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Travel - Internal
AIR: Balkan-Bulgarian Airlines operates domestic services connecting Sofia with the coast and main towns. The journeys from Sofia to Varna and Bourgas can be made in about an hour. Air travel is comparatively cheap, and is only slightly more expensive than rail travel.
RIVER: Regular boat and hydrofoil services along the Bulgarian bank of the Danube link many centres, including Vidin, Lom, Kozloduj, Orjahovo, Nikopol, Svishtov, Tutrakan and Silistra.
RAIL: There are over 4200km (2625 miles) of railways in the country. Bulgarian State Railways connects Sofia with main towns. Reservations are essential and first-class travel is advised. For details contact the State Railway Office.
ROAD: There are over 13,000km (8000 miles) of roads linking the major centres; their quality is variable and some main roads have major potholes. Traffic drives on the right. International road signs are used, although roadworks are often not signposted. Night driving can be dangerous owing to poor lighting. Foreign drivers are sometimes liable to extra road tolls. Speed limits are strictly adhered to: 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (56mph) outside built-up areas and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. In addition, the driver may be banned from driving in Bulgaria for up to three years. The nationwide alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent; on-the-spot fines of between Lv50-150 are imposed for offences. Spare parts are easily available. There are a large number of petrol stations. Bus: There is a good network of buses. Taxi: Available in all towns and also for intercity journeys. Vehicles are metered, unless they are privately owned. A five to ten per cent tip is appreciated. Car hire: Available through hotel reception desks. There are no fly-drive arrangements through the airlines. Payment is usually in hard currency. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. A Green Card is compulsory.
URBAN: Bus, tramway and trolleybus services operate in Sofia; in addition, a metro is under construction. Flat fares are charged and tickets must be pre-purchased. Buses and taxis operate in all the main towns. There are also trolleybuses in Plovdiv and Varna.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times from Sofia (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Bulgaria.
| Air | Road | Rail | | Varna | 1.00 | 8.00 | 7.00 | | Bourgas | 1.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 | | Plovdiv | 0.40 | 2.00 | 2.00 | | Ruse | - | 9.00 | 8.00 | | Turnovo | - | 3.30 | - | | Vitosha | - | 0.30 | - | | Borovets | - | 1.30 | - | | Pamporovo | - | 3.30 | - | | Golden Sands | *0.45 | *7.00 | - | | Albena | *0.45 | *7.00 | - | | Sunny Beach | **0.35 | **6.30 | - |
Note: *From Varna Airport. **From Bourgas Airport.
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