Velingrad is a spa town in a green valley of the Western Rhodopes, known for its mineral springs. Most guests arrive through Sofia Airport. A YesTrans sedan, minivan or van waits for you at arrivals and drives you to the entrance of your spa hotel.
There is no direct public transport from the airport to Velingrad, and a journey by bus or train means several changes. With a private transfer you leave when you want and pay after the ride.
Price for the whole vehicle · no prepayment · pay after the ride
Sofia Airport → Velingrad
- Distance: approx. 140 km
- Driving time: approx. 2 hours 15 minutes
- Price: see the calculator, per vehicle
The road from Sofia Airport to Velingrad
From Sofia Airport the route goes around the city and then follows the Trakia motorway to the south-east, across the Thracian Plain. Before reaching Plovdiv the road turns south towards the mountains. The last part of the trip follows a valley up into the Rhodopes, with forests, rivers and small villages along the way, until you reach Velingrad.
The distance is about 140 km and the drive takes roughly two hours and fifteen minutes. The mountain section is winding but well used, and in winter our drivers are prepared for the road conditions. If you would like a coffee stop on the way, just tell the driver.
Velingrad – spa, mineral water and mountain air
Velingrad is often called the spa capital of the Balkans. The town grew from several villages, and today it has many hotels with indoor and outdoor mineral pools, spa centres and treatment programmes. Around the town there are parks, forest paths and the well-known Kleptuza karst spring, which forms a small lake in the centre of a park.
Many guests come to Velingrad for a week of rest or treatment, others combine it with a city break in Sofia or Plovdiv. If you would like to visit Plovdiv during your stay or travel on to another resort, we can arrange that too – one phone call or message is enough.
How the Sofia Airport to Velingrad transfer works
- Book in advance. Call us, send a WhatsApp or Viber message to +359 897 227 771, or use the online booking form. Tell us your flight number, the date and time of arrival, the address in Velingrad, how many people are travelling and how much luggage you have.
- Your flight is late? We wait. If the plane is delayed, waiting at the airport is unlimited. You do not pay for a late flight and you do not have to call us from the baggage hall.
- Meet your driver at Sofia Airport arrivals. The driver helps with the suitcases and loads everything into the vehicle.
- Straight to your door. One vehicle, only your group, no stops at other hotels. You get out at the entrance of your accommodation in Velingrad.
- Pay after the ride. There is no prepayment, and you do not need to give card details to make a booking.
Which vehicle to choose
We work with around 200 sedans, 50 minivans, 100 vans and 20 Mercedes S- and E-Class cars, and we are available 24/7. The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person, so it gets cheaper per head the more of you there are.
- Couple or small family – a sedan for two or three people with suitcases.
- Family with children and a pushchair – a minivan; child seats are free of charge.
- Groups of friends, team trips and weddings – a van for everyone and all the luggage in one trip.
- Business trips – a Mercedes S- or E-Class.
Spa guests often travel with older relatives; a minivan is easier to get in and out of and leaves plenty of room for luggage. For a quieter car on the mountain road, ask for a Mercedes S- or E-Class.
Price
The price is fixed for the whole vehicle and depends only on the type of car you choose – sedan, minivan, van or Mercedes S/E-Class. There are no hidden extras for luggage, child seats or a delayed flight. To see the current price for the Sofia Airport – Velingrad route, use the calculator on this page – just pick the vehicle. You can also send us a WhatsApp message with the date, the number of passengers and the luggage, and we will confirm the price for your trip. You pay after the ride, in the car.
Tips for your trip
- Give us the name of your spa hotel – Velingrad is spread out along the valley and the hotels are in different parts of town.
- If you need help with luggage or are travelling with someone with limited mobility, tell us when you book.
- Child seats are free of charge; tell us the ages of the children.
- Arriving late in the evening? We work 24/7, and many hotels can arrange a late check-in if you tell them in advance.
- Book the return transfer to Sofia Airport together with your arrival.
Travelling with a dog or cat
Many taxis refuse animals, but with YesTrans your dog or cat can travel with you on the Sofia Airport – Velingrad route. When you book, tell us what kind of animal it is, roughly how big it is and whether it travels in a crate or a carrier. This helps us send the right vehicle, so the crate fits safely next to your luggage. On a drive of more than two hours, a short break for your dog is no problem – just ask the driver.
Please note: we transport pets only together with their owner (or a person who looks after them and travels in the same car). The crate or carrier is provided by you, the customer. Read more about how it works on our pet-friendly transfers in Bulgaria page.
More transfers in Bulgaria
- Sofia Airport to Bansko transfer
- Sofia Airport to Borovets transfer
- Sofia Airport to Plovdiv transfer
- Sofia Airport to Pamporovo transfer
- Burgas Airport to Sunny Beach transfer
- Burgas Airport to Nessebar transfer
- Burgas Airport to Sozopol transfer
- Varna Airport to Golden Sands transfer
- Burgas Airport to Sveti Vlas transfer
- Burgas Airport to Primorsko transfer
- Burgas Airport to Obzor transfer
- Sofia Airport to Sunny Beach transfer
Travelling with an animal? All our pet-friendly routes are on the pet-friendly transfers in Bulgaria page. To book any transfer, use the online booking form or call +359 897 227 771 – by phone, Viber or WhatsApp.
Check the price for your vehicle
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Sofia Airport to Velingrad?
The distance is about 140 km and the drive usually takes around two hours and fifteen minutes.
Is there public transport from Sofia Airport to Velingrad?
There is no direct connection. You would need to change between buses or trains, which is why most guests choose a private transfer.
Do I have to pay in advance?
No. There is no prepayment and no deposit. You pay after the ride.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
We wait. Waiting at the airport is unlimited when your flight is late, and it costs you nothing extra.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, child seats are free of charge. Tell us the ages of the children when you book so we can prepare the right seats.
Can I bring my dog or cat?
Yes. Pets travel only together with their owner, and the crate or carrier is yours. Tell us the size of the animal when you book so we send a suitable vehicle.