Social ConventionsNormal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Dress should be conservative but casual. If invited to the home, a small souvenir from one’s homeland is an acceptable gift. Do not give money. Remember that a nod of the head means ‘No’ and a shake means ‘Yes’. Smoking:
Since 1 January 2005, Bulgarian restaurants, cafes, nightclubs etc have zones for smokers and non-smokers. There is no smoking in public places.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline
is
Bulgaria Air (website:
www.air.bg).
Departure TaxNone except for US nationals who will be charged US$20.
Main AirportsSofia (SOF) (website:
www.sofia-airport.bg) is 10km (6 miles) east of the city (journey time – 20 minutes).
To/from the airport: Buses run regularly to the city center during the day. The bus station is located close to the arrivals terminal and services operate from early until late. Coaches are available by arrangement through tour operators. Taxis are also available, although taxi drivers may not use their meters and travelers are advised to agree on the fare beforehand. The airport itself only advises its passengers to use the taxi company
OK Supertrains (tel: (2) 973 2121; website:
www.oktaxi.net).
Facilities: Banks and currency exchange (24 hours), post office, duty-free shop, nursery, restaurant, bar and car hire is located in the public area of the Arrivals Hall.
Varna (VAR) (website:
www.varna-airport.bg) is 9km (5.5 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: A bus service to Varna city center departs every 20 minutes. A coach service is available by arrangement with various tour operators. A taxi service is also available.
Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), a restaurant, bar and car hire by prior arrangement with travel agents.
Bourgas (BOJ) is 13km (8 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: A bus service departs every 20 minutes to the city center. A coach service is available by prior arrangement with tour operators. A taxi service is also available.
Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), a restaurant, bar and car hire (by prior arrangement).
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Bourgas (website:
www.port-bourgas.com) and
Varna (website:
www.port-varna.bg) on the Black sea.
The official crossing points into Romania are by ferry from Vidin to Calafat and by road bridge from Ruse to Giurgiu.
Getting There by RailThere are frequent services between Sofia and Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Sofia is also directly connected with Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin. Dining car facilities are available on all routes. For details contact the
Railway Ticket Agency (RILA) (website:
www.bdz-rila.com).
Rail PassesInterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The
Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The
One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on
Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from
Rail Europe (website:
www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Getting There by RoadMain entry points include Koulata and Novo Selo (from Greece); Ruse, Kardom, Durankulak and Silistra (from Romania); Svilengrad and Kapitan Andrikeevo (from Turkey); Kalotina, Zlatarevo and Vrashkachuka (from Serbia & Montenegro) and Guyeshevo (from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).
Foreign citizens entering Bulgaria in a
car must have documentation to prove their ownership of the vehicle and evidence that their motor insurance is valid for Bulgaria. They must also state their proposed border crossing and pay suitable road tax.
Bus: There are daily bus connections from other cities, including Istanbul, Athens and Thessaloniki to Sofia.
Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219; website:
www.eurolines.com) and
National Express (tel: 0870 580 8080; website:
www.nationalexpress.com) run regular coach services from the UK to Bulgaria.
Passes: Travelers can either choose Mini-Pass breaks or book a 15-, 30- or 60-day pass. The six Mini-Passes give travelers the freedom to visit three cities. Travelers can stay as long as they like in each city.
OverviewThe following goods may be taken into Bulgaria by all persons irrespective of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco;
1l of spirits and 2l of wine;
50g of perfume and 100g eau de toilette;
reasonable amount of gifts.
Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use
only. Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirThe national airline,
Bulgaria Air (tel: (2) 8659 557
or 517 (flight information and reservations); website:
www.air.bg), and the national airline
Hemus Air (tel: (2) 981 8330 (reservations); website:
www.hemusair.bg ) operate domestic services connecting Sofia with the coast and main towns. The journeys from Sofia to Bourgas and Varna can be made in about one hour. Air travel is comparatively cheap, and is only slightly more expensive than rail travel.
Getting Around by WaterRegular boat and hydrofoil services along the Bulgarian bank of the Danube link many centers, including Vidin, Lom, Kozloduj, Orjahovo, Nikopol, Svishtov, Tutrakan and Silistra.
Getting Around by RailThere are over 4200km (2625 miles) of railways in the country. Bulgarian State Railways connects Sofia with main towns. Reservations are essential and first-class travel is advised. For details, contact the State Railway Office (3 Ivan Vasov St, Sofia, 1080; tel: (2) 932 5560; website:
www.bdz.bg).
Rail PassesInterRail’s One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Bulgaria. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on
Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from
Rail Europe (website:
www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Getting Around by RoadThere are over 13,000km (8000 miles) of roads linking the major centers; their quality is variable and some main roads have major potholes, plus driving standards are generally poor. Traffic drives on the right. International road signs are used, although roadworks are often not signposted. Night driving can be dangerous owing to poor lighting. Tolls are charged on motorways and main roads out of town. Prices are €5 for a one-week vignette and €12 for one month. Vignettes can be purchased at ports, border points, post offices and DZI bank offices. Additionally, if the vehicle is stolen in Bulgaria, import duty and related taxes must be paid: insurance may be taken to cover this. Speed limits are strictly adhered to: 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55mph) outside built-up areas and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. In addition, the driver may be banned from driving in Bulgaria for up to three years. The nationwide alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent; on-the-spot fines of BGN50-150 are imposed for offences. Spare parts are easily available and 24-hour road assistance is available (tel: (2) 980 3308). There are numerous petrol stations. It should also be observed that car-theft is on the increase in Bulgaria, and all cars should ideally be fitted with alarms and other visible security measures. Car-jacking is also becoming more frequent, usually occurring at night, and with some criminals even impersonating traffic policemen in the process. It is best to drive in daylight.
Bus: There is a good network of buses that are cheap and convenient but with erratic timetabling.
Taxi: Available in all towns and also for intercity journeys. Vehicles may not be in top condition. Vehicles are metered, unless they are privately owned. Taxi meters may be rigged so that foreign passengers can be overcharged; foreign visitors should therefore take great caution in determining the correct fare before travel. A 5 to 10 per cent tip is appreciated.
Car hire: Available through hotel reception desks. There are no fly-drive arrangements through the airlines. Payment is usually in cash.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. A Green Card is compulsory.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBus, tramway and trolleybus services operate in Sofia; in addition, a metro has been built in the the city, operating 0530-0000. Trains arrive every six minutes during peak periods and every eight minutes at all other times. Flat fares are charged on all transport and tickets must be pre-purchased. Buses and taxis operate in all the main towns. There are also trolleybuses in Plovdiv and Varna.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times from
Sofia (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Bulgaria.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
| Varna | 1.00 | 6:30 | 8.00 |
| Bourgas | 1.00 | 5:30 | 7.00 |
| Plovdiv | 0.40 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Pamporovo | - | 3.00 | - |
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