Bulgarian Driving & Car Rental Information
Bulgaria Auto Rental & Auto Travel Tips
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Bulgaria's Location [top]Bulgaria occupies the eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula. The now democratic Republic of Bulgaria (111,000 square kilometers) is bounded by Romania on the north, the border being marked by the Lower Danube River. The Black Sea lies to the east, Turkey and Greece to the south and Serbia and Macedonia to the west. (Distances in kilometers)
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Driving in Bulgaria - Bulgarian Auto Rental
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Bus Travel [top]Central Bus Station - Sofia – Information and schedules. Private Bus Stations: Most privately-run domestic and international buses depart from two large staging areas near the central train station in Sofia or from the central bus stations in major Bulgarian cities. Mitsubishi and Mercedes luxury coaches featuring air-conditioning and video are some of the vehicles used. 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 levaTrain Travel [top]Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) Phone: + 359 2 981 11 10Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) can get you to most towns, although trains are very slow by Western standards and delays are common on the longer routes. Intercity and express services only operate on the main trunk routes, but on everything except the humblest branch lines you'll find so-called rapid trains. Use these rather than the snail-like "passenger train" services unless you're planning to get off at some particularly insignificant destination. The following link to the BDZ website is directed to the FAQ page: BDZ Frequently Asked Quesions | |||||||||||||||||||||
Auto Travel – Auto RentalThe following companies offer car hire from Sofia International Airport: Avis (+3592) 945-9224 Avis, Hertz, and Sixt have offices in the Arrivals Hall at the International Airport. Other companies listed will deliver to Sofia International Airport. Check to see that you have chains and winter tires (when weather dictates), as well as a warning triangle, fire extinguisher and emergency first aid kit. Tips for Driving TO – and – IN BulgariaCrossing countries: It is more different crossing the countries of former Yugoslavia; it is recommended to use the route Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Sofia. The roads are first class, most of them highways. Insurance has to be made in advance or paid at the border. Cars (self-drive and chauffeur driven) may be rented at the border checkpoints and in all tourist offices throughout the country. Foreigners may drive in Bulgaria using their national driving license (though, should you stay longer than six months, it must be translated and legalized), but most of the neighboring countries require an international license. It is required to have third-party insurance plus a "Green" or "Blue" card – the latter can be bought at the frontier. Entering Bulgaria, your vehicle will be registered with a special "visa tag" or carnet de passage which must be presented on leaving. Upon arrival in Bulgaria, an entrance fee is payable on all motor vehicles (car/van US$10; minibus seating 8 or more US$60), plus a disinfection fee (car US$2; van/minibus US$4) - though EU citizens are exempt from the former charge. Bulgarian Speed Limits: 50 km/h in populated areas, 90 km/h outside populated areas, 120 km/h on highways Road signs follow international standards. But If you want to explore Bulgaria better take dual language map because most of the small town signs are only in cyrillic. Be very alert when driving at night. Bear in mind that horse-drawn carts, motorcycles and scooters can sometimes be encountered on major roads driving at night without lights. DO NOT drink and drive: For tested levels in excess of 1.2 per 1,000, there is a maximum prison sentence of one year in addition to a licence suspension for up to four years. Road Assistance Service: Provides 24-hour technical assistance on the road. In case of malfunction or accident, call 146 (or cellular(+359) (0)48 146). The Central Dispatch Office is located at 3 Pozitano St. in Sofia, Tel. (+359) 2 980 33 08 and is open 24 hours a day. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Bulgarian Bus Travel
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Central Bus Station - Sofia – Information and schedules. Private Bus Stations: Most privately-run domestic and international buses depart from two large staging areas near the central train station in Sofia or from the central bus stations in major Bulgarian cities. Mitsubishi and Mercedes luxury coaches featuring air-conditioning and video are some of the vehicles used. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Bulgarian Train Travel
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Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ)
Phone: + 359 2 981 11 10 Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) can get you to most towns, although trains are very slow by Western standards and delays are common on the longer routes. Intercity and express services only operate on the main trunk routes, but on everything except the humblest branch lines you'll find so-called rapid trains. Use these rather than the snail-like "passenger train" services unless you're planning to get off at some particularly insignificant destination. The following link to the BDZ website is directed to the FAQ page: BDZ Frequently Asked Quesions |
