Trains in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers over 4000 km of rail track. The main rail hub is in the capital city Sofia, which has connections to Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Experience diverse scenic views onboard Bulgaria's trains.

Train types in Bulgaria

The train network in Bulgaria is operated by the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ). You can look up train times on the Interrail train timetable or on the BDZ website.

Bulgarian train outdoors | Trains in Bulgaria

Domestic trains in Bulgaria

Expresen Vlak

Faster trains (routes: Sofia to Plovdiv, Sofia to Varna, Sofia to Burgas).
Reservations are required (approximately €0.25, or BGN 0.50 in local currency).

Barz Vlak

Local 'rapid' trains.
No reservation needed.

Patnicheski

Slower local trains.
No reservation needed.

If you want to bring a bike on any trains in Bulgaria, you must pay a supplement based on the distance.

Reservations for trains in Bulgaria

Which trains in Bulgaria require reservations?

Expresen Vlak
Cost: Approximately €0.25, or BGN 0.50 in local currency.
You may have to pay an extra commission.

How can I make reservations for Expresen Vlak trains in Bulgaria?

At Rila travel agencies, which you can find at train stations across Bulgaria.
Check locations on the BDZ website.
A reservation is called "zapazeno myasto" in Bulgarian.

Domestic connections in Bulgaria

The following routes using trains in Bulgaria don't require reservations:

Route	Travel time
Plovdiv to Burgas	5 hours
Sofia to Burgas	8 hours
Sofia to Plovdiv	3.5 hours
Sofia to Varna

International train connections to and from Bulgaria

Sofia has direct international train connections to several countries. Reservations are recommended.

Route	Which train?	Travel time	Reservations
Sofia to Bucharest (Romania)	International (INT 460)	11.5 hours	Required
Sofia to Budapest (Hungary)	Intercity (INT 490, NT 340, FT 340)	20 hours	Required
Sofia to Thessaloniki (Greece)	Regional (RE 361)	7 hours	Required
Sofia to Istanbul (Turkey)*	International (INT)	13 hours	Optional

*Due to construction of a new high-speed line, there are engineering works on the train line between the Bulgarian border and Istanbul.
Read more details and alternative routes.

Bulgaria rail passes

Interrail Pass options for Bulgaria

Interrail Bulgaria Pass

Gives you access to the trains in Bulgaria and allows you to focus on the entire country
Youth, senior and family discounts available
Prices from € 51

View Bulgaria Passes

Interrail Global Pass