Kapitan Andreevo border queue: works push trucks to Lesovo

Reconstruction at Bulgaria’s Kapitan Andreevo crossing (Kapıkule on the Turkish side) has pushed freight traffic to Hamzabeyli–Lesovo, where the truck queue reached about 27 km on 18 October 2026. One driver told Anadolu Agency, as reported by NTV, that he had waited about three days. The reports describe trucks; cars use separate lanes, but anyone driving from Turkey to Varna should allow extra time.

What is happening at Kapitan Andreevo?

A full reconstruction of the crossing began in August 2026. According to BNT and Haskovo.info, it covers truck and passenger routes, new booths and canopies, rebuilt bus terminals and automated passenger lanes, and should raise capacity by 25%. Car entry lanes are to grow from 10 to 15 and truck entry lanes for border police from 3 to 7. The contractor named a 12-month deadline; local media expect the end of summer 2027. No official end date has been announced, and the works are being done in phases.

How long are the queues at Hamzabeyli–Lesovo?

NTV reported a 27 km truck queue at Hamzabeyli on 18 October; Milli Gazete cited about 30 km on 17 October and a shorter queue the next day, noting that figures change daily. Drivers told NTV the line had grown from about 15 km to 35–40 km. Bulgarian Border Police data showed very heavy truck traffic leaving Bulgaria at both crossings on 19 October. On 21 October, 2,499 trucks crossed at Kapitan Andreevo and 1,435 at Lesovo. The Border Police again reported very heavy truck traffic leaving Bulgaria at Lesovo on 24 October, and at both Kapitan Andreevo and Lesovo on the morning of 26 October, while the other main crossings were normal (Fakti); those bulletins gave no truck counts.

Are cars and buses affected?

As of 2026-10, none of the reports we found describe long queues for cars or buses. At Kapitan Andreevo, however, drivers are asked to follow the temporary signs and lanes, and bus terminals are being rebuilt. On the Maritsa motorway towards the crossing, some sections run in one lane at 50 km/h because of joint repairs (Fakti, 23 October).

How can I check the border before I leave?

• Official first: the Bulgarian Border Police publishes a daily traffic bulletin for each crossing on mvr.bg/gdgp; the Bulgarian Customs Agency (customs.bg) posts notices.
• Turkish side: Turkish news agencies regularly report queue figures from the International Transporters’ Association (UND).
• Unofficial: trackers such as nakordoni.eu collect user and camera data; useful, but not an official source.

What about EES at first entry?

The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully in force since 10 April 2026. Non-EU travellers on a short stay give fingerprints and a facial image the first time they enter the Schengen area, which can add time at the booth on that first crossing. Bulgaria is a full Schengen member, so the Turkish border is an external Schengen border.

How to plan your trip to Varna

• Driving a car from Istanbul? Dereköy–Malko Tarnovo is the shortest road route to the Black Sea coast and avoids the Edirne crossings; for goods traffic it is open only to vans up to 3.5 t, so heavy trucks stay away.
• Travel outside peak hours and keep water and snacks in the car.
• Have your passport, car documents, Green Card and Bulgarian e-vignette ready.

Our Varna Guide has a full Istanbul-to-Varna guide and a driving-to-Varna guide with road rules and documents.