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Belgrade to Sofia by train
The train ride between Belgrade and Sofia by train is a fascinating adventure across the Balkans on a route taken by the famous Orient Express until 1977. However, it currently involves 2 trains and a bus because of work to rebuild the line between Nis & Dimitrovgrad in Serbia. If you use this route, feedback would be appreciated!
The sorry tale of this once-great line
The Belgrade-Sofia route has had its ups and downs over the last few years, the result of limited resources and poor management. There used to be a direct day train and overnight train all year round, by 2013 this had dwindled to just an overnight train consisting of one Serbian couchette car. They then reinstated the day train, briefly restoring two trains per day before discontinuing the night train. In 2018 the direct day train was made summer-only, with a 3-train combo the rest of the year. All service was discontinued in 2020 for the duration of the pandemic, but a train service Belgrade-Nis and Dimitrovgrad-Sofia now operates, with a 104km gap in the middle. Let's hope these two capital cities get a better train service in future years.
Belgrade ► Sofia 2023
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Nis by Serbian train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 15:10, arriving Nis at 21:10.
This is a comfortable air-conditioned regional train with 1st & 2nd class. If you'd like more of an evening in Nis, you can leave Belgrade Centar on an earlier train at 13:05, arriving Nis at 18:52. There's no catering, so bring supplies.
You can check Belgrade-Nis train times at w3.srbvoz.rs/redvoznje.
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Stay overnight in Nis, the inexpensive Vila Nova Hotel is 14 minutes walk from the station with great reviews, with a 24h front desk & free WiFi.
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Day 2, travel make your own way from Nis to Dimitrovgrad by bus or taxi. The distance is about 104 km. There is major track rebuilding on this section, but clearly Serbian Railways don't care enough to provide any alternative. There are 2 or 3 buses a day run by www.nis-ekspres.rs but the times don't work well with the onward train.
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Day 2, travel from Dimitrovgrad to Sofia by Bulgarian electric train, leaving Dimitrovgrad daily at 11:40 & arriving Sofia central station 14:57.
This train is 2nd class only, a Bulgarian electric locomotive and two elderly second-hand German carriages. There's no catering, so bring supplies. But the windows open for a cool breeze and views across Bulgaria.
See train schedule & bus details on the Bulgarian Railways website (the bus details are in the footnotes).
Sofia ► Belgrade 2023
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Step 1, travel from Sofia to Dimitrovgrad by train, leaving Sofia central station daily at 09:20 and arriving Dimitrovgrad at 10:30.
This train consists of a Bulgarian electric locomotive and two second-hand German carriages, 2nd class only. There's no catering, so bring supplies. But the windows open for a cool breeze and views across Bulgaria.
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Step 2, travel from Dimitrovgrad to Nis by bus or taxi, it's about 104 km. There is major track rebuilding on this section, but clearly Serbian Railways don't care enough to provide any alternative.
You will usually find a 12:00 bus run by www.nis-ekspres.rs. The bus leaves from the main town square, 15 minutes walk from the station, and arrives in Nis at 14:00. It costs the equivalent of about 28, you can buy online at www.nis-ekspres.rs or just buy a ticket from the driver.
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Step 3, travel from Nis to Belgrade by train, leaving Nis at 15:46 & arriving Belgrade Centar at 21:23.
This is a comfortable air-conditioned Serbian regional electric train with 1st & 2nd class. There's no catering, so bring supplies.
You can check Nis-Belgrade train times with Serbian Railways at w3.srbvoz.rs/redvoznje.
How much does it cost?
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Belgrade to Nis costs 962 dinars (€9).
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Nis to Dimitrovgrad by bus is estimated as about €5.
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Dimitrovgrad to Sofia is estimated as about 10 lev (€5).
How to buy tickets
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Buy a ticket for each train at the station where it starts. Buy a ticket for the bus at the bus station or on the bus. There is no online booking.
