Burgas Airport (BOJ) is about 12 km from Burgas city center and 25 km from Sunny Beach. Bulgaria is one of Europe's most affordable countries, and airport transfers reflect that.
Cost breakdown by transport type
| Option | To Burgas Center | To Sunny Beach | To Nessebar | To Sozopol | |--------|-----------------|----------------|-------------|------------| | Bus 15 | 1.50 BGN (0.75 EUR) | Not direct | Not direct | Not direct | | Taxi (metered) | 15-25 BGN (8-13 EUR) | 50-70 BGN (25-36 EUR) | 45-65 BGN (23-33 EUR) | 55-80 BGN (28-41 EUR) | | Private transfer | 20-30 EUR | 40-70 EUR | 35-60 EUR | 45-75 EUR |
What affects the price
Taxi meters in Bulgaria run on a per-kilometer basis with a small base fare. The rate is posted on the window — check before getting in. Legitimate taxis charge around 0.80-1.00 BGN per km during the day and slightly more at night.
Traffic between the airport and Sunny Beach can add 10-15 minutes in peak summer, but it rarely affects the metered fare dramatically.
The cheapest option
Bus 15 costs just 1.50 BGN and runs every 20-30 minutes during the day in summer. It takes you to Burgas central bus station in about 25 minutes. From there, you can connect to Sunny Beach or Nessebar, but the total journey time stretches to 60-90 minutes with a transfer and wait.
The most practical option
For resort destinations (Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol), a pre-booked private transfer is the most practical choice. Prices are fixed, the driver meets you at arrivals, and you go directly to your hotel. For a family of four, the per-person cost works out to 10-18 EUR each to Sunny Beach — not much more than a bus when you factor in convenience.
Hidden costs to watch for
Taxi scams at BOJ are not rampant but they exist. The common trick is quoting a flat fare in euros instead of using the meter. A driver might say "30 euros to Sunny Beach" when the metered fare would be around 50-60 BGN (25-30 EUR). Always ask for the meter.
Currency exchange at the airport gives worse rates than ATMs. Withdraw BGN from the ATM outside arrivals to pay for taxis at the correct rate.
Bottom line
Burgas to city center is genuinely cheap — under 13 EUR by any method. Resort transfers cost more due to distance but remain affordable by European standards. Pre-booking locks in a price and removes the guesswork.