Bucharest – Thassos by car: everything you need to know
If you are planning to travel to Thassos and want to enjoy a complete experience, then choose to travel Bucharest – Thassos by car. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauties of each city you pass through, whichever route you choose, and discover new things and unique experiences with your loved ones.
Discover below a travel guide that tells you everything you need to know about a Bucharest – Thassos by car route.
Route options Bucharest – Thassos: which cities do you pass through?
For the most enjoyable experience, plan your Bucharest to Thassos road trip ahead of time. However, before that, you should be aware that, in general, the duration of your drive from Bucharest to Thassos can vary depending on several factors, such as traffic conditions, traveling speed and the stops you make.
Here are 2 options to consider when choosing which route to take:
Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo – Stara Zagora – Svilengrad – Ormenio – Keramoti – Thassos
If you choose this option, you should be aware that the route could generally take around 8 to 10 hours, but it can be even longer if you want to visit some of the sights in some of the towns you pass through on the way to your destination.
Cities and sights worth visiting en route
If time permits, you can set aside a day or two to visit a few sights en route. Here are some interesting ones:
- Veliko Tarnovo – a town in Bulgaria known for its medieval fortress Tsarevets, which offers an impressive view of the town and its surroundings. It’s well worth a visit, as throughout the fortress loudspeakers are narrating a brief history of the fortress in English and Bulgarian. Another interesting thing to see if you come to Tsarevets is the Yantra River, which runs through the base of the fortress and divides the town in two, snaking through the houses.
- Svilengrad – another Bulgarian town whose symbol this time is an old bridge built in 1529 during the Ottoman rule and remarkably well preserved for its age.
As the border of Ormenio follows this town, here you can take a longer break for a rest and lunch. In Svilengrad you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy local dishes and drinks while taking in the beauty of the city.
- Keramoti – After crossing the border, the next big town is Keramoti in Greece, where the ferry crossing to Thassos is. Check the ferry schedule to Thassos ahead of time to ensure you reach your destination on time.
Given that the distance between Svilengrad and Keramoti can be covered in about 5 hours, it’s good to know that after the ferry crossing to Thassos, you can find plenty of tavernas and restaurants on the island. For example, in Limenas, the island’s main port, you can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes.
👉 Discover other Greek sights to explore for an authentic Greek experience!
Bucharest – Ruse – Sofia – Kulata – Keramoti – Thassos
This route is 775 km long and takes about 12 hours, but again there are some interesting sights worth visiting. Here are our suggestions.
Cities and sights worth visiting on the route
Whether you’re a history buff or just like discovering new things and admiring great architecture, then the following sights are worth considering if you choose to take the Bucharest – Thassos route by car:
- Ruse – In this Bulgarian town you can visit the Monument of Liberty, which was designed in the 20th century, and the Palace of Justice. You can also take advantage of the good weather by strolling through the city center, which offers restaurants and terraces suitable for a short break.
- Sofia – A stop in Sofia can also be good for lunch and a short break, as the border is then near Kulata. Here you can visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – the city’s emblem and one of Sofia’s most important sights. A very interesting feature here is certainly the dome, over 50 meters high. Another must-see in Sofia is the National Art Gallery, which contains an impressive collection of 12,000 works.
If you prefer just to enjoy the fresh mountain air and don’t feel like sightseeing, then you can relax with a stroll along the charming Vitosha Boulevard. The view of Mount Vitosha is sure to enchant you and fill you with positive energy.
About 2 hours from Sofia is Kulata, the border point with Greece. From here it’s about 3 hours to Keramoti, where you can take the ferry to Thassos.
👉 Discover other driving routes to explore on your next European vacation!
Driving to Greece: what costs to expect
As you may have noticed, on your way to Thassos by car you pass through several major towns, which is why it’s important to know that you will have to pay some taxes to avoid possible penalties and fines. Here are the estimated costs:
- In Bulgaria, in Ruse, you’ll have to pay a vignette which costs about 45 lei for a week.
- Also in Ruse, you will have to pay a bridge toll of about 10 lei.
- In Greece, you will have to pay a highway toll of about 10 lei.
- In Keramoti, you’ll have to pay the ferry: about 20 lei for an adult, 10 lei for a child and 100 lei for the car.
Fuel costs – where to refuel en route
In addition to the above fees, don’t forget to factor in fuel costs. We can’t give an estimate here as it can vary widely, depending on the type of fuel you need and the model of car.
Whichever option you choose, you should be aware that there are refueling stations at regular intervals, both on the highway and in cities. Even so, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have enough fuel to cover the distances between refueling stations and to cross borders.
Tips & Tricks: how to travel as cheaply as possible
In addition to accommodation costs, which can be lower if you book in advance, when traveling by car, you also have to pay quite a bit for fuel. So to save as much as possible, there are a few tricks that really work. Here are a few.
For example, a good idea would be for you and your family to travel with another close family and rent a spacious car. Here are the benefits:
- You share fuel costs and tolls;
- You have more space, allowing you to enjoy greater comfort and take more luggage with you on vacation;
- If you’re 2 or more drivers, you can avoid the extra expense of extra accommodation on the road and cover the route in one piece.
👉If you’re at least 21, choose to rent a van suitable for 2 families from Enterprise. You’ll enjoy added comfort throughout your trip while saving money!
Another thing you can do before you set off is to research fuel prices and identify the most competitively priced refueling stations en route. Avoid refueling in tourist areas as prices can be higher.
Also, adopt an efficient driving style and maintain a steady speed, as this can contribute to lower fuel consumption and therefore lower costs.
As for accommodation, here are 3 resorts in Thassos where you can find affordable deals:
- Limenas (Thassos Town) – is the capital of the island and offers a variety of accommodation options. In the areas further away from the coast, you can find more affordable hostels, villas and hotels than in the beach resorts, and so you can take advantage of the various Thassos drive trips.
- Limenaria – is located in the south-western part of the island and offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Here, you can find larger hotels as well as more affordable hostels or apartments for rent.
- Potos – is a resort in the southwest of the island, known for its beautiful beaches. There are plenty of accommodation options here, including reasonably priced hotels and hostels, especially if you book in advance or during off-peak periods.
Suppose you’re wondering how many kilometers the island of Thassos is, well, in that case, it’s dimension is almost 400 square kilometers, so to discover as many sights as possible during your vacation, make sure you always have a Thassos map handy online or even physically.
As you’ve seen throughout this article, traveling Bucharest – Thassos by car can be a real adventure to enjoy with your loved ones. Take advantage of all the information in this article and discover each city of your trip while staying within your budget.
