A train from Sofia...................

Unfortunately with the new BDZ site, the english search is messed up. It used to be a drop down menu of all of the stations- slow but effective. Now, you have to enter the name of the destination and byala only comes up as an option in the bulgarian search.

Anyways- if you can, searching on the bdz site will be your best option for all the info. In brief, the results are:

1    06:50    11:50    RБВ    1    05:00   
2    07:55    12:46    МБВ    0    04:51   
3    10:30    15:41    БВ    1    05:11   
4    13:00    18:08    БВ    1    05:08   
5    15:30    20:56    БВ    1    05:26   
6    18:45    23:33    МБВ    0    04:48   
7    22:45    05:08    БВ    1    06:23   

That is departure, arrival, train class, and total time of the journey. The second option at 7:55 does not require any transfers (you just hop on the train to ruse and get off in byala). Everything else has a transfer, most likely in gorno o. In my experience, the conductors see you are a foreigner and are helpful about making sure you make the switch at the appropriate time. Cost is around 20 bgn. For the platform, you can show up at the station early and just ask before you get on the train.

Hey that is great the 07:55 hop on option appeals to me. Is there one central train station from Sofia?
(I expected the journey time to be a lot longer, it all looks very doable thank's for the info')
Cheers Steve.

Those are all from the main sofia station. There is also a sofia north station, but it would be difficult to mistake the two. If you take the bus, metro, or a taxi to the train station, people will point you towards the central station, not the north. Also, the train station is right next to the central bus station and has these huge white canopy/art weirdness things coming out of it--- kinda hard to miss. The 7:55 train does stop at the sofia north station at 8:00 am, if you happen to go there for some reason, but most of the other trains pass it by and don't stop until they are up north quite a ways.

OK I can do this then make a change from driving, and also it will let me see another side to BG, at a more leisurely pace, obviously car hire is convenient but by train will be an adventure well certainly an experience! Cheers again.
Steve.

Hello Steve,

I assume that you are flying to Bulgaria. There is now a Metro (subway) station at   the Sofia airport. It will take you directly to Centralna Gara, the main train station. By the way, the large white canopy has been removed from the facade. The bus station is next to it, should you decide to travel by bus.

Hope you have a lovely trip,
VillageGirl

Hi thanks yes flying in from Sofia I tried Otepina Bucharest airport last year but the border control was a nightmare due to roadworks, so I am trying this option?
Cheers Steve.

I would suggest that you take a bus from Sofia to Byala (Rousse).

Central bus station is next to Central rail station. Here's a website:

bus

and here's a link to the Byala search results:

Byala
Route/Company/ Weekdays to travel/ Starting time/ Sector / Price
cost approximately 18 lv.
duration: probably 3-4 hours

OK I will have a look duration time is oddly even quicker by bus than train.
Thank's for your time.
Regards Steve.

Buses don't have as many stops and are not limited by the rail system, so yes, they definitely go faster than the trains in Bulgaria. Usually they are more expensive (only slightly) I am surprised that route seems cheaper.

Most Bulgarians tend to prefer bus these days, which is why (I assume) the train system is falling into such a state of disrepair and closing more and more lines. Sad for those of us who love train travel.

If you are traveling from Sofia to Ruse you have to go to Tzentralna Gara Sofia and go to the lower level to buy your ticket. However, you need someone to write this on paper so that you will be able to communicate with the ticket booth!#
Also, Every time you travel, I suggest you have someone that speaks Bulgarian with you until you learn the language better
The tellers in Bulgaria seldomly speak English especially if they are over 50 years old. The new generation might do better in the English speaking department ! Not all teens speak English !
So be very careful and do more homework before you leave a city to go to another without a Bulgarian escort

Anyway I tried both the train and the coach for this visit.
My own personal views are that the ease of the coach far outweighed the rustic charm of the train. As mentioned the teller at the ticket desk was unable to assist due to the language barrier, it is more in my own interest that I try and learn the language, I can do basics but then armed with a phrase book, alphabet etc.. I still was unsure of what platform to get, thankfully the police helped I walked in to their room asked who spoke English and they all pointed to one man. Anyhow it was an adventure, it is funny because the train was already waiting on the platform rather than waiting for it, the compartments on the train offer a charm of their own, both forms of transport where around 16 lev train, 14 lev coach. The coach was less hassle and quicker but I am glad to have tried the train, it was a change.
Thank you for those of you that offered help, and advise, time tables etc.... it was much appreciated.
Cheers Steve.

It's great that you come back and post your experiences for other people who might want to try... So many people get advice then forget to give feedback on how things go (I often do it, as well). Thanks for sharing. And I am glad it worked out for you.

Trains are a part from our past. I mean the past in Bulgaria. And I am not quite sure whether they will be part from our future too... probably not.

Many reasons, so I'd better not go into this. But for all train lovers and for those searching for the rustic charm and the good old times there's one train I will recommend - the  narrow-gauge railroad

Septemvri-Velingrad-Razlog-Dobrinishte.

This an unique experience through the Rhodopi mountain - wonderful scenery, pure nature, slow moving train, rivers, rocks, valleys and steep slopes ... Bulgaria - first hand experience.. and somehow a trip to the past, 30 to 50 years at least.

Hurry up, I am not sure how long it will work. Late spring is the perfect time for this journey, as well as the early Autumn.

I drove from Sofia to Bansko a few years back along the way we saw a very old slow moving train that meandered around the hills and countryside, its runs near alongside the E79 main road towards Blagoevgrad, I am not sure of which train this was, or its destination but it certainly offers scenic views.

probably this was not the the narrow-gauge railroad

I had a CRAZY night on that train a few years back when going up to Bansko before the student's holiday in December. Like- crazy conversations followed by a very drunk guy that tried to give me a loaded gun to protect myself and then proceeded to fire it off of the moving train.

I am guessing it is not ALWAYS like that, but that trip definitely made for interesting memories.

More of the above please.  It's such good advice and the experience to validate it.  Brilliant info for those of us who are newbies.

I would greatly recommend buses over trains, considering the buses are all privately owned and competition means prices are low and the buses are new. All trains are owned by the government, they can charge whatever they like, and the trains tend to be in horrible condition.

I agree with the last post regards the Bus over the train, but the price comparison was relatively even, I can safely say that either form of transport will indeed get you to your destination, where the more convenient bus is quicker, newer, cleaner it is not anymore comfortable, the train does offer more leg room, and space, granted the interior will be dated but some people prefer train travel? (each to their own?)
Regards Steve.