Trains in Bulgaria

One cheap and easy way to travel in Bulgaria is hitchhiking. It is not, however, the only cheap way to go from one place to another. Trains are a very cheap means of transportation as well. The problem with trains is that they are very old and unpleasant. This does not apply to all sorts of trains but does apply to most of them. If you are looking for a proper experience, that might be it. Trains are old but intriguing. The highest price you might need to pay is about twenty five Leva (the local currency) or about thirteen Euros. That would be if you want to go from the capital city Sofia to the sea side, for example. The most classical and famous train is the one going from Sofia to the city of Bourgas. Bourgas is one of the two largest cities on the Black Sea coast. The train leaves about nine thirty or ten in the evening and arrives at about six in the morning. You might choose a sleeping car, the type of wagons that have little “rooms” with beds. You will usually have to share. I am not sure if there are single ones. Women share with women and men share with men (logically). You might share with your boyfriend or girlfriend or just a friend you are travelling with. The biggest fun, however, is not there. It is a bit boring to travel in a sleeping car, despite the fact that it is more comfortable. The best place to travel is in the normal wagons, where you have old-fashioned coupes. Now, the coupe you will have to share because anyone could enter it freely.   You might bring some food and drinks and have your own night party with your friends. Many young people (usually teenagers) do it. Sometimes you will enter a coupe in which people are sleeping. It would be very nice of you if you do not disturb their sleep. Respect the others. The Sofia-Bourgas night train usually gets full by midnight. I am talking about the summer period, of course, because who would go to the sea side in the winter (except for people who are from there but do not live there, and just go to see their families). On the night train you might meet all sorts of individuals. Some are going on a trip; others are going for the whole summer to work at one of the many bars, restaurants, or hotels in one of the many sea resorts. Some people on the night train are very friendly, while others would not want to talk to you at all.

There are faster and more modern trains so do not worry, you might see better times on a Bulgarian train. I know that there are newer trains from Sofia to Bulgaria’s second largest city, Plovdiv. Still, getting on a fifty year old train, the type of train you could only see in the movies might be quite exciting for you. Some quick tips:

• Be careful at train stations. You might get robbed without even noticing.
• Ask for a fifty percent discount card. Bulgarians would sometimes ask for it. I think it is very cheap. I am not sure if you could have it as a foreigner but you could give it a try.