We recommend the route to Greece primarily for those traveling to Thassos and Kavala (and resorts near Kavala). This route also leads to Stavros and Asprovalta, as well as to Mount Athos (Jerisos, Nea Roda, Uranopolis).

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

729km - tolls in one direction €11.50

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

Unfinished sections deter many of our tourists from this route, but the route through Bulgaria to Thassos is overall a better option. The good news is that about ten days ago (May 2023), there was a solemn opening of the section between Kalotina and Dragoman (direction to Sofia). The detour between Blagoevgrad and Simitli is still ongoing (they say until the beginning of summer) due to landslide repairs near the Zeleznica tunnel. The most challenging section for highway construction is from Simitli to the village of Kresna, which they haven’t started yet because it involves the valley of the Struma River surrounded by high hills, and it is expected to be completed in a few years.

Considering everything - shorter distance, lower fuel consumption due to speed limits, cheaper tolls, lower accommodation costs if you decide to stay in Bulgaria, no need for a green card - expect to have at least 20% lower expenses by taking this route. The highway is completed, and from Novi Sad or Belgrade to Dimitrovgrad, you can drive on the highway. The Sofia ring road is also completed.

The highway is in excellent condition, even though some sections were built ten years ago. The speed limit is 140 km/h, and at the tunnel entrances, it is 80 km/h (be cautious - speed cameras await at the tunnel exits).

It is mandatory to purchase a vignette for roads in Bulgaria. There is video surveillance that enforces this obligation. You can buy an electronic vignette through (https://web.bgtoll.bg/), install the mobile application, register, and pay electronically, selecting the option that suits you for how many days. You don’t have to stick the sticker on the windshield; the cameras read it through the system to check if you have paid, and it is sufficient to keep the email as confirmation.

About 30 kilometers from Sofia, there is a Shell gas station and rest area for a short break.

When you reach the outskirts of Sofia, follow the sign “Kulata,” which will appear at an intersection with a traffic light where you turn right (after Metro and Jumbo stores). Kulata is the border crossing with Greece. From Sofia to the Greek border crossing - Kulata/Promahonas, there is a section of excellent newly built highway. Then, you continue on the main road all the way to Sandanski, which is well done and well marked but quite busy with trucks and reckless drivers. It’s somewhat similar to the Ibar highway, except the road in Bulgaria is of higher quality, but the drivers have surpassed our drivers in recklessness. Who knows how it would be without numerous police patrols and a series of traffic signs indicating “black spots.”

From the Serbian-Bulgarian border to the Greek border, the total distance is 225km.
There are several gas stations with rest areas along the road in Bulgaria. The fuel prices are similar to those in Serbia, with diesel being slightly cheaper and gasoline and gas slightly more expensive. However, everything is significantly cheaper than in Greece (20-25% cheaper), so you will save the most by filling up the tanks to the top when leaving Bulgaria. At larger gas stations in Bulgaria, you can pay with cards or, of course, in euros, but not all of them will convert 1.95 leva to 1€. Therefore, if you don’t have cards, it is best to exchange the necessary amount of euros to leva at the currency exchange offices at the border crossings.
Respect the speed limits in populated areas as there are many police officers, as well as unmarked speed bumps.

International driver’s licenses are no longer required.

Where to make a break or sleep in Bulgaria?

When returning from Thassos and if traveling through Bulgaria, I suggest you stay overnight in Rila, which is located 273km from Keramoti. If you leave in the morning after breakfast from your accommodation in Thassos and board the ferry around noon, you will arrive in Rila between 4-5 pm. From the main road, after Blagoevgrad, you turn towards Rila, which is about 10km away from the turn. It is a small town where signs lead you to the very decent Hotel Kentaur, where you can stay for €31 in a double room or €44 in a quadruple room, with breakfast and very kind hosts. The hotel is small, so accommodation should be reserved in advance. If you want even cheaper accommodation, then continue towards Rila Monastery, which is just over 20km away, and along the way, you will come across several small hotels where the accommodation is even cheaper, although not as good as in Kentaur. As soon as you settle into the hotel, head towards the monastery, which is open to visitors until 7 pm (although the main gate is open even after that time…).

You can visit the monastery the next day as well; you have plenty of time because it will take you about 6 hours of travel from there to Belgrade. Therefore, it will be an effortless journey.
The Monastery of Saint John of Rila is the most famous and largest monastery in Bulgaria and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can also find an excellent and detailed description of the route by car to Thassos via Bulgaria here.