Route guide

Vilnius → Sofia

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

How to travel from Vilnius to Sofia

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

🚄Train

€95–281

Duration: 11h 10m

via LTG Link, BDŽ

~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

Vilnius and Sofia 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 Lithuania into Bulgaria. 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.

Vilnius to Sofia — every option in detail

Vilnius to Sofia by train

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

Operators on this corridor include LTG Link, BDŽ.

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.

Vilnius to Sofia by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Vilnius and Sofia 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.

Vilnius to Sofia by flight

Flights between Vilnius and Sofia 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.

Vilnius to Sofia by car

The driving distance from Vilnius to Sofia 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 Lithuania–Bulgaria 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 Vilnius and Sofia 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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