Travel Arrangement
Travel arrangement when purchasing real estate in Bulgaria:
Bulgaria is situated at a crossroads between Europe and Asia and it has a key position both for road, river and sea transport of a large group of countries. Several Pan-European transport corridors cross the country.
By air
Bulgaria is a two and a half hour flight from West Europe.
Bulgaria’s national airline is Bulgaria Air. Other airlines serving Bulgaria include Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, MALEV Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airlines and Swiss.
Bulgaria’s international airports are at Sofia, Varna and Bourgas. Some charter flights from Europe also land at Plovdiv and Gorna Oriahovitsa.
Sofia airport (www.sofia-airport.bg) is 10 km (6 miles) east of the city. Airport facilities include banks and currency exchange (24 hours), post office, duty-free shop, nursery, restaurant and bar.
Varna airport (www.varna-airport.bg) is 9km (5.5 miles) from the city. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), a restaurant and bar.
Bourgas airport (www.bourgas-airport.com) is 13km (8 miles) from the city. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), a restaurant and bar.
Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is easily accessible by plane from all major European cities. Several airlines make daily flights to Sofia, although at present the only direct flights from the UK are British Airways daily service, and the less frequent service of Bulgaria Air, the successor to the flag carrier Balkan Bulgarian Airlines. Many other airlines offer indirect flights, such as Austrian Air, CSA, Lufthansa, Malev and LOT. Prices vary, so it pays to shop around, and some airlines offer special deals at various times of the year: during 2003, BA have had flights as low as 150 pounds return. During the summer holiday season, you can get direct charter flights into Varna and Bourgas on the Black Sea coast, either as part of a package holiday or separately. During the ski season (roughly from the end of December to the end of March) there are also package tours available to Sofia (for Borovets and Bansko) and Plovdiv (for Pamporovo).
Airports in Bulgaria:
1. Sofia airport www.sofia-airport.bg
2. Varna airport www.varna-airport.bg
3. Bourgas airport www.bourgas-airport.com
4. Plovdiv airport www.plovdivairport.com
By water
The Black Sea ports of Bourgas and Varna offer extremely good access to Ukraine, Russia and the countries of the Mediterranean basin, and through the Danube a direct link with Central and Western Europe is provided. Rousse is the largest Bulgarian port on the River Danube.
Sea and river ports in Bulgaria:
1. Sea port of Varna www.port-varna.bg
2. Sea port of Bourgas www.port-bourgas.com
3. River port of Rousse www.port-rousse.bg
4. River port of Lom www.port.lom.bg
5. River port of Vidin www.port-vd.com
By car
Visitors to Bulgaria may drive using their national licence, as long as it complies with international standards. It is advisable, however, to carry an international licence. Road signs follow international standards. According to Bulgarian law seat belts must be worn by all passengers, mobile phones can only be used with `hands-free` sets. The limit of the admissible quantity of alcohol in blood for drivers is 0.05%. With regard to speed, motor vehicle drivers should not exceed the following limitations in km/per hour: Speed limits for cars are 50 km/h (30 mph) inside the city limits, 90 km/h (55mph) outside cities and 120 km/h (75mph) on motorways.
There are petrol service stations along most major routes. Fuel in Bulgaria is lead free and available in the folowing octane levels: 92, 95 and 98. Diesel fuel is also widely available through the country.
By bus
There are many companies, both international and Bulgarian, that operate regular bus lines between major European cities and Sofia. The trip is usually faster and more comfortable than by train. Most of the buses are equipped with air-conditioning, refrigerator, coffee-machine, TV and video.
At the border the driver usually collects all the passports and goes to show them at the passport booth. Be warned that crossing the border by bus can be quite a lengthy experience and the luggage compartment often has to be thoroughly checked.
Both international and domestic buses arrive at the brand new and rather flashy Central Bus Station in Sofia, next to the Central Railway Station on Maria Luiza Blvd. Built in 2004, it has 57 booking offices, air-conditioning and parking. It is connected to all districts by public transportation. Taxis are available outside the station, the same warning as for the train station applies.Central bus station in Sofia www.centralnaavtogara.bg
Bourgas, Varna and Plovdiv do not have Central Bus Stations and international buses arrive at different bus stations, served by the lines of the public transport and taxis.
By train
The main European railway routes pass through Bulgaria. International trains link Sofia with many European capital cities and the domestic rail network ensures access to all large settlements.Central railway station in Sofia www.bdz.creato.biz/bg/
How to organize your travel plans when you decide to come to Bulgaria to view/buy property?
When organizing your trip to Bulgaria to view or purchase property it is very important to have a reliable travel partner, so that your trip is to be free from any troubles and you can focus on the main reason for your trip – to choose the right property.
We, at My Sunny Bulgaria Ltd. will be more than happy to organize your viewing trip to Bulgaria. We have well established contacts with most of the leading travel agencies and will do our best in order to present to you the most convenient travel arrangements at the best price.
Please send your travel requests to:
info@mysunnybulgaria.com