If you fly into Burgas, Sunny Beach is only about 40 km (roughly 45 minutes) away. If you land in Sofia, it is about 415 km and around 4 h 15 min to Sunny Beach – in summer heat, with luggage and a dog that has just spent hours in a crate. This guide covers preparing your dog, packing, breaks on the road and arrival. If you would rather not drive, YesTrans takes you and your dog from the airport or your door to your hotel or apartment, in a private car.
Call or message us: +359 897 227 771 (Viber, WhatsApp) · Book online · no prepayment
Plan ahead before you travel
Most of the work is done before the day you leave. If you are coming from abroad, check the entry requirements for pets with official sources and with your airline in good time – they are your responsibility as the owner, and they can take weeks to arrange. Your airline will also tell you which crate it accepts and how your dog will travel on the plane.
Next, confirm your accommodation. Pet policies are different in every hotel, guesthouse and apartment, so ask the host directly whether dogs are welcome, whether there is a size limit and where you can walk the dog nearby. Ask the same about the beach – the host or the local tourist information can tell you which parts of the shore are suitable for a walk with a dog.
Finally, get the dog used to the car or crate. A few short drives in the week before the holiday and a crate left open at home with a favourite blanket inside make a big difference on the day.
What to pack for your dog
A separate bag just for the dog saves a lot of searching on the way. These things are useful almost every time:
- Water and a collapsible bowl – keep them in the car with you, not in the boot.
- Lead and collar with your phone number – the dog always leaves the car on a lead.
- A towel or blanket for the seat – it protects the seat from hair, sand and wet paws, and gives the dog a familiar smell.
- Poo bags and wet wipes – for stops on the road and the first walk by the sea.
- The food your dog is used to – changing food on holiday often upsets the stomach.
- A favourite toy – it helps the dog settle in a new place.
- The dog’s documents and any medication – in your hand luggage, not in the suitcase.
The crate or carrier is yours to bring. In a car, your dog is calmer and safer in something it already knows.
When to travel
In July and August, the best time to travel with a dog is early in the morning or in the evening. It is cooler, the roads around the resorts are quieter, and stops for a walk are more pleasant. At midday, the tarmac at petrol stations and car parks can get hot enough to hurt the paws.
Feed your dog at least three hours before setting off, not right before. Do not hold back water. A good walk just before departure helps the dog to settle in the car.
On the road: breaks, water and air conditioning
From Sofia to the coast is a long drive, and your dog will need one or two breaks. A rule that works for most dogs: a short stop every two to three hours, and more often with puppies, older dogs or on a very hot day.
- Stop where there is grass – the motorway has petrol stations and lay-bys where the dog can stretch its legs for a few minutes.
- Offer water at every stop – a little and often rather than a lot at once.
- Never leave the dog alone in the car – not even for a few minutes, not even in the shade.
- Keep windows closed or only slightly open – no head out of the window at speed.
- Stay calm – dogs read their owners’ mood very well.
When you travel with us, just tell the driver when your dog needs a stop. All cars are air-conditioned, and on a long route the driver will suggest a break anyway.
Car, train or bus with a dog?
Public transport to the coast can be difficult with a dog: muzzle and crate rules, separate tickets, changes, waiting and crowds – and with a large dog it is often not an option at all. By car is the easiest way. If you have no car in Bulgaria or simply do not want to drive for hours in the summer heat, a private transfer gets you there without the driving. The car is only for you – no other passengers, no changes, no bus stations.
How YesTrans transfers work with a dog
We carry dogs and cats only together with their owner or the person looking after them – we never transport animals on their own. When you book, tell us what animal is travelling, roughly how big it is and whether it will be in a crate or a carrier. We choose the vehicle accordingly.
- A large fleet – around 200 sedans, 50 minivans, 100 vans and 20 S/E-class cars. A small dog fits in a sedan; a large dog in a crate or a family with lots of luggage travels in a minivan or van.
- Unlimited waiting if your flight is late – we track the flight and the driver waits.
- 24/7 – early morning and late night flights included.
- Child seats at no extra charge.
- No prepayment – you pay after the ride.
More about our pet transfers is on pet-friendly transfers in Bulgaria. If you are landing at the coast, see Burgas and Varna airport transfers with a pet; if you land in Sofia, see Sofia Airport transfer with a dog. Our regular coast transfers: Burgas Airport – Sunny Beach, Burgas Airport – Nessebar, Burgas Airport – Sozopol and Varna Airport – Golden Sands.
The first hours by the sea
After you arrive, give your dog time to look around. Walk it around the place you are staying, show it where the water is and where it will sleep, and put down the blanket that travelled with you. A familiar smell helps a lot.
Take it easy with the beach on the first day. Sand and pavements get hot at noon, and sun and salt water tire a dog quickly. The nicest walks along the shore are early in the morning and in the evening. Always carry fresh water – dogs should not drink sea water.
The way back
Plan the return the same way: early or late, with water, breaks and a towel for the seat. You can book the transfer in both directions with your first booking, so the car is waiting at your hotel on the day you leave. For more general tips, read our guide taxi with a dog in Bulgaria – what to know.
Call or message us: +359 897 227 771 (Viber, WhatsApp) · Book online · no prepayment
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Burgas Airport to Sunny Beach?
About 40 km, roughly 45 minutes. From Sofia Airport to Sunny Beach it is about 415 km and around 4 h 15 min without stops.
How often should I stop with my dog?
For most dogs a short stop every two to three hours is enough; more often with puppies, older dogs or in hot weather. Just tell the driver.
Does my dog need a crate in the car?
Your dog travels in a crate or a carrier. The crate or carrier is yours to bring.
Can you transport my dog without me?
No. We carry pets only together with their owner or the person looking after them.
Can you take a large dog?
Yes. Tell us the size when booking and we will send a minivan or van with enough room for the crate.
When do I pay?
After the ride. We do not ask for prepayment. You can see the price in advance in the calculator on this page.
What if my flight is delayed?
The driver waits for you. Waiting time for a delayed flight is unlimited.