Jun-2011
Tips for backpacking in Bulgaria on a tight budget
Bulgaria has the great advantage of its low cost, with prices about two times cheaper than in Western Europe. Here are some tips to get the most of Bulgaria for not too expensive and avoid bad surprises…
Budget in Bulgaria
One night in a hostel will cost between 9 and 13 including breakfast. A meal at the restaurant is less than 10 , so you will be able to taste all Bulgarian specialties!
Our week all inclusive (flight, hostel, meals, transportation, visits) cost us about 400 , (100 for the plane, 60 for hostels, and food 130).
How to get in bulgaria?
Sofia is served by low-cost airline Wizz Air.
It is also possible to come to Bucharest (Wizzair). A direct bus runs between the two capitals for 25 (on Natiunilor Unite Square 4pm-11pm). A day train and a night train trips are also doing Bucharest-Sofia for 25. Departure 12:13pm and 7:53pm at Bucharest North Gara A, respective arrivals at 9:30 p.m. and 5:50am (J +1).
It is also possible to come from the coastal city of Varna by public transport.
Bulgarian airline offers special rates for domestic flights during the summer months, Sofia, Varna and Bourgas.
Member of the European Union since 1 January 2007, a European identity card is enough to go if you are european (do not need a visa for stays less than 3 months).
Transport in Bulgaria
Remember to take the name of cities where you want to go in the Cyrillic alphabet. Very important to take local buses, for example because their destinations are noted only in Cyrillic.
The trains are old and are slower than buses. Therefore prefer the bus, furthermore they are cheaper. No need to buy InterRail for this country.
Attention, between cities, sometimes there are just a few buses a day!
In large cities there is often a main bus station.
But to find the schedule on the internet is a bit of a chore!
Some sites to help you achieve your itinerary
http://www.bgrazpisanie.com/?lang=en (buses and trains)
http://avtogari.info/index_en.php (bus)
http://www.centralnaavtogara.bg/ (station Sofia)
You can use taxis but beware of traps for tourists ! Check prices per km on the windshield.
Unusual in bulgaria
Be careful! Bulgarian say yes (Da), shaking of the head like to say nos, and say no, they shake their heads like to say yes. If you come across a Bulgarian who doesn’t speak English, try to test !
Bulgaria is known for its Rose Valley. Did you know that all the roses we have mainly came from there? We thus find shops with lots of products made from rose oil creams, perfumes, alcohol …
Purchases in bulgaria
Currency: Lev (???) pl Leva. abbreviation lv. (??.) or BGN.
Fixed exchange rate: 1 = 1.95 BGN
So just always divide by two to get the price in euros!
Cents are stotinki. ATMs are widespread in Sofia and the seaside resorts of the Black Sea.
To take with you in Bulgaria
Good shoes even if you have not planned hikes. The streets are not always flat, lots of stones. Definitely let your heels at home.
The Bulgarian alphabet
Before leaving, search the internet a few words in Bulgarian, which could be quite useful on site. For example when you take the bus… And especially the names of cities written in Cyrillic (nothing to do with our alphabet).
Some examples
- Sofia : ?????
- Plovdiv: ???????
- Varna: ?????
- Nesebar: ???????
- Rila Monastery: ?????? ????????
Sites of interest to prepare for the trip in Bulgaria
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thanks man !