Day 18: Sofia to Bucharest
Early Arrival in Sofia
The team crossed into Bulgaria overnight, navigating a winding mountain pass on the way to Sofia. Storks lined the roadside as the ID. Buzz climbed toward the capital just before sunrise.
At Volkswagen Bulgaria, the team received a warm welcome from the local staff. The energy and enthusiasm on site made for a strong start to the day. From there, the group moved on to visit Giti Tyre Bulgaria, completing two key partner stops before midday.
A Slow Route to Romania
The plan was to reach Bucharest by early evening, but traffic conditions turned the six-hour drive into an extended delay. Roadworks on the Friendship Bridge at the Romania–Bulgaria border caused long queues and a single alternating traffic lane at the crossing point in Giurgiu. Wait times stretched to over an hour, slowing progress significantly.
Evening Arrival and Final Stops
Despite the delays, the team made it to Bucharest just before nightfall. Meetings with Giti Tyre Romania and Volkswagen Romania went ahead as planned, followed by a stop for a photo in front of the Palace of the Parliament. One of the world’s largest buildings, it offered a striking backdrop to close out a long day.
With the ID. Buzz fully charged and the next route loaded, the team prepared to head southeast.
Next stop: Istanbul.
