Varna buses: lines, tickets and the TTickets app
Varna buses and trolleybuses are run by Gradski Transport and Chensfild. Buy tickets in the TTickets Varna app or at machines and validate on board.
Getting around Varna by bus is easy once you have the right app. Buy your ticket in the TTickets Varna app (or at a ticket machine), validate it on board, and use varnatraffic.com to see where your bus is in real time.
Who runs the buses
Varna’s city lines are operated by two companies: the municipal Gradski Transport EAD and Chensfild. Both are listed on the city’s official tourism site, Visit Varna.
Useful lines
| Line | Connects |
|---|---|
| 409 | Aksakovo (Sladkarski tseh) – Airport – shopping centres – bus station – Cathedral – Dolphinarium – Sts. Constantine and Helena – Chayka – VSU (Varna Free University); beyond VSU to Golden Sands in summer only – see the winter timetable below |
| 9 | Railway station – Cathedral – Dolphinarium – Sts. Constantine and Helena – Varna Free University |
| 31A | Railway station – Cathedral – Sts. Constantine and Helena |
| 82 (trolleybus) | Railway station – centre/post office – Vladislav Varnenchik park-museum |
| 17a, 20, 39 | To “Festivalen kompleks”, about 10 minutes on foot from the Central Beach |
From the airport, line 409 takes about 20 minutes to central Varna. In summer it continues to Golden Sands (about 50 minutes from the airport); from 2 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 it ends at VSU.
What changes in the winter timetable from 2 November 2026?
From Monday, 2 November 2026, five bus lines switch to new timetables, Varna Municipality and BTA reported on 29 October 2026. The biggest change for visitors: until 30 April 2027 inclusive, line 409 runs only between VSU and the “Sladkarski tseh” stop in Aksakovo, and the VSU – Republika section is suspended, so the 409 does not go on to Golden Sands.
| Line | What changes (according to Varna Municipality) |
|---|---|
| 409 | VSU – “Sladkarski tseh” (Aksakovo); no service VSU – Republika until 30 Apr 2027 |
| 109 | Again serves the stops between Travel and Republika, 2 Nov 2026 – 30 Apr 2027 |
| 29 | Weekdays: from the railway station 08:00 and 15:45, from Aladzha Monastery 08:50 and 16:35. Holidays: from the railway station 07:55 and 15:45, from Aladzha Monastery 15:45 and 16:40 |
| 31 | Weekday and holiday timetables adjusted to match line 29 |
| 55 | Weekdays and holidays: from the railway station 08:10 and 16:40, from Korabostroitel 09:15 and 17:20 |
Full timetables are on the website of the municipal transport authority TASRUD (tasrud-varna.com), and live departures on varnatraffic.com. More on the off-season: Varna in winter.
Tickets and prices
Visit Varna lists these fares:
| Ticket | Machine (paper) | TTickets Varna app |
|---|---|---|
| 60 minutes | €1.00 | €0.51 |
| 90 minutes | €1.30 | €0.77 |
| Day ticket | €2.00 (until midnight) | €2.05 (24 hours) |
Fares can change, so check the app before you travel.
The TTickets Varna app
Launched in July 2026, TTickets Varna replaces the older Ticket Varna and Bus Varna apps. Ticket Varna still works for now but will be retired, so TTickets is the one to install. You can buy and store e-tickets, track buses live, plan journeys and save favourite stops. It accepts bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Tickets bought in advance only start running once you activate them on the validator in the vehicle – and validation is now mandatory.
A calm commute
- Board, validate, find a window seat – the 409 along the coast is a small sightseeing tour in itself.
- Keep your phone charged if you use app tickets.
- Plan with varnatraffic.com or busvarna.com, which show lines, routes and stops.
- For short hops in the centre, walking is often quicker than waiting for a bus: see walking, cycling and taxis in Varna.
What is changing with tickets, live GPS tracking and card payment is covered in the news on Varna Pulse: Varna bus tickets app, live GPS and card payment.
Sources
- Visit Varna – Public transport in Varna
- BTA – Varna launches new TTickets public transport app
- Varna Traffic – lines and route planner
- Varna Municipality – Bus timetable changes on lines 29, 31, 55, 109 and 409 from 2 November (29.10.2026)
- BTA – Varna Municipality: timetable changes on bus lines 29, 31, 55, 109 and 409 from 2 November (29.10.2026)
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay for the bus with a bank card?
Yes, through the TTickets Varna app. Contactless card payment directly on the validators is planned by the end of 2026.
Which bus goes from the airport to the centre?
Line 409 – about 20 minutes to central Varna; in winter (until 30 April 2027) it ends at VSU.
Do I need to validate my ticket?
Yes. App tickets become valid only once activated on the onboard validator, and machine tickets must be validated when boarding and at transfers.
Does line 409 go to Golden Sands in winter?
No. From 2 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 the VSU – Republika section is suspended, Varna Municipality says; in that period line 109 again serves the stops between Travel and Republika.
