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: Tarawa uses the AUD ($) and Sofia uses the BGN (лв). Language shifts too — English in Tarawa, Bulgarian in Sofia. Be careful behind the wheel: Tarawa drives on the left, Sofia on the right.
- Country
- Kiribati
- Capital
- South Tarawa
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD · $)
- Language
- English, Gilbertese
- Calling code
- +686
- Drives on
- Left
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Capital
- Sofia
- Currency
- Bulgarian lev (BGN · лв)
- Language
- Bulgarian
- Calling code
- +359
- Drives on
- Right
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Tarawa and Sofia?
Tarawa is 9 hours behind Sofia. Tarawa runs on GMT+12 and Sofia on GMT+3. 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?
Standard 09:00–17:00 workdays don't intersect. Most teams compromise with one side meeting early (before 09:00) or late (after 17:00).
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 Tarawa from Sofia?
About 14,242 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 17h 15m, 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 Tarawa and Sofia use?
Tarawa uses the Australian dollar (AUD, $); Sofia uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN, лв). 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 Tarawa from Sofia?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +686, 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 Tarawa and Sofia?
Tarawa primarily speaks English, Gilbertese; Sofia speaks Bulgarian. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Tarawa and Sofia drive on the same side of the road?
No. Kiribati drives on the left, Bulgaria on the right. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.