Varna International Airport

Varna International Airport (VAR)

Varna Airport is located in the North-East of Bulgaria, near the tourist beaches on the Black Sea. In recent years, the number of travelers has increased enormously, which is the reason the Bulgarian government has decided to outsource the exploitation to the German Fraport, which has begun the much needed modernization of the airport. The new passenger terminal will be ready in 2010.

At the moment, there are five terminals: terminals 1 and 4 are used for incoming flights, 2 and 3 for departing flights. Terminal 5 is located at quite some distance from the other terminals and is used during the summer, in the peak season. There is a shuttle service between this terminal and the other terminals.

Rates mentioned here are in the Bulgarian currency leva. 1 euro is worth about 2 leva (March 2008).

Local transport

Train

There is no train connection to Varna Airport.

Car and bus

The airport is located about 8 kilometres to the west of the city of Varna and it is easy to reach. From Varna, take the E70 west. After about 4 kilometres, take the exit to the A2. After about 3.5 kilometres take the clearly indicated exit to the airport.
The beaches at Albena, St. Konstantin and Zlatni Piasaci can be reached via the city center of Varna, after which you follow the coastal road E87.

Buses to Varna and coastal resorts are in front of Terminal 1, near the VIP room. You can also buy bus tickets there. Bus line 409 departs every fifteen minutes from Varna to Zlatni Piasaci. In the center of Varna you can switch to bus lines with other beach destinations: lines 8, 9 and 109 (speed connection) all go to St. Konstantin.

Car rental

In the Arrivals Hall, there are service desks of car rental companies Avis, Hertz and Sixt. You can also book a rental car in advance at EasyTerra, which offers a comparison of several providers.

Taxi

At the bus station, there are also taxis. Mind the rate per kilometre (BG leva/km). A cab ride to the center of Varna costs between 8 and 24 leva, depending on the taxi and the traffic, and takes about fifteen minutes.

Parking

In front of the terminal building, there is a large parking area for short-term and long-term parking. Information about rates is not available.
For regular visitors to Varna, there is a long-term parking area (€ 250 per year), more information on the website Long Term Parking Varna.

Services

Hotels

There are no hotels on the airport premises. The nearest hotels are located in Varna, including Golden Tulip (tel: +359(0)52 683 000), Hotel Splendid (tel: +359(0)52 681 414), Plaza Hotel (tel: +359(0)52 684 060), Grand Hotel Musala Palace (tel: +359(0)52 664 100) and the Best Western Park Hotel (tel: +359(0)52 389 789). These hotels provide a free shuttle bus to and from the airport. For more hotels and online booking, visit Booking.com. They offer a wide range of hotels at very reasonable Internet rates.

Shops and restaurants

The number of shops and places to eat and drink at Varna Airport is limited. This may change when the new terminal will be opened in 2010. At the moment, the airport has four (snack) bars. In addition, there are four duty-free shops.

Luggage

It is not possible to store luggage at Varna Airport. The lost and found office is located in terminal 4 (tel: +359(0)52 573 423).

Information

Between terminals 2 and 3, there is a general information desk (tel: +359(0)52 573 323), where you can obtain flight information and information about the airport and public transport.

Business

The VIP lounge in Terminal 1 at Varna Airport is open daily from 08.00-20.00 (tel: +359(0) 52 573 460, fax: +359(0) 52 500 838, e-mail). It offers fax and copying facilities and computers with Internet access. In addition, there is a small meeting room.

Disabled

The airport is very accessible to disabled people. There are modified toilets and wheelchair slopes. Elevators are available for boarding and disembarking disabled people. In addition, there are handicapped parking spaces near the terminal building.

Other services

There are exchange offices in terminals 3 and 4; in terminals 2 and 4, there are also ATM's. There is Internet access in all the terminals, and there is a First Aid station in terminal 2.

Contact

Address

Varna International Airport
9000 Varna
Bulgaria

Telephone, fax, e-mail

Telephone: +359(0)52 573 323
Fax: +359(0)52 500 830
E-mail: ralitsa@varna-airport.bg

Airport codes

IATA airport code: VAR
ICAO airport code: LWBN