Travel inside Bulgaria
There is an extensive network of air, road and train services in Bulgaria. Most tourist sites are accessible by public transport. Buses are common for urban transport. In addition to them trams and trolley buses are typical in the big cities.
Taxi
There are many taxis in all towns. Taxi-cabs can be found at the taxi ranks in towns and resorts, or can be ordered by phone. All taxi-cabs in the country are yellow, signaled with the respective identification. They operate at daytime and nighttime rates from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (daytime) and from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. (nighttime). An additional fee is paid when ordering by phone. The average rate is BGN 0.30 - BGN 0.45 per kilometer. Always check the table of fares.
Car
Visitors to Bulgaria may drive using their national license, as long as it complies with international standards. It is advisable, however, to carry an international license. There are petrol service stations along most major routes. Fuel in Bulgaria is lead free and available in the following octane levels: 92, 95 and 98. Diesel fuel is also widely available through the country.
Road signs follow international standards. According to Bulgarian law seat belts must be worn by all passengers, mobile phones can only be used with 'hands-free' sets, and the legal alcohol limit is 0,5 pro mil. Speed limits for cars are 50 km/h (30 mph) inside the city limits, 90 km/h (55mph) outside cities and 120 km/h (75mph) on motorways Road assistance - 24 hour service tel.: /02/ 980 3308
State Bus Stations
State Bus Stations - for national destinations In Sofia: North Tel. # 38 31 91 South Tel. # 72 00 63 East Tel. # 955 5362 To Bansko - 3 hours - 7 leva single trip To Blagoevgrad - under 2 hours - 5 leva To Sandanski - 3 hours - 6 leva
Train
Central Railway Station (Tsentralna Gara) Information - 931-1111 Buy tickets at the Rila Ticket centre (info 987 07 77), near the Central Post office in Sofia. There is also a travel centre under NDK (info 65 84 02). Students with proper ID should be able to get a discount of 40 per cent on tickets. You can find more on the site of the Bulgarian State Railways.
Rent a car
Big towns, resorts and airports have subsidiaries of the big international rent-a-car companies. You can get the respective information at the hotels or from the tourist agencies. There are petrol stations with all types of fuels in all towns and along the motorways. Small fees are paid on the border checkpoints for the use of roads. Custom duty is owed for sailing the Danube and crossing the bridges. You can have the updated rates from the Bulgarian tourist offices. |
