovo (117km, 1h40 ride) ;
• Day 20: Veliko Tarnovo – Devetaki (83km, 1h15 route);
• Day 21: Day around Devetaki with visit to the Devetashka Cave;
• Day 22: Devetaki – Karlovo (123km, 2h30 ride) ;
• Day 23: day at the central Balkan National Park;
• Day 24: Karlovo – Koprivshtitsa (55km, 1 hour of travel);
• Day 25: Koprivshtitsa – Vratsa (146km, 2h20 ride) ;
• Day 26: day at the Vratsa Mountain Nature Reserve;
• Day 27: Vratsa – Belogradchnik (109km, 1h10 route);
• Day 28: day around Belogradchnik;
• Day 29: Belogradchnik – Sofia (164km, 2h50 route).

What budget to travel by motorhome in Bulgaria?

Renting a motorhome in Bulgaria can be quite expensive. Online, various agencies offer high standing vehicles at high prices for a country like Bulgaria. Depending on the insurance taken, the price can even be increased up to 50%!

Other possibility, you can book with local agencies on site and it is generally cheaper. But difficult to know availability and price without contacting one at one.

♪ free parking lots and you will find it easily. Be warned that many camping areas remain far from European standards. The wild camping is therefore a good idea, provided that you have access to basic amenities. So we can add 50 € parking per week.

Finally, for gasoline, it is only an estimate since it depends on many factors.

The budget mentioned is therefore a high average, taking into account the motorhomes you will find online. You can lower it, especially by renting a motorhome directly on site.

Average budget for 1 week

• Rental + motorhome insurance : 1 400 € (including average to 200 € Week);
• Essence + toll : 115 € (including 7.5 € de vignette);
• Parking : 50 € ;
• Total: 1 565 €.

Average budget for 2 weeks

• Rental + motorhome insurance : 2 800 € (including average to 200 € Week);
• Essence + toll : 230 € (including 15 € de vignette);
• Parking : 100 € ;
• Total: 3 130 €.

Average budget for 1 month

• Rental + motorhome insurance : 5 800 € (including average to 200 € Week);
• Essence + toll : 445 € (including 15 € de vignette);
• Parking : 200 € ;
• Total: 6 445 €.

Drive in Bulgaria by motorhome: traffic rules to be known

What documents do you have on board?

As Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, some of your French documents will be valid on Bulgarian roads. First of all, your driving licence adequate (generally B but not always, see our dedicated article ), if possible new version not to have to justify that it is you in the photo and Certificate of Registration of the vehicle. The proof of the last technical inspection is also required.

For other documents, of course, it is essential that your insurance covers your trips to Bulgaria. For this, have an international insurance card and a European accident finding. You can purchase this green card from your French insurer or directly to Bulgaria, from an agency or individual.

What are the speed limits?

In theory, speed limits are as follows:

• 50km/h in the city and agglomeration;
• 90km/h on national road;
• 120km/h on the so-called urban highway (peripherals for example);
• 140km/h On the highway.

If your motorhome or van drags a trailer, the limits are lowered respectively 50 , 70 , 90 and 100km/h .

Fuel

It is very easy to find gas stations in Bulgaria, regardless of the road.

The price varies regularly and it is difficult to give a fork. On the other hand, good news is usually 45% cheaper than in France. Thus, when the liter is to 1,40 € in France, he's in 0,90 € Bulgaria.

Alcohol flying

In Romania, the rule is clear: driving or drinking, you have to choose. Thus, the country applies a tolerance (0.05mg/litre of blood) for drivers.

Motorway to Bulgaria: what price for your motorhome category?

The highways are developing in Bulgaria. On the day of publication of this article, only two highways are in service and this should change incessantly shortly. Also the thumbnail system could soon be replaced by a toll. This is already the case for some heavy vehicles. It is therefore essential to inform you upstream on whether this paragraph remains up to date.

In 2021, the thumbnail is at a rate of 15 lev (approximately 7,60 € ) the week and 30 lev (approximately 15,30 € ) month.

Other information about driving in Bulgaria by motorhome

thumbnail is also essential for driving on national roads. She is so mandatory , even if you do not wish to borrow the highways.

Attention to secondary roads, which can sometimes be in a catastrophic state. In winter, they are dangerous and avoidable. Moreover, if you travel in winter, snow tyres and chains are indispensable to have in the safe, even if it is not mandatory.

♪ headlights shall be lit day and night.

For the rest, the Bulgarian road code does not differ from French.

How and where to rent a motorhome France ?

Would you like to visit Bulgaria on a motorhome, but you don't have a vehicle? Now it is very simple to rent these vehicles between individuals, especially in France. Many platforms allow this type of rental, online, as Yescapa For example. However, keep in mind that it is more than 20 hours of road that separate France and Bulgaria!

How does it work?

• At first, you have to choose the motorhome in your city (For example Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
• Be careful choose unlimited mileage, to check the number of beds available and if travel abroad is possible.
• Do your work online rental request and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) to the owner.
• If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner's contact information to organize a First meeting.
• Day J, present your driver's license and pour bail.
• One. status of premises is executed and a lease is signed between the two parties. You will have to sign it when you return from Bulgaria, and once done, the tour is played!

Camping-car areas in Bulgaria: where to park?

The campsites are unevenly distributed in Bulgaria. If there are many on the shores of the sea, it is less the case in the land, especially when you get away from the big cities. Also, many are far from European standards.

Among the important areas are Krapets campsite near the Greek border or Dobrudja campsite on the shores of the Black Sea. Do not hesitate to consult a website or an application like Caramaps to find local areas.

Here are some rules of good conduct to be followed:

• If the wild campsite is allowed, it is prohibited on private grounds and in national parks;
• Don't let anything go down and respect nature.

What is the best time to travel by motorhome in Bulgaria?

The Bulgarian climate is continental and, indeed, is very contrasting. Not to mention the variations between regions, Bulgaria being a mountainous country. In summary, it is advisable to leave between June and September even May and October the beautiful years.

Those who want to go ski will have the opportunity to go in winter. But be warned: the climate is harsh and many camping areas are closed.