Getting There

Main Airports

Sofia (SOF) (www.sofia-airport.bg) is 10km (6 miles) east of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses run from near the arrivals terminal to the city centre regularly throughout the day. Taxis are also available; ensure the meter is used. Otherwise agree a price in advance, taking advice from a local. The airport advises its passengers to use the taxi company OK Supertrans (tel: (02) 973 2121; www.oktaxi.net). Facilities: Banks and currency exchange (24 hours), post office, duty-free shop, nursery, restaurant, bar and car hire.

Varna (VAR) (www.varna-airport.bg) is 9km (5.5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: A bus service to Varna city centre departs every 20 minutes from each of the two terminals. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shops, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), Internet, ATM, restaurant, bar and car hire.

Bourgas (BOJ) (www.bourgas-airport.com) is 13km (8 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: A bus service departs every 20 minutes to the city centre. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange (24 hours), restaurant, bar and car hire (by prior arrangement).

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Bourgas (www.port-burgas.com/index.html) and Varna (www.port-varna.bg) on the Black Sea.

The official ferry crossing point from Romania is from Calafat to Vidin.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Getting There by Road

Main entry points include Koulata and Novo Selo (from Greece); Ruse, Kardom, Durankulak and Silistra (from Romania); Svilengrad and Kapitan Andrikeevo (from Turkey); Kalotina, Zlatarevo and Vrashkachuka (from Serbia) and Guyeshevo (from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). 

Foreign citizens entering Bulgaria in a car must have documentation to prove their ownership of the vehicle and evidence that their motor insurance is valid for Bulgaria. They must also state their proposed border crossing and pay suitable road tax.

Bus: There are daily bus connections from other cities, including Istanbul, Athens and Thessaloniki to Sofia. There are also daily buses from Varna and Bourgas to Istanbul. Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080, in the UK; www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services to Bulgaria.

Passes: Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.

Getting There by Rail

There are frequent services between Sofia and Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Sofia is also directly connected with Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin. Dining car facilities are available on all routes. For details contact the Railway Ticket Agency (RILA) (tel: (02) 987 0777;  www.bdz-rila.com).