Sofia Travel Forum

My wife and I will be arriving Sofia from Istanbul by train in April 2008. We plan on staying 3 days in Sofia, is this enough time ? Any help on the night train would be appreciated, time, cost etc, thank you in advance.

How much should I pay from the International airport to central Sofia, Bulgaria

I will be in Sofia for 1 or 2 nights in January 2008. Can anybody tell me if it is possible to book tickets online for sofia opera and ballet. I have been on their website, but they still have 2005/2006 programme!!.

Hi, I was hoping to find out the best and easiest way to get about 10 women from Sofia airport to Plovdiv. I've heard the buses are not a fun experience, especially with luggage. We will each have one suitcase. Do the bus or train stations have any english speaking employees to help purchase the tickets? Thanks for your info!

Just wondered if there are agencies that do organised day trips from Sofia into the Bulgarian countryside?

We could get public transport to and from Veliko Tarnovo within a day (it would be the last day of our trip so unfortunately we wouldn't be able to stay longer) but I also hear that there are wonderful monasteries and other sights in the Bulgarian countryside.

I just wondered if any agencies do organised day trips that would take in Veliko Tarnovo and maybe stop off in one or two spots on the way? I've been on similar trips in other countries occasionally (not often as we prefer to travel independently) but occasionally if you have very little time you can see more on an organised trip....

I will be in Sofia Sept 21 to 23 at the Sofia Princess Hotel. I will be able to see a lot of the great historical sights of the city as part of a tour but I am looking for some places to explore on my own near the hotel--I am somewhat limited by only speaking English, and a chronic tendency to get lost, so I'd especially be interested in anywhere to get a meal, drink or coffee that's not to difficult to reach on my own. Thanks.

Does anyone know of any good hotels in the 50 euro bracket in the center of town, pref near cafe lavazza? single rooms with dbl bed would be ideal. please post any contact info. thanx

We are having an international meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria over Yom Kippur. Several Jewish participants would like to attend Yom Kippur Services. Is there a synagogue (? Central Synagogue) where we could attend? If so, what would the cost be for a single individual for Friday night and/or Saturday services?

Thank you!

Jacki

Hello everyone - I wonder if you can help.

I will be in Sofia with a friend on 14-16 September and we want to stay somewhere very well located and get the best deal possible - we have 40 Euro per night to spend on accommodation. Which is the best choice out of the Hotel Iskar (on Iskar Street) the Orient Express hostel (on Hristo Belchev st) and an apartment located on Laiosh Koshut Street?

We would like to be close to the most lively area of town for nightlife but also want to be on a safe street.

Based on the internet pictures of Orient Express hostel we like this option best - does anyone know if it is as nice as it looks in reality? Is it in a good location?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Louise

I'm looking for some off the beaten path cold war sites in Sofia. Does anyone know of some?

Hello everybody,

I am planning to travel to Sofia late August or beginning of Septermber. I would like to make an excursion of about 3 or 4 days to Serbia's capital Belgrade. Would anybody tell me about how can I travel from Sofia to Belgrade and vice versa. If you have any web addresses available, I would appreciate a lot. Tnx - Lawrence

Hi everybody!

Does anybody know how much does the train from Belgrade (Serbia) to Sofia cost?

And how much are the tickets from Sofia to Burgas? Is it better to go to Burgas by bus or by train? What`s cheaper? What is faster? What do you (Bulgarians) recommend? And how much time do I need to get there from Sofia? And prices too.

Thanx a lot!

Hi everybody

My friend and I just bought tickets to Sofia in the end of July to discover the country.

We will start with some days in Sofia and would really like some tips for cool bars, shops, galleries, areas where the local students go.

After some days we would like to see more of the country.
But how is it for two Scandinavian girls in Bulgaria?
Is it ok to rent a car and drive around in the country? Is it safe enough?
(We are both use to travel around the world). Is it best to rent an old car? Or is it ok with one from one of the big companies? Any tips for a company?
Or are there good transportation with busses or trains around the country?

Do you have any suggestions what to see around the country?
We like to hike or sail the kayak - is it possible somewhere?

We would also like to go to the sea - but not to the very touristet areas - could you recommend some nice places??

I know this was a lot of questions but if you are possible to just answer a few of them we would be very happy!!

Bedst regards,
Stine & Birgitte

Greetings from Sofia :)
I have just relocated to Sofia, say 2 months ago and intend to stay here for a very long time. Just left my previous residence in Dubai. So the reason for posting this forum is to ask if there is any VT meeting or anyone trying to organize one. If yes please let me know or if you want volunteers me the man!!!!
Take care and keep smiling guys
Gipi

I have researched and it seems that the distance is about 190 miles or so, but when I try to determine how long the train ride is from Bucharest to Sofia, several sites say it is 12 hours? Seems like a long ride for 190 miles. Anybody here taken a train ride from Bucharest to Sofia and can tell me how long the ride is? Thanks a lot.

Seeing has there is no tourist bus of Sofia.,is there a bus or tram that circles the main sights?

Does the city of Sofia have a open top [ or other] tour bus.

I want to get from Budapest to Athens by train. I know I can catch an overnight train from Budapest to Sofia, but how long does it take to get from Sofia to Athens?

Hi, i'd like to have a nice dinner at an indian restaurant in sofia. any tips? i know there are a couple of popular ones. but have you ever been to one of them? what's your experience? thanks.

Hello,

I’ve been backpacking for over a year now and now it’s time for me to go to Eastern Europe. I’ve read in various travel books that minorities may experience possible discrimination while traveling in Sofia. I’m American, and I’m of mixed Asian and African-American ancestry – I sort of look like Tiger Woods, except I’m a shade or two lighter in complexion. While in Sofia, will I be mistaken for a Romani person (Gypsy), and even if I’m not, should I still be concerned about my personal safety because of my ethnic background? Are there places that I should avoid? I don’t mind getting dirty looks, but I am worried about physical violence or police harassment.

Thank you

I need to head to budapest. Can anyone suggest which is best, and how long the bus and train take? THANKS!!!

Hi to everyone in Sofia!
I'll be in Sofia Thursday 17th May all day long doing nothing,I am staying in Sheraton so basicly in the center. Anyone interested in having fun let me know by mail!
See you soon

Hi I'm looking to fly to sofia and then take a train to Athens and back again in a week, was after some advice.

How long does it take?
How easy is it to book tickets, I think i have to via Thessalonki,
Can i get a ticket direct to athens or would i need to book seperate tickets
Would i need to book in advance
How regualar are the trains

Any advice would be much appreciated.

hi, i am going to sofia for a couple of months starting 7 may. I would like to know where i can go for a nice drink and beers, where i can meet local people (or nice woman) and have some fun... and other interesting tips...

cheers
k

could anyone reccomend me some cheap hotel accomodation or eventualy private accomodation? what are the prices per day, during april?

Can anyone tell me how I can get to the Mall of Sofia (ideally by tram) from the Central area - ie from either the NDK or Bul Vitosha.

Going to Sofia next month and want to check it out. :)

Hi, we are planning to travel from Sofia to Varna by train on Saturday 18th August. Can anyone who has done this give me any information or advice on the journey.

Thanks

Kate

I'm looking at 3 hotels, the Sheraton, the Radisson or the Hilton. I know the Sheraton is right in the middle of town, is it close to bars etc... what is it like compared to the other two?
The Radisson - is it too far away, are there bars nearby & is it safe to walk home to at night/early morning ;0)) I heard it has an Irish bar - is this very popular?
Hilton - it appears to be far away, how long would it take to walk to the centre of town. Are there bars nearby or anything? Again is it safe to walk back to at night.

What would u recommend?
Also are the cabbies safe to use at night & how much would one expect to get to the Hilton/Radisson from the town centre.
Look 4ward to your advice.

Does anyone know how when driving from Sofia airport how to get to the main roads to go towards Veliko Turnovo without going into Sofia itself.

It is mainly the area around the airport where there is not signage that looks a problem?

Does anyone know an airline that flies from Kiev to Sofia? I'm traveling on August 27th and not all airlines fly on Mondays. I'm willing to take a non-stop flight. Thanks!

John