Plovdiv is a small city compared to the capital Sofia, therefore it doesn’t have an internal tram or subway network. Buses and taxis are pretty much the only available public transport but they are more than enough! The public transport vehicles are quite regular and will get you anywhere you need to go, while taxis are on the cheaper side and can be found easily. Here’s everything you need to know about the transport in Plovdiv so you can get from A to B in no time!

Taxis in Plovdiv

What you need to know about taxis in Plovdiv

Taxis in Bulgaria are all painted bright yellow and are usually branded to a particular company. They charge by the kilometre, with an initial fee of anywhere up to 1 lev. You should also keep in mind that the fees are slightly higher during the late-night hours.

Using green transport to travel around Plovdiv

Traffic Taxi is one of the newest transport companies in Plovdiv which offers innovative services and optimal solutions for their clients. They use Hyundai Ionic Hybrid cars which are good for the environment and they also save you money!

Advantages of using Traffic Taxi

• You can book a taxi either by giving them a call (+359 32 99 99) or through their interactive mobile app.
• The app lets you plan your journey, track it live and get a realistic quote of how much it will cost.
• Hourly rental of a car with a driver: this service is very suitable for guests of the city who wish to visit selected sites and locations on the territory of Plovdiv.
• Deliveries by phone or mobile app: custom-made shopping saves time and money. You can order food from your favourite restaurant, products from any store, hypermarket or market, as well as medicines and other supplies. A taxi driver will deliver them to your door.

Here are a few other taxi companies we recommend for getting around Plovdiv:

Eko Taxi: (+359 32 6155); (+359 877 506 155)
Viailet Taxi: (359 32 6160); (+359 888 366 160)
Perfect Taxi: (+359 32 6112); (+359 879 366 112)

Beware of illegitimate taxis!

This is one of the most popular scams in Plovdiv that often leaves tourists overcharged for their journey. All legalized taxi cars are required to have stickers with the price list of the service and use a metre, so this is the first thing you need to take into consideration. Always check if your taxi has a sticker with clearly stated fare prices, a registered company car number and driver ID in a visible place in the car, and make sure that the metre is turned on as you begin your journey. The safest way to get a taxi is by phone – scammers usually reply on accidental pick-ups in the street.

Buses in Plovdiv

The buses in Plovdiv are a quick, convenient and cheap way to travel around the city. Usually, the first buses in the morning start travelling as early as 5:30-6:00 AM and the last ones in the evening run until 10:00-11:00 PM (depending on the season and the day of the week). The ticket price is 1 lev (€0,50) and you buy it on the bus itself.

Easy navigation when using buses

Easyway is a very useful tool that you can use when travelling around Plovdiv by bus. It will automatically calculate your route for you so you will know exactly which bus to take and where to go to get it. The map also has pins with all major central locations as well as interurban bus stations (north and south). Recently, Plovdiv’s public transport system also became available on Google Maps.

Car rental in Plovdiv

If none of these options suits you, or you just prefer driving around – with Plovdiv City Card you get 10% off at Top Rent-A-Car. They are the major car rental company in the country and will provide you with a well-maintained vehicle to make your stay as comfortable as possible. You can book your car directly from the widget below!

Exploring Plovdiv on foot

If you’d prefer to explore the city on foot, you’ll be happy to know that Plovdiv is a pedestrian-friendly town. In fact, most of the centre has been entirely pedestrianized with the main street being the longest car-free zone in all of Europe. Since most of the main sights and attractions are located in the centre, this makes it extremely convenient to get around on foot and see as much as possible.

What can you see on foot?

Visit the Main Pedestrian Street in the city centre. In the beginning of the street, you can visit the beautiful Garden of Tsar Simeon. It’s one of the best places in town for walks and recreation. Further down the street, you can enjoy the numerous shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. They will give you a glimpse into the amazing nightlife of Plovdiv and its delicious cuisine.

From the Main Pedestrian Street, you can also access the Old Town of Plovdiv, Nebet Tepe and the creative district – Kapana. If you go further down you will reach the covered pedestrian bridge over the Maritsa river.

Need information about how to get to Plovdiv, where to stay or what to do? Check out our all-in-one guide for a great stay in Plovdiv >

Now that you know just how easy and convenient the public transport in Plovdiv is, you can enjoy navigating through the city with ease!