Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Sofia uses the BGN (лв) and Pretoria uses the ZAR (R). Language shifts too — Bulgarian in Sofia, Afrikaans in Pretoria. Be careful behind the wheel: Sofia drives on the right, Pretoria on the left.
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Capital
- Sofia
- Currency
- Bulgarian lev (BGN · лв)
- Language
- Bulgarian
- Calling code
- +359
- Drives on
- Right
- Country
- South Africa
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR · R)
- Language
- Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
- Calling code
- +27
- Drives on
- Left
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Sofia and Pretoria?
Sofia is 1 hour behind Pretoria. Sofia runs on GMT+3 and Pretoria on GMT+2. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
There are 7 hours where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Sofia from Pretoria?
About 7,627 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 9h 28m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Sofia and Pretoria use?
Sofia uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN, лв); Pretoria uses the South African rand (ZAR, R). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Sofia from Pretoria?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +359, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Sofia and Pretoria?
Sofia primarily speaks Bulgarian; Pretoria speaks Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Sofia and Pretoria drive on the same side of the road?
No. Bulgaria drives on the right, South Africa on the left. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.