This page explains how to travel by train from Sofia to other key European cities, and how to buy the cheapest tickets.  Click here to for journeys starting in another cityClick here for Sofia station guideInformation current for 2024.

bullet pointI want to go from Sofia to...

     

Istanbul

 

Belgrade

 

Bucharest

 

Zagreb

   
 

Ljubljana

 

Budapest

 

Athens

 

Thessaloniki

   
 

Paris

 

London

 

Moscow

  Within Bulgaria    
 

Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Spain, Portugal
and all other destinations

bullet pointBefore you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  It answers all the usual questions, "Must I book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?".  How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

bullet pointEuropean train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel

 

Senior fares (over 60)

 

Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)

Important tips for buying European train tickets

Youth fares (under 26)

 

Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)

How to check European train times

Child fares & child age limits

 

Couchettes & sleepers on night trains

Do I need to book in advance?

Luggage on European trains

 

Train seat numbering plans

How far ahead can I book?

Luggage storage at stations

 

Wheelchairs & special needs

Can I stop off on the way?

Taking a bike by train

 

Real-time service updates

Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?

Taking a car by train

 

Hotels & accommodation

How long to allow for connections?

Taking dogs & pets by train

 

Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi

How early to arrive at the station?

Maps of the European rail network

 

What to do when things go wrong...


Train travel within Bulgaria


Sofia to Istanbul
Sunrise in Turkey, approcahing Cerkezkoy

Good morning Turkey!  Dawn breaks as journey's end approaches.

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Sofia to Belgrade

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Sofia to Bucharest

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Sofia to Budapest & Vienna

The line between Belgrade and Budapest is blocked for major upgrading.  So the best route to Budapest and Vienna is currently via Bucharest.

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Sofia to Athens, Thessaloniki & Greece

There used to be a Sofia-Thessaloniki train, but problems in Greece mean it hasn't run south of the border since around 2018.

Option 1, by bus to Thessaloniki then train to Athens.

Option 2, by train + bus to Thessaloniki then train to Athens - more interesting, less time in a bus.

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Sofia to Moscow

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Sofia to Zagreb, Munich, Paris, London

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Sofia to all other destinations:  Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen & Scandinavia, Spain & Portugal

Option 1, via Bucharest & Budapest

Option 2, via Belgrade

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Hotels in Sofia

For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews near Sofia Central station, see here.

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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