Route guide

Sofia → Vilnius

1341 km · Bulgaria to Lithuania · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €43+ by bus

How to travel from Sofia to Vilnius

There are 4 ways to travel between Sofia and Vilnius — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€95–281

Duration: 11h 10m

via BDŽ, LTG Link

~19 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€43–114

Duration: 19h 9m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~38 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€89–281

Duration: 4h 17m

via Ryanair, easyJet

~209 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€161–295

Duration: 14h 54m

~228 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Sofia and Vilnius highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1341 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Bulgaria into Lithuania. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Sofia to Vilnius — every option in detail

Sofia to Vilnius by train

Trains link Sofia (Bulgaria) and Vilnius (Lithuania) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 11h 10m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include BDŽ, LTG Link.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €95 to €281. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 19 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 209 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~190 kg on this distance.

Sofia to Vilnius by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Sofia and Vilnius with a typical journey of 19h 9m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €43 when booked in advance, rising to €114 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Sofia to Vilnius by flight

Flights between Sofia and Vilnius take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 17m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet.

Typical fare range is €89–281. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 209 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Sofia to Vilnius by car

The driving distance from Sofia to Vilnius is approximately 1542 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 14h 54m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €161–295 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Bulgaria–Lithuania border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 228 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Sofia and Vilnius is approximately 1341 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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