After a long flight, the most important thing is to continue your journey easily and comfortably. With a rental car from Sofia Airport, you have the freedom to set off immediately after landing - without waiting for taxis, changing transport, or adjusting your plans to timetables. Whether you are travelling to Sofia city centre, Borovets, Bansko, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, the seaside resorts, or any other destination in Bulgaria, your MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car vehicle will be waiting for you at the airport.
In this article, we will take you through the process step by step, explain which documents you will need, show you where the MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car office is located, and share how you can save time when picking up and returning your car.
Make Your Reservation Before Your Flight
The safest way to make sure your preferred vehicle is waiting for you when you land is to book it online in advance. On the MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car website, you can select your rental period, choose the most suitable vehicle class and model, and add the insurance coverage and extra equipment you need, such as a child seat or navigation system.
When choosing a vehicle, it is a good idea to consider not only the number of passengers, but also the amount of luggage, the length of your journey, and the driving conditions you expect. A compact car may be perfectly suitable for getting around Sofia or another city, but for a family trip, more luggage, or a journey to a mountain resort, a more spacious model with a larger boot will be a much more comfortable and practical choice.
You can find detailed guidance in our guide „How to Choose the Right Vehicle Class for Your Trip“.
What Happens If You Do Not Have a Reservation?
Sometimes the decision to rent a car is made only after landing. In this case, you can visit the MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car office at the airport directly. Our team will check which vehicles are currently available and help you choose the most suitable option from the available selection.
However, it is important to keep in mind that your choice will depend on current availability. During busier tourist periods, the most popular models may already be fully booked. Therefore, if you require a specific vehicle size, automatic transmission, more seats, or a larger boot, booking in advance remains the safer option.
How to Find Us at Sofia Airport
The MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car office is located in the „Arrivals“ Hall at Terminal 2, immediately after the baggage reclaim area. If you arrive at Terminal 1, a free airport shuttle operates between the two terminals and provides a quick and convenient connection.
Documents Required When Picking Up Your Vehicle
To make the process as quick as possible, prepare your documents in advance. You will need:
- A valid identity card or international passport;
- A valid driving licence;
- A credit card in the name of the main driver.
When you collect the vehicle, a security deposit will be blocked on your card. For economy, compact, and mid-size vehicles, a debit card may also be accepted. For higher vehicle categories, a credit card is required due to the amount of the deposit and the conditions for blocking it.
The amount of the deposit depends on the vehicle category, the selected coverage, and the terms of the specific reservation.
Before travelling, it is a good idea to check that your card has sufficient available funds or credit limit and that it has been issued in the name of the person who will be listed as the main driver in the rental agreement.
Vehicle Pick-Up and Inspection
All MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car vehicles are inspected before every handover. If there are any pre-existing marks or damage on the vehicle, these will be shown to you for review, together with photographs, before you receive the key.
Our team will be happy to explain the main functions and features of the vehicle you have reserved and answer any questions you may have.
For additional peace of mind, we recommend taking a few photos or a short video of the vehicle before setting off. It takes less than a minute and gives you additional reassurance during the rental period.
The Road Vignette Is Included!
All MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car vehicles have an active electronic road vignette for Bulgaria's road network. This means you can set off immediately after collecting your vehicle and travel throughout the country without additional costs or any extra steps on your part.
Can I Travel Outside Bulgaria?
Yes, but international travel with a rental car must be requested in advance. Do not travel to another country until you have received confirmation that the journey is permitted for the specific vehicle, country/countries, and route. Additional documents, insurance coverage, or fees may be required. You can find more information in our detailed guide: Travelling Abroad with a Rental Car from Bulgaria
Once your route and the relevant conditions have been confirmed, the next step is to plan how you will return the vehicle at the end of your rental period.
How Do I Return the Rental Car?
If your journey ends at Sofia Airport, return the vehicle to the designated MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car parking spaces and hand the keys to our team at the office in the “Arrivals Hall” at Terminal 2. Before arriving at the airport, fill up the fuel tank, check the cabin and boot for personal belongings, and allow enough time for the vehicle handover and the necessary checks before your flight.
The vehicle must be returned with a full fuel tank, as it was when you collected it. If the vehicle is returned with less than a full tank, the missing amount of fuel will be charged in accordance with the rental terms.
If your journey ends in another city, you can request our "One-Way Rental" service. This allows you to return the vehicle to another MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car office or to a pre-arranged address without having to travel back to your original pick-up location. The service must be requested in advance, is subject to confirmation, and may involve an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to pick up the vehicle?
If you have made an advance reservation and used the „Online Check-In“ service, collecting your vehicle usually takes only a few minutes after you arrive at the office. The exact time depends on how busy the office is and the checks required during the vehicle handover.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
We monitor flight information in real time. If you provide your flight number when making your reservation, our team will be aware of any delay and your vehicle will remain reserved for you without the risk of cancellation.
Can I rent a vehicle outside standard working hours?
Yes, MOTO-PFOHE Rent a Car offers an out-of-hours service upon advance request. In such cases, an additional fee applies for handing over the vehicle during late-night or early-morning hours.
Do you offer child seats and winter equipment?
Of course. You can request additional equipment such as child seats for different age groups or snow chains during the online booking process to ensure they are available when you arrive.
Can I travel with a pet?
Yes, pets are allowed, provided that the animal is transported in a suitable pet carrier or crate in order to protect the vehicle's interior and keep it clean.
Can I extend the rental period during my rental?
Yes. If you decide during your rental that you would like to keep the vehicle for longer, contact us before the rental agreement expires. We will check whether the vehicle is available for the requested period and confirm the extension. If it has already been reserved, we will offer you a suitable alternative subject to availability.
Can I drive with a foreign driving licence?
Yes! If your driving licence was issued by a European Union member state, it is fully valid in Bulgaria and you do not need any additional documents. If your licence was issued by a country outside the EU (for example, the USA, the United Kingdom, or Canada), you will also need to present an International Driving Permit together with your original driving licence.