Border crossing point Kapitan Andreevo → Kapıkule

Detailed Crossing Information

Current Status: The international road border crossing Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule operates 24/7 and is the main checkpoint on the Bulgaria-Turkey border. This is the largest land crossing between the EU and Turkey, with over 15,000 vehicles passing through daily. Significant delays are possible during peak season (summer, holidays).

Important for Freight Transport: This is a key transit point for cargo shipments between Europe and Turkey. Heavy trucks undergo customs inspection, which can take 6-12 hours during peak periods. Prior registration and document preparation are recommended.

Passenger Transport: Passenger cars and buses undergo standard border control. Ukrainian citizens need a visa to enter Turkey (electronic visa available online). For return to Bulgaria/EU, visa-free rules apply for Ukrainian citizens.

Basic Information

• Located on A1/E80 motorway (Sofia–Kapitan Andreevo–Istanbul).
• Distance from Sofia (BG) — 335 km (~4 hours), from Istanbul (TR) — 250 km (~3.5 hours).
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Vehicle types: passenger cars, buses, trucks (all categories).
• Pedestrian crossing: NOT ALLOWED. This is an automobile-only checkpoint.
• Daily traffic: 15,000–20,000 vehicles, peak in summer and during holidays.
• GPS coordinates: 41.727500, 26.317500 (BG) / 41.731900, 26.316700 (TR)

Queues and Wait Times: Live Data

Average wait time for passenger cars — from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on season and time of day. For trucks — from 4 to 12 hours, especially during customs control. Shortest queues are at night (01:00–06:00), longest in morning hours (08:00–12:00) and evening (17:00–21:00). Bulgaria-Turkey border queues can sharply increase during religious holidays. Bulgaria-Turkey border online monitoring helps avoid the longest queues.

Features: The Turkish side often processes slower due to detailed inspections. During religious holidays (Kurban Bayram, Ramadan), queues can increase 2-3 times. To check border queue length and current checkpoint status, use:

• nakordoni.eu: Bulgaria-Turkey border online — live user reports, queue photos, wait time forecasts, real-time border queue monitoring.
• mvr.bg (Bulgarian Ministry of Interior): Official checkpoint status, wait time information.
• goc.gov.tr (Turkish Migration Service): Queue data on the Turkish side.
• Surveillance cameras: Live cameras from both sides available on nakordoni.eu for queue length monitoring.

Guide for Different Categories

Passenger Cars: Required documents: passport, vehicle registration certificate, international driver's license, Green Card insurance for Bulgaria/EU, Turkish auto insurance for Turkey. For Ukrainian citizens: Turkish electronic visa (obtained online at evisa.gov.tr, cost €20, valid for 180 days).

Buses: International bus routes Kyiv–Istanbul, Odesa–Istanbul regularly pass through this checkpoint. Passenger verification can take up to 1 hour. Visas required for all passengers.

Trucks: Mandatory advance customs declaration CMR, TIR-carnet, invoices for goods. The Turkish side applies thorough inspections, especially for imports. It's recommended to process all documents in advance through a customs broker.

Motorcycles and Bicycles: Allowed to cross, but with restrictions. Cyclists must have vehicle escort due to pedestrian movement prohibition.

Infrastructure and Services

• Currency exchange, parking, toilets, food points, Wi-Fi/4G, waiting area, gas stations, Duty Free.
• Parking: Large paid parking on both sides, cost 5-10 BGN/hour (BG) or 50-100 TRY/hour (TR).
• Gas Stations: OMV and Lukoil stations on Bulgarian side (2 km before border), Shell and Opet on Turkish side (5 km after border).
• Food: Cafes, restaurants, fast food on both sides. Bulgarian cuisine, Turkish kebabs.
• Currency Exchange: Exchange points operate 24/7, rates are usually unfavorable — recommended to exchange in cities.
• ATMs: Available on both sides, accept international Visa/Mastercard.
• Toilets: Paid (0.50 BGN / 5 TRY), operate round the clock.
• Medical Assistance: First aid point on Bulgarian side.

New Changes at the Border: EES (2025) and ETIAS (2026)

• EES (Entry/Exit System): Starting October 2025, automatic biometric registration of entry/exit for third-country nationals when entering the EU (Bulgaria). Fingerprint and facial scans required at first crossing.
• ETIAS: From late 2026, Ukrainian citizens will need to obtain ETIAS electronic authorization for EU entry. Cost €7, valid for 3 years, online registration on official website.
• Turkish Electronic Visa: Already in effect since 2013, online registration at evisa.gov.tr, cost €20, valid for 180 days.

Alternative Checkpoints

Tip: If the queue at Kapitan Andreevo exceeds 3 hours, consider the alternative through Lesovo–Hamzabeyli (only 105 km detour, but much shorter queues).

Practical Tips

• Optimal crossing time: Night hours (01:00–06:00) — minimal queues, avoid weekends and holidays.
• Prepare documents in advance: Passport, vehicle registration, driver's license, insurance, visas — all documents should be readily accessible.
• Cash: Have Bulgarian leva and Turkish lira for parking, toilets, food. Exchange points at the border have unfavorable rates.
• Mobile connection: Enable roaming or buy a local SIM card (Turkish Turkcell, Bulgarian Vivacom).
• Food and water: Bring food and water, especially if traveling with children — queues can be long.
• Surveillance cameras: Check the border situation in real-time on nakordoni.eu before departure.
• Turkish visa: Obtain electronic visa in advance at evisa.gov.tr, don't wait until the last day.

Services and Contacts

• Emergency numbers: 112 (Bulgaria/Turkey), 166 (Turkish police), 150 (Turkish ambulance).
• GPS Kapitan Andreevo (BG): 41.727500, 26.317500
• GPS Kapıkule (TR): 41.731900, 26.316700
• Address: Bulgaria, Haskovo Province, Svilengrad, Kapitan Andreevo Checkpoint
• Phone (BG): +359 379 71 260 (customs)
• Phone (TR): +90 284 238 10 00 (Kapıkule customs)
• Bulgaria MIA Information Service: +359 2 982 50 00
• Web cameras: Available on nakordoni.eu for real-time queue monitoring