Burgas Airport (BOJ) Guide: Transfers & Resort Travel (2026)

Burgas Airport (BOJ) Terminal Overview & Arrival Tips

Burgas Airport operates out of a single modern terminal, referred to as Terminal 2 for international flights. The layout is compact and easy to navigate after passport control and baggage reclaim. Clear bilingual signs in English and Bulgarian guide arrivals toward ground transport, taxis, and the exit circle.

You will find currency exchange desks and ATMs immediately after clearing customs. The exchange desks at the airport offer less favourable rates than in town — use ATMs to withdraw Bulgarian Lev (BGN) instead, and notify your bank before travel to avoid card blocks. Free Wi-Fi is available in the arrivals hall; use it to contact your driver or confirm bus times before you step outside.

The arrivals hall feeds directly into the main exit. Private transfer drivers wait inside the hall holding name signs, which makes them easy to spot before you reach the taxi rank. For a broader overview of getting around once you are settled, see our guide to Burgas Transportation.

Distance and Travel Time to Sunny Beach, Nessebar & Sozopol

The airport sits in the Sarafovo district, north of Burgas city centre. It has quick access onto the E87 coastal highway, which makes the northern resorts faster to reach than those to the south.

Sunny Beach is approximately 30 kilometres from the terminal, a 25–30 minute drive in normal traffic. Nessebar sits roughly 25 kilometres away and takes 25 minutes. Sozopol lies south of the city at around 35 kilometres, requiring 40–50 minutes because the route passes through Burgas itself.

During peak summer (July–August), these times can double. The afternoon window of 14:00–18:00 is the worst — resort-bound traffic on the Burgas–Sunny Beach road routinely backs up at the Nessebar junction. If your flight lands between 13:00 and 17:00 on a Saturday in high season, budget an extra 20–30 minutes. Shoulder months (May, June, September) are typically 10–15 minutes faster for all three destinations. Check our Burgas vs Sunny Beach: Which Black Sea Base to Choose? comparison for more on location trade-offs.

Transport Options: Private Transfer, Bus, or Taxi?

There are three practical ways to leave the airport: public bus, metered taxi, and pre-booked private transfer. Each suits a different traveller type and arrival scenario.

Public Bus Line 15 is the cheapest option at 1.50 BGN (~€0.75) per ticket, paid in cash directly to the driver — no card payment, no online booking. The stop is at the roundabout (circle) outside the terminal entrance, a five-minute walk from the exit doors. Do not look for it at the terminal exit itself; follow the pavement around to the left until you reach the bus circle. Buses run roughly every 20–30 minutes and terminate at Burgas central bus station. From there, you need a second bus or taxi to reach Sunny Beach, Nessebar, or Sozopol. The full journey including the transfer can take 90–120 minutes. Bus Line 15 stops running around 23:00; no services run after that point.

Metered taxis wait at the designated rank outside the terminal. Official licensed taxis (look for the yellow "T" sticker and illuminated meter) are legitimate and available 24 hours a day. Fares to Sunny Beach typically run 55–80 BGN (~€28–€41) by meter, depending on traffic. The issue is unofficial touts — drivers without meters who approach you inside the terminal or at the exit ramp and quote EUR prices. These quotes are routinely 2–3 times the metered rate. Always walk past the exit and go directly to the official rank.

Pre-booked private transfers are door-to-door and include meet-and-greet inside the arrivals hall. Fixed pricing means no meter surprises. Drivers track your flight live, so delays do not result in missed pickups. Prices start around 40 BGN (~€20) to Burgas city and 60–70 BGN (~€31–€36) to Sunny Beach or Nessebar for a standard car of up to four passengers. For a full rundown of getting around the wider area, visit our Best Day Trips from Burgas guide.

The Airport Taxi Surcharge Trap — and How to Avoid It

The single most common complaint from first-time arrivals at BOJ is overpaying for a taxi. Unofficial drivers target newly landed tourists in the arrivals hall before they reach the exit. They quote fares in EUR — typically €50–€80 to Sunny Beach — which sounds plausible to someone who has just left a Western European airport. The metered rate for the same trip in BGN is the equivalent of €28–€41.

Two rules protect you. First, never accept a fare quoted inside the terminal or at the exit ramp. Second, if you use the official taxi rank, always ask the driver to run the meter and agree that payment will be in BGN. Bulgaria's lev is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 1.956 BGN per EUR, so the arithmetic is straightforward. Paying in BGN from an ATM withdrawal will almost always be cheaper than paying in EUR at an informally agreed rate.

Pre-booked private transfers eliminate this risk entirely because the price is confirmed in writing before you land. Cards and cash in both EUR and BGN are accepted by most transfer companies at the quoted fixed rate. If you prefer the flexibility of taxis, use the Sofia To Burgas Travel Guide page for context on typical Bulgarian ground transport pricing.

Which Option Should You Choose? (Best for Families vs. Budget)

Families with young children should book a private transfer. Most reputable providers offer child seats at no extra cost if you request one at the time of booking — specify the child's age so the correct seat type is prepared. A pre-booked van or minibus is also far more manageable than loading a stroller onto a crowded public bus.

Solo travellers and budget-conscious couples arriving in daylight will find Bus Line 15 perfectly workable. Carry 2–3 BGN in coins for the ticket and a small bag you can manage on foot. The walk to the bus circle is flat and signposted.

Groups of five or more get the best per-head price from a private minibus transfer. A Mercedes Viano-type vehicle carrying eight passengers typically costs only marginally more than two standard taxis — and you arrive together. Larger groups such as wedding parties can book a full coach through specialist shuttle services.

Late-night arrivals (after 23:00) have no bus option. Use a pre-booked private transfer or the official taxi rank. Pre-booking is safer because you have a confirmed driver and fixed price before you land. Reviewing the Best Areas to Stay in Burgas (2026 Guide) in advance helps you provide an exact drop-off address when booking.

Meet & Greet: How Private Transfers Work at BOJ

When you book a private transfer, the driver waits inside the arrivals hall holding a card with your name. You do not need to go to the taxi rank or call anyone — simply look for your name sign among the row of drivers standing beyond the baggage reclaim exit.

Reputable providers monitor flights in real time. If your inbound flight is delayed by two hours, your driver adjusts the pickup time at no extra charge. This real-time tracking is a key advantage over taxis, which will not wait indefinitely at the rank.

Standard vehicles seat up to four passengers with luggage. If your group is larger, specify this when booking: a six-seat MPV or eight-seat minibus is typically available at a slightly higher fixed price. After you meet your driver, they handle luggage and lead you directly to the parking area — there is no additional walking through the airport. Booking a few days in advance is sufficient outside peak season; during July and August, book at least one week ahead to guarantee a vehicle.

Book Your Burgas Airport Transfer: 2026 Pricing & Vehicles

The following price ranges reflect 2026 market rates for pre-booked private transfers from BOJ. All prices are per vehicle, not per person, and include meet-and-greet and flight tracking.

• Burgas city centre — standard car (up to 4 pax): 40–50 BGN (~€20–€26)
• Sunny Beach — standard car (up to 4 pax): 60–70 BGN (~€31–€36) / from €39 per car with some providers
• Nessebar — standard car (up to 4 pax): 55–65 BGN (~€28–€33)
• Sozopol — standard car (up to 4 pax): 65–80 BGN (~€33–€41)
• MPV / microbus (up to 6 pax): roughly 20–30% more than the standard car rate
• Minibus (up to 8 pax): roughly 40–50% more than the standard car rate

Taxi rank fares to Sunny Beach by meter run 55–80 BGN (~€28–€41). Bus Line 15 to Burgas city is 1.50 BGN (~€0.75) plus a second bus or taxi for resort destinations. Cards and cash in EUR or BGN are accepted by transfer companies; the bus requires BGN coins only.

To get a confirmed quote, use the online calculator offered by most transfer providers — enter your destination and group size for an instant fixed price. Provide your flight number and arrival time so the driver can monitor your schedule. You will receive a confirmation with the driver's name, vehicle, and contact number. Keep a screenshot of the voucher on your phone as proof of booking.

Essential Tips for Navigating Burgas Airport (BOJ)

The terminal is compact, which means queues at passport control and baggage reclaim can back up quickly when several flights land within the same hour. This is common on Saturday afternoons in high season. Allow 20–30 minutes from touchdown to the exit during peak weeks.

The Burgas Airport official website carries live arrival and departure data. Check it before leaving your accommodation to confirm your outbound flight status. For Line 15 bus schedules and intercity connections, the Burgas Bus Station (Avtogara) website is the most up-to-date source.

• Carry 5–10 BGN in cash for bus tickets or small purchases — card readers are not available on Line 15.
• The bus circle is outside and to the left of the main exit; it is not visible from the terminal doors.
• Walk past unofficial taxi touts at the exit; head directly to the marked rank with illuminated meters.
• Withdraw BGN from the airport ATM rather than exchanging cash at the desk; rates are better.
• Download an offline map of Burgas before you land in case you have no data signal on arrival.
• Pre-booked transfer drivers hold name signs inside the arrivals hall — you do not need to go outside first.

Consider spending a night or two in Burgas before heading to the resorts. The city has a relaxed seafront, good restaurants, and is far less crowded than Sunny Beach. Read our guide on how many days to spend in Burgas to plan your time wisely.