Whether you’re exploring Sofia's beautiful architecture or catching rays on the famous Sunny Beach, you’ll need local currency to prepare for your Bulgarian adventure.

Asda Travel Money makes it easier than ever to buy Bulgarian lev. Pop in-store to grab your holiday money or visit us online to have your cash delivered straight to your door.

It's a good idea to buy your Bulgarian lev before jetting off on your trip. That way, you'll avoid international exchange rates and ATM transaction fees.

Benefits of buying with Asda Money

Change GBP to Bulgarian lev with Asda Travel and you’ll benefit from:

• Our Price Promise – we’ll beat the exchange rate of any competitors within 5 miles
• Free home delivery on orders over £500
• Same day travel money service for last-minute travel. Subject to availability.
• Ease and convenience – simply buy Bulgarian lev from one of our travel money bureaux when you’re out shopping. Subject to availability.
• Our Buy Back Promise – we’ll buy back your unused Bulgarian lev (banknotes only) at the original exchange rate. T&C’s apply.
• Asda Rewards – if you’re an Asda Rewards customer, you’ll get even better rates. T&C’s apply.

How to buy Bulgarian Lev

You can buy Bulgarian lev with Asda Travel Money in three different ways:

In-store bureau

Changing pounds to Bulgarian lev at one of our Asda Travel Money bureaux is simple and convenient. You’ll find locations in Asda stores up and down the country. Simply pop in when you’re doing your weekly shop (subject to availability).

Click & Collect

Buy your Bulgarian lev online with Asda Money and select Click & Collect to pick up your currency at one of our many selected Asda stores. It’s quick, easy and convenient.

Home delivery

Select home delivery and we’ll deliver your lev direct to your door. Choose next day home delivery from £4.99 (for orders placed before 2pm) or FREE home delivery for orders of £500 or more. The minimum order available for home delivery is £350.

How Much Money Do I Need When Visiting Bulgaria?

The amount of money you need when visiting Bulgaria depends on where you’re going and what you want to do, as well as how long you’re in the country. Typical prices across Bulgaria include:

Bulgarian Lev Coins and Banknotes

The lev is the official currency of Bulgaria. It translates as the old Bulgarian word for “lion” one of the national symbols of Bulgaria. The country first began using the lev during the 1880s once it had gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. [6]

When you’re on holiday in Bulgaria, you’ll get currency in coins and banknotes. The lev is divided into 100 stotinki, with coins covering both lev and stotinki.

This is the currency you’ll be handling on your trip to Bulgaria.

Tipping in Bulgaria

Tipping is common practice in Bulgaria. Most staff in the service industries, whether working in bars, restaurants or hotels are paid the minimum wage. Tourists are expected to tip as standard.

If you’re eating in a restaurant or drinking at a bar, it’s expected to tip 10% of the total bill [7]. Also consider leaving around 5 lev a day for the housekeeping staff in your hotel. You should also tip the porters in the hotel a similar amount [8].

Does Bulgaria use the Euro?

No, but you’ll often see prices in Euros.

Despite talks of Bulgaria adopting the Euro in 2022 after joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria still uses Bulgarian lev as its national currency. The only currency accepted by everyday businesses like restaurants, hotels and museums is the lev. You might occasionally see prices in Euros so tourists understand how much they’re paying, but you can’t actually pay in Euros[9].

Is it better to buy Bulgarian lev in Bulgaria?

It’s always a wise decision to buy your foreign currency before you travel. Changing pounds to Bulgarian lev in advance of your trip gives you the best chance of securing a competitive exchange rate. If you take cash out of the ATM when you land, you’ll not only get a poorer exchange rate, but you’ll also likely be charged by your bank for a foreign transaction fee[10].

Plus, having cash in your pocket when you land means you can pay for taxis or public transport with ease. No one wants to rush around trying to find an ATM in the airport.

Is it Better to Use Cash or Card in Bulgaria?

If you have cash in your pocket you can spend freely in Bulgaria without worrying about foreign transaction fees on your debit or credit card.

If you don’t want to carry too much cash on you and like the ease and convenience of paying contactless by card, consider ordering a pre-paid Travel Money Card from Asda Money. Once you’ve loaded your Bulgarian lev onto the card you can use contactless payments in Bulgaria and won’t be charged for doing so. You can top up while you’re away and free cash withdrawal from ATMs.

Looking for another currency?

As well as your trip to Bulgaria, if you’re heading off on holiday in the near future it makes sense to buy your foreign currency as soon as possible. You’ll want to secure the most competitive exchange rate, as well as avoid fees for foreign transactions or the hassle of trying to find an ATM while you’re away.

At Asda Travel Money, you can buy currency for your next trip. You can buy Euros for trips within the Eurozone, pick up Swedish Krona or Norwegian Krone, grab Polish Zloty for a visit to Poland or change pounds to Hungarian Florint for a city break in Budapest. Plus, you can also buy currency if you’re travelling to Canada, Australia, Turkey, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand or Indonesia, as well as destinations all around the world.

[1] numbeo.com

[2] skyscanner.net

[3] [4] numbeo.com

[5] skyscanner.net

[6] investopedia.com

[7] wise.com

[8] tripmasters.com

[9] thomascook.com

[10] investopedia.com