Journey to Greece through Bulgaria 2026. New bypass around Sofia, 20% lower costs and important info: EES control only at the Serbia-Bulgaria border. Travel faster!

Travel plan for the summer of 2026.

The route to Greece through Bulgaria is recommended primarily for those traveling to Thassos and Kavala (and resorts near Kavala). This way, you can also go to Stavros and Asprovalta, as well as to Athos (Jerisos, Nea Roda, Uranopolis).

Belgrade (Bubanj Potok) - Dimitrovgrad - Sofia - Kulata (Promahonas) - Seres - Kavala - Keramoti - Limenas

729km
The shortest and cheapest route. By traveling through Bulgaria, the journey from Belgrade is shortened by 85km, and from Nis by 100km. For those traveling from the Negotin area, the journey to Greece will be shortened by an incredible 160km in one direction.

News: transit through Sofia 2026: Two options for passage

When coming from the direction of Serbia (Kalotina), at the entrance to Sofia, you have a choice that can determine the rest of your journey:

Option 1: “Through the city” route (Western arc)

This is the route that navigation often first offers. It takes you through the western suburbs, past the Metro and Jumbo stores. Although it may be shorter in kilometers, be prepared for:

  • Numerous traffic lights and congestion during peak hours.
  • Strict speed limits (often 40 km/h).
  • Time loss that can last up to 40 minutes longer compared to the bypass.

Option 2: Complete Bypass (North - East - South)

This is a modern, fast route without a single traffic light that is completely finished and connected in 2026.
Main junctions and signs to follow:
Junction 1: Entrance to the Northern tangent - immediately after detaching from the “Europe” highway (A7).

  • Do not turn at the first local exits for the city.
  • Follow the direction for Varna (green signs).
  • This leads you to the Northern express tangent with three lanes.

Junction 2: Transition to the Eastern bypass (Cherno Konche Loop)
When the tangent ends, you come to a large fork.

  • Here, choose the RIGHT turn following the direction to Plovdiv / Svilengrad (A1).
  • This is a crucial moment that shifts you towards the south.

Junction 3: Southern transit (Direction Kulata).

  • You are now on a wide road that bypasses the city from the east and south.
  • Ignore exits to local places like Kazichene and Lozen.
  • Follow only green signs that say Kulata (E79).

Final loop: Entrance to the A3 highway (Struma).

  • On the western part of the city, near the Ljulin loop (after Suhodol), the road directly merges you onto the beginning of the A3 highway.
  • On a large sign above the road, you will see confirmation: Blagoevgrad / Kulata.
  • From here to the border, you have a clear highway.

Why is this route now a better option?

For a long time, unfinished sections deterred our tourists from this route, but in 2026, the situation is completely different. Most of the work has been completed, and the journey to Thassos has become faster and more pleasant.

New sections

Kalotina - Dragoman: from May 2023, the section towards Sofia was opened.
Bypass around Sofia is completely finished.
Blagoevgrad - Simitli: About 10 km with two new, modernized tunnels.

2026 - Belgrade → Greece through Bulgaria

Highway from Belgrade/Novi Sad to Dimitrovgrad – full profile, excellent condition.
From the Kalotina border to Sofia – bypass around Sofia, highway, high quality and new.
From Sofia towards Blagoevgrad – highway.
Section Simitli → Kresna (Kresna Gorge) – main road, as the highway is not yet completed.
From Kresna to Kulata (border crossing with Greece) – back to the highway (Struma), full profile.

In other words, the only “bottleneck” in terms of a main road is the Kresna Gorge, while the rest of the route is a highway.

Calculation: 20% lower costs

When you add it all up, the journey through Bulgaria offers significant savings:

  • Shorter distance and lower fuel consumption: due to the mileage and speed limits, you consume less fuel.
  • Cheaper tolls:
    the toll is favorable, with no toll booths and delays on them (see details about buying vignettes), and
    the green card is not required.
  • More affordable break stops: accommodation and food in Bulgaria are cheaper if you decide to stay overnight.

Speed and safety on the road

Speed limits: the general speed on the highway is 140 km/h, in tunnels 80 km/h. Be very careful – speed cameras are often placed immediately at the exit of the tunnels.

Documents

An international driver’s license is not required.

Border crossings Kalotina and Kulata - important information for 2026

As we have written about it, from 2026, the unified EES passenger registration system comes into force at the border crossings. More about the EES system.

At the Kalotina border crossing, the situation is as follows:

For passenger vehicles, there are three lanes:

  • Two lanes are intended for non-EU vehicles – the EES system is implemented in them (passenger scanning and registration).
  • One lane is intended for vehicles with EU license plates – without EES passenger scanning and registration.

Border crossing Kulata - Promahonas

This border crossing is no longer in operation since Bulgaria became a member of the Schengen area.
There are no more delays at the border from entering Bulgaria to the resorts.

Vignettes - tolls

It is mandatory to purchase a vignette as soon as you enter Bulgaria. There is video surveillance on highways, and fines are high.
Read in detail about buying vignettes and prices here: Where and how to buy a vignette for tolls through Bulgaria.
Read in detail about tolls in our article HERE.

Where to take a break or stay overnight in Bulgaria?

The road to Thassos and Kavala offers fantastic options for relaxation that are often much more affordable than in Greece. Based on our experience, here are the best rest stops:

1. Sandanski Spa - Ideal for recovery

If you want to combine your journey with health, Sandanski is a great choice. Accommodation is very affordable, and the city is known for its healing water and clean air. It’s the perfect suggestion to stay here, relax in one of the pools, and in the morning, cross the border only 20 km away.

2. Bansko - Mountain peace before the sea

Although known as a ski resort, Bansko is a beautiful place for a break in the summer and transitional periods.

  • Our recommendation: Book accommodation here, take a walk in the old town in the evening, and after a rich mountain breakfast, continue your journey.
  • You can read more detailed tips about accommodation in this area in our blog: Accommodation on the way to Greece through Bulgaria.

3. Rila Monastery - Spiritual and visual break

If you don’t just want to “rush” past Sofia, turning towards the Rila Monastery is something you shouldn’t miss. It is the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria, under the protection of UNESCO.

4. Additional ideas for a break

20 minutes after entering Greece, you can take a break in a beautiful environment full of greenery and shade at the Oasis restaurant.

Check out other useful articles for your journey through Bulgaria to Thassos or Kavala:

By car to Thassos through Bulgaria
Route through Bulgaria to Thassos
Travel to Thassos and Kavala through Bansko and Drama
Route to Thassos through Bulgaria - border crossings Novo Selo/Zlatarevo and Kulata/Promahonas
Accommodation on the way to Greece through Bulgaria

Find the largest selection of accommodation on Thassos HERE.

Find everything you are interested in about Thassos in our Guide at the links below:
General information
Car & Moto
Food and drinks
Beaches
Places
What to see
Supply and shopping