Traffic in Plovdiv

Plovdiv, Bulgaria, showcases a diverse range of transportation modes with cars being the most popular choice, followed by walking and buses.The city faces challenges with traffic inefficiency and CO2 emissions, but there are opportunities for improvement through increased use of bicycles and public transport.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Plovdiv is approximately 24.89 minutes, with a mix of walking, biking, and driving.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 18 minutes on the bus, with a total commute time of 30 minutes including waiting and walking.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of around 15.44 minutes, covering a distance of 7.61 km.
  • Walking - Walking is a popular mode, with an average time of 32 minutes for a distance of 3.6 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
39%
Walking
22%
Bus
17%
Bicycle
13%
Home
9%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 24 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
3.6 miles
Walking
8.9 mins
Waiting
1.4 mins
Driving Car
6.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
3.3 mins
Bicycle
4.2 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
0.8 mins
Total:
24.9 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.4 miles
Walking
4.3 mins
Waiting
7.8 mins
Bus / Trolley
18.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
4.7 miles
Walking
1.6 mins
Driving Car
15.4 mins
Total:
17.1 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.2 miles
Walking
32.0 mins
Bicycle
4.4 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
3.0 mins
Total:
39.4 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the summer months due to tourism.

Winter months see a slight decrease in bicycle usage due to colder weather.

Commuter Pain Points

Commuters often face delays due to traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.

Limited public transport options can lead to longer waiting times for buses.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 8 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid traffic congestion.

Midday travel can also be less congested, particularly for non-central routes.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals in Plovdiv can cause significant traffic disruptions, particularly in the city center.

Planning alternative routes during events can help mitigate delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Plovdiv is investing in expanding its bicycle lanes to encourage eco-friendly commuting.

The city is also exploring the integration of electric buses to reduce emissions.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of private cars on the road, easing congestion.

These services provide flexible options for commuters, especially in areas with limited public transport.

Worldwide
Bulgaria

Traffic Rankings

Plovdiv ranks 2nd on the Traffic rankings in Bulgaria.
The Traffic Index for Bulgaria combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Bulgaria, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025