सीमा पार बिंदु कैपिटन एंड्रेवो — कापीकुले

Detailed Crossing Information

Current Status: The international road border crossing Kapitan Andreevo – Kapıkule operates 24/7 and is the main checkpoint on the बुल्गारिया-तुर्की border. This is the largest land crossing between the EU and तुर्की, 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 तुर्की. Heavy ट्रक undergo customs inspection, which can take 6-12 hours during peak periods. Prior registration and document preparation are recommended.

Passenger Transport: यात्री कारें and बसें undergo standard border control. Ukrainian citizens need a visa to enter तुर्की (electronic visa available online). For return to बुल्गारिया/EU, visa-free rules apply for Ukrainian citizens.

मूल जानकारी

• 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).
• संचालन समय: 24/7
• Vehicle types: passenger cars, बसें, ट्रक (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)

कतारें और प्रतीक्षा समय: Live Data

Average wait time for passenger cars — from 30 मिनट to 3 hours depending on season and time of day. For ट्रक — 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). बुल्गारिया-तुर्की border queues can sharply increase during religious holidays. बुल्गारिया-तुर्की 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: बुल्गारिया-तुर्की border online — live user reports, queue photos, wait time forecasts, real-time border queue monitoring.
• mvr.bg (बुल्गारियाn 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 बुल्गारिया/EU, Turkish auto insurance for तुर्की. 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

• मुद्रा विनिमय, पार्किंग, शौचालय, food points, Wi-Fi/4G, प्रतीक्षा क्षेत्र, gas stations, Duty Free.
• Parking: Large paid पार्किंग on both sides, cost 5-10 BGN/hour (BG) or 50-100 TRY/hour (TR).
• Gas Stations: OMV and Lukoil stations on बुल्गारियाn side (2 km before border), Shell and Opet on Turkish side (5 km after border).
• Food: Cafes, restaurants, fast food on both sides. बुल्गारियाn 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 बुल्गारियाn 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 (बुल्गारिया). 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 बुल्गारियाn leva and Turkish lira for पार्किंग, शौचालय, food. Exchange points at the border have unfavorable rates.
• Mobile connection: Enable roaming or buy a local SIM card (Turkish Turkcell, बुल्गारियाn 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.

सेवाएं और संपर्क

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