Useful information about independent travel to Bulgaria: where is the best place to go and whether you need a visa, how to get to Bulgaria and what are the main costs.
Traveling to another country is always exciting and educational, which is why most tourists prefer to take organized tours. But it's just as interesting to go on a voyage "on your own", personally handling all the organizational aspects.
Where to go in Bulgaria
First of all, you should decide on the purpose of your visit to this magnificent country - the choice of where you can go depends entirely on this.
Excursion Tour. If you want to familiarize yourself with the country's historical past and see its main attractions, then you should visit Sofia, the Valley of Roses, Plovdiv or Veliko Tarnovo.
Beach vacations. Beach lovers most often choose Sunny Beach, St. Vlas, Golden Sands, Ahela, Obzor and other seaside resorts.
Family Vacation. For mud treatment, as well as a quiet cozy family vacation is better to go to Pomorie.
Active vacation. You can combine sea relaxation, entertainment and informative excursions if you go to Nessebar, Varna, Sozopol or Burgas.
Insurance
According to the requirements of Bulgaria, it is obligatory for entering foreigners to have insurance. Therefore a medical insurance policy is required in this case.
Documents of this type can vary greatly in total cost and the list of services included. This means that this is a matter that should be handled responsibly in order to find the insurance best suited to your particular trip.
In addition to health insurance, a policy can include coverage for stolen luggage, lost documents, and more.
Accommodation
This is one of the key moments of organizing a trip. You can book an apartment, room or villa in advance on special resources. In this case the payment is made in general for the apartment, regardless of the number of guests, from 20-30 to 40-100 EUR (euro) for one day. In addition to accommodation, guests can use the amenities provided by the hosts, including dishes, washing machine, internet and TV.
Food costs
Bulgaria offers a choice between restaurant food, fast food and self-cooked meals.
A three-course lunch for two can cost 30 to 50 BGN (lev) in a restaurant, while breakfast in a regular cafe can cost 2 to 5 BGN (lev).
How to get there
By bus
From Paris
It is preferable to travel to Bulgaria from Paris. Most tourists use bus transportation on the route Paris-Sozopol, which takes about 24 hours.
The fare is around 65-70 EUR (euros) round trip and 40-50 EUR (euros) one way.
You can also book a small bus from a private company designed for 7 passengers, traveling from Paris to Varna via Chernivtsi, with a travel time of 17 hours.
The fare is 45 EUR (euros) one way.
From Berlin
The easiest way to get to Bulgaria from Berlin is by bus, reaching the bus station in Sofia. The distance from Berlin to Sofia by road is 2360 km.
The Berlin - Sofia route operates at least once a day. During the high season, buses on this route depart up to four times a day. The journey takes about forty hours.
The fare is between 100 and 120 EUR round trip, and around 55 EUR one way.
By plane
From Paris
From Paris, you can fly to the major airports in Bulgaria - Sofia and Plovdiv, as well as to the coastal resorts of Varna and Burgas.
It is most convenient to fly to Sofia and then transfer to the desired city. The flight takes about 2 - 2.5 hours. From May to September, most airlines offer additional charter flights. It is advisable to book plane tickets in advance.
The prices for air travel on the Paris - Sofia route start at a minimum of 320 - 340 EUR for round trip tickets for an adult. During the peak season, the price may be 15 - 20% higher.
From Berlin
Only two popular airlines, "Aeroflot" and "Bulgaria Air," operate up to 10 flights per week on the Berlin - Sofia route, even during the off-peak season.
From London, there is a minimum of one flight per week to Sofia operated by the airline "British Airways." The flight duration ranges from 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the flight. By purchasing round trip tickets, savings of up to 30% off the total cost can be achieved.
Several companies offer charter flights to Sofia and Plovdiv - the two largest airports in Bulgaria.
The cost of flights Berlin - Sofia and return Sofia - Berlin is around 280 - 300 EUR. One-way tickets cost 170 - 190 EUR.
By train
From Paris
You can travel from Paris to Bulgaria by train with a transfer in Budapest or Belgrade. Such trips to Budapest are available every day.
From Belgrade: twice a day, cost - 35 EUR (euros).
From Budapest: every day, cost - 65 EUR (euros).
In addition, from May to September, there is a direct train from Berlin to Sofia. It departs from Berlin Hauptbahnhof daily. The journey takes about 18 hours. The ticket price is 55 EUR.
From Amsterdam
Direct trains from Amsterdam to Bulgaria have been canceled. However, you can travel with transfers. One option is to transfer in Munich and then continue to Sofia. Departures are available every day.
The ticket prices for Munich - Sofia are around 80 EUR (14 hours of travel). It is recommended to book tickets in advance.
These are the main aspects to consider when planning an independent trip. If desired, curious travelers can always find the necessary information directly at the specific resort.
