How to Get to Bulgaria from Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Israel in 2021

At the start of 2020, if property owners from Russia, Ukraine, or Kazakhstan had asked how to get to Bulgaria during the lockdown, we would simply have shrugged and offered plenty of options by air, coach, or car. But times have changed – in 2021, property owners and holders of residence permits or permanent residence status, in order to find out how to get to Bulgaria now, have to solve a real puzzle and turn themselves into experts on road maps, visas, and routes. To save you time and effort, Bulgaria Avenue invites you to consider the optimal, workable options for getting to Bulgaria.

From Ukraine

The situation is easiest for citizens of Ukraine. The country is on excellent terms with the European Union and did not close its borders during the pandemic. In accordance with the Bulgarian government's decree on the introduction of temporary restrictive measures, Ukrainians can freely visit Bulgaria. 

It is expected that in 2021 it will be possible to travel from Ukraine to Bulgarian cities in at least three ways:

• Road transport. It is fairly easy to drive from Ukraine to Bulgaria. The route runs through Romania, with two border crossings open – the Dyakovo checkpoint (convenient when travelling from Uzhhorod) and the Porubne–Siret checkpoint (from the Chernivtsi side). On the border between Romania and Bulgaria, the Giurgiu–Ruse and Calafat–Vidin crossings are in operation. As an alternative, you can use the transit route through Moldova; in that case the crossing is Reni–Giurgiulești. It is convenient for travellers from Odesa. You can drive your own car or use a transfer service. In the latter case, a car can be booked for an individual trip or for a group. The advantage of this option is the low price. The drawback is a tiring and lengthy journey. The trip will take around 20 hours. In some cases it is advisable to plan an overnight stop in advance, together with the hotel and the associated costs.
• The Kyiv–Sofia flight operates from Monday to Thursday. 
• Flights via Istanbul. A convenient and relatively inexpensive option. On Tuesdays and Saturdays you can fly to Sabiha from Kyiv, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Lviv. There are daily flights from Kharkiv. You can reach the Republic of Bulgaria from Istanbul International Airport by booking an individual or group transfer. This option is particularly popular among property owners in Burgas and the Burgas region.  

In summer 2020, the Lviv–Burgas and Kharkiv–Burgas flights enjoyed considerable interest from tourists. Routes for summer 2021 have not yet been announced; this is expected to happen a little later. If it does, for many people this will be the ideal option – it will be possible to reach your home in Bulgaria in 3–4 hours, including customs formalities.

To learn how to get to Bulgaria by ferry, read our article "Ferry to Bulgaria from Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia in 2021 – News". 

From Russia and Israel

As of the beginning of 2021, a restriction is in force under which only those who hold residence permit, permanent residence, or long-term residence status in Bulgaria, together with their family members, official state representatives, transit passengers, and staff of humanitarian missions can travel from Russia to Bulgaria. Documents may also be arranged for travel for medical treatment.

Direct air links between the two countries have been temporarily suspended because of the restrictive measures introduced. In addition, the Russian government has imposed a further restriction – persons with dual citizenship, a residence permit, permanent residence, or long-term residence may leave the country to visit a state with which air links are prohibited only once. However, this applies only to air travel and does not concern countries to which flights do operate. 

As a result, at the start of the year the most popular way to get out of Russia is by flying from Krasnodar or Moscow to Istanbul. Flights operate every day. From Sabiha airport, travellers reach Burgas or Varna by taxi.

Incidentally, this route can also be used by those living in Israel. Two airlines fly from Tel Aviv to Istanbul twice a day.

The second option for travel from Russia is longer. It is a road trip through Belarus, Ukraine, and Romania. Many find it tiring, since depending on circumstances and the speed of border crossings, the journey takes 3 days.

This option is also suitable for owners and buyers of property from Belarus. 

In some cases it is advisable to use a route that bypasses Ukraine. It runs through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. 

In January, reports appeared in the press that Burgas and Varna are ready to resume air links with several Russian cities. If this happens, direct flights will connect Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Kazan with the Bulgarian Black Sea resorts, and property owners will finally be able to fly home.

From Kazakhstan

The same restrictions apply to citizens of Kazakhstan as to Russians. Without the right to temporary or permanent residence in Bulgaria, entry into the country is not possible. For this reason there are no direct flights.

The best option is the Almaty–Istanbul flight. Flights to Sabiha International Airport operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 

Another option is to fly from Almaty to Kyiv. From the Ukrainian capital to Bulgaria – by road transport. The flight operates on Saturdays. 

In some cases a cheaper option is a flight along the Almaty–Minsk–Kyiv route and then a transfer to Bulgarian cities. 

The situation with the restrictions introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic is constantly changing, and therefore Bulgaria Avenue recommends checking all options before travelling. From time to time countries impose bans on border crossings and then lift them, ask travellers for PCR tests, and then drop that requirement. We hope that in the near future regular air links will be restored with all countries, all restrictions will be lifted, and anyone who wishes to will be able to come to Bulgaria.

The Bulgaria Avenue real estate agency organises familiarisation tours to Bulgaria for those wishing to buy property. Get in touch – we are here for you!