Pick up your car straight from the terminal and drive to the coast.
Burgas Airport (BOJ) sits 10 km north-east of the city centre, serving the Black Sea coast with heavy charter traffic from June to August. A single terminal handles arrivals, and your rental car waits at the counter or at a meet-and-greet point outside. Road 9101 runs southbound into Burgas in 15 minutes or northbound to Sunny Beach and Nesebar, both popular routes for visitors heading straight to the resorts.
This page focuses on the airport pickup: what happens after you land, where to find your car, and which roads you take the moment you leave the terminal. If you are staying in Burgas city itself and prefer collection there, see the Burgas page. Airport rental suits travellers on tight schedules who want to drive off immediately, skip the bus transfer, and reach the coast while daylight lasts.
We work with local rental companies that station cars at BOJ year-round. The voucher sent after booking tells you whether to meet a driver outside or walk to a desk inside the terminal, along with the company name and phone number. Contracts are signed at the airport, and any pre-existing damage is noted on the spot before you drive away.
Four steps separate baggage claim from the driver's seat. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on queue length and how many documents you bring.
Clear arrivals, collect your luggage, and switch on your phone to check the voucher for the exact meeting point or counter location. If your flight arrives late, the local company tracks the delay through the booking reference.
Look for a driver holding a sign with your name outside the terminal exit, or head to the desk inside if the voucher says counter collection. Present the voucher, your driving licence, and passport. In the search widget above, the "Specify location" field lets you select Burgas Airport (BOJ) to see only airport-based cars.
The company prints a rental agreement listing the car model, fuel policy, and any existing scratches or dents. Walk around the vehicle, check tyres and lights, photograph any damage the staff have not marked. Pay the balance and any deposit or excess reduction if required by that particular car.
Adjust mirrors, connect your phone for navigation, and exit the airport car park onto road 9101. A vignette sticker for motorway A2 can be bought at the airport if you plan to drive north toward Varna. Keep the signed contract and emergency number in the glove box.
Most travellers leave BOJ heading to one of five destinations: the city, two big resorts, a heritage town, or a coastal village. Distances are short, roads are well-marked, and even a small economy hatchback handles the flat terrain easily.
10 km south-west via road 9101, 15 minutes. Take the exit toward the port and Sea Garden. Any car works; a Fiat Panda or Opel Corsa is enough for urban parking and short trips to Sozopol. More on Bulgaria car rental overview for city specifics.
25 km north, 25 minutes on road 9101 and then local roads. Sunny Beach is the largest resort on the coast, with hotels, nightlife, and long sandy stretches. A Hyundai i20 or Renault Clio seats four with luggage. Details at Sunny Beach.
30 km north. Nesebar Old Town occupies a peninsula connected by a narrow causeway where parking fills quickly in summer. A compact car simplifies manoeuvring. Link to Nesebar rental page: /car-rental-nesebar-no-deposit-no-credit-card/ if you prefer a local pickup later.
45 km south via Burgas on road 9101. Sozopol combines an old-town peninsula with modern hotel zones. The road is flat and fast; a Dacia Sandero or Chevrolet Aveo handles it comfortably. See Sozopol for options collected inside the town.
120 km north on motorway A2, around 90 minutes. A vignette is required; buy it at the airport petrol station or from a counter inside the terminal. A Mitsubishi SpaceStar or Peugeot 208 keeps fuel costs low on longer trips.
Economy and compact models dominate the airport fleet, chosen for fuel economy, boot space, and ease of parking in crowded resort streets. Below are typical examples; actual availability depends on season and how far in advance you book.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Aveo | Economy | Solo travellers, couples, short coastal drives |
| Dacia Sandero | Economy | Budget-conscious families, basic needs |
| Fiat Panda | Mini | City parking, narrow streets, minimal luggage |
| Hyundai i20 | Compact | Small groups, resort shuttles, moderate boot space |
| Opel Corsa | Compact | Four passengers, day trips to Nesebar or Sozopol |
| Mitsubishi SpaceStar | Economy | Low fuel consumption, longer drives to Varna |
| Renault Clio | Compact | Reliable for mixed city and motorway use |
| Peugeot 208 | Compact | Comfortable interior, efficient on A2 motorway runs |
These models are examples pulled from the available fleet. The search widget above shows live stock with exact models, fuel policies, and mileage limits. In summer peak, book early to secure the category you need; last-minute availability shrinks as charter flights fill hotels.
Small details smooth the process. Six practical points based on frequent flyer feedback and local rental desk experience:
Selected cars at BOJ let you skip the security hold on your credit card and accept debit cards or cash for the balance. These are independent features: a car with no deposit still carries an excess you pay if damage occurs; a car that accepts debit cards may still require a small refundable hold depending on the model.
Enter your dates in the search widget above and look at each result. The details panel shows "No deposit required" if the supplier waives the hold, and lists accepted payment methods for the balance. Not every car qualifies; smaller economy models and off-season rentals are more likely to skip the deposit. The criteria vary by vehicle, not by category, so check each listing individually.
You pay a booking advance by card through our site when you confirm the reservation. That advance is not a deposit-it is part of the rental cost. At the airport desk, you settle the balance using the method stated in the voucher: debit card, cash, or credit card. If a deposit applies to your chosen car, the desk explains the hold amount and releases it after return. Learn more at payment and advance.
Common questions from travellers collecting cars at BOJ:
Yes, certain cars accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment. The booking page for each vehicle states which payment methods the supplier allows. If only debit cards are listed, ensure your card has enough available balance to cover any hold the company may place.
Check your voucher: it specifies either a counter inside the terminal or a meet-and-greet outside arrivals. If meet-and-greet, a driver will hold a sign with your name. If counter, walk through the terminal to the rental desks near the exit.
Between 15 and 30 minutes from baggage claim to driving off. Peak summer afternoons add queue time at the desk. Have your voucher, licence, and passport ready to speed things up.
Only if you take motorway A2 north toward Varna. Road 9101 to Burgas city, Sunny Beach, Nesebar, and Sozopol does not require a vignette. You can buy the sticker at a counter inside the terminal or at the first petrol station on A2.
Some suppliers offer key-drop boxes for early or late returns. The voucher will state if after-hours return is permitted and where to leave the keys. Always confirm in advance; not every company at BOJ provides this service.
The rental company monitors flight arrivals using your flight number. They adjust the meeting time or desk staffing automatically. If the delay exceeds two hours, call the contact number in your voucher to confirm the new pickup arrangement.
Collect your car the moment you land, skip the transfer bus, and reach Sunny Beach or Sozopol while the sun is still high. The search above shows live availability for BOJ, with transparent terms and flexible cancellation. Book now and drive away confident.