Private Transfers, Shuttles, Car Hire, Taxis, Buses, Trains: Compared
Alex From Bulgaria Transport outside Terminal 1, Sofia
Sofia Airport to Bansko transfers, shuttle buses, taxis and hire cars are some of the most popular searches on the internet on Bansko. With Bansko transfer and car hire prices changing regularly, and special deals for winter 09/10 being launched, this page is continually updated. When it is, an email is sent to all blog subscribers. Read on for my comprehensive Bansko transfer and car hire guide:
Click play for the audio version of this article:
This is the place for how to get transport from Sofia airport and the city, or even Thessaloniki or Plovdiv airport, without over paying. Most importantly, it’s the article to pass on to others to help ensure that transport is not only good value and meets your needs, but is also safe and enjoyable.
Please note that most of the services mentioned here have been recommended by readers.
KEY for listings:
* If there is an asterix this means that it is an affiliate company. That means that booking through the link will ensure a small referral fee is paid to Bansko Blog. These payments help to improve the site.
** Means they advertise on the blog and therefore receive priority listing.
Be sure to read terms and conditions carefully. Ski carriage, bag allowance, late or early transfer may incur additional payment.
Your comments at the end are welcome — and will help others choose what is best.
Transfer And Car Hire News For 2010
* Bulgaria Car Rent www.bulgariacarrent.com and www.transferbulgaria.com a long established car rental and transfers company
* Bulgarian-Transport www.bulgarian-transport.com Angel Todorov runs a reliable service. Very competitive rates for 09/10 ski season
* UR_CA just €134 mini van transfer www.urca.dir.bg. Philip Gologanov runs transfers in modern minivans
* Bulgaria Transport just €125 return SKI SEASON. Large fleet and reliable http://bulgariatransport.com
* Plovdiv and Sofia Transfers from Stoyan http://transfersbulgaria.com
* HHB offer a new loyalty scheme and rewards introducers. Targeting property owners and their clients. Interesting http://www.hhbholidayhomes.com/hhb_travel_points_scheme/. Feedback required please
* HHB Travel have launched a new SHUTTLE service http://www.sofiabanskotranfershuttle.com €12 each way. No booking fee. They collect people from flights landing up to 45 minutes of each other
* I have now received excellent feedback on the efficiency of Plamena and Emil at Axeman Discovery mobile: +359 887 66 33 76 web: www.axemandiscovery.com. Very reasonably priced summer tours too
* I have also received excellent feedback from mitch&Co. Out of season prices €120 return (up to 3 people)
* HHB Travel (sofiaairporttaxis.com or hhbholidays.com) are now charging just €134 for up to 4 passengers Bansko Return in winter ski season.
Your transfer or car hire is critically important to the Bansko experience! Let others know if your si great or less than good. Go to the comments section at the end.
WARNING: Beware Of Rogue Bansko Transfer and Hire Car Companies!
I hate to sound patronising, but now I have to make a very serious point. Don’t risk your life. There are some cars and vans that are used for transfers and hire that are unsafe. Vehicles need winter tyres (in winter) and a motorway ticket. Don’t risk a car that is dangerous to drive. There is some very dangerous driving in Bulgaria – make sure you have a reliable driver. There are several “cowboy” operators out there — just waiting to trap the unwary. Some travelers have literally been ready to abandon their transport as the driving has been so bad.
Seems too cheap to be true? Then please be careful, as it could be. Please remember that a “one man van” operator may leave you stranded for some time — if you were to break down. They may not have a network of drivers and vehicles in both Bansko and Sofia. Check you get and English speaking driver.
There are seven transfer options to Bansko:
1. shuttle bus services – - HHB Shuttle Service & The Bansko Express NOTE: shuttles operate in ski season only, and for specific flights. Booking essential.
2. private transfer
3. taxi
4. hire car or minivan rental
5. bus from the bus station(s)
6. train
7. fly to Thessaloniki (Greece) or to Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and transfer from there
1. Shuttle Bus
(Bansko Express, The Sofia Airport Bansko Shuttle (from HHB))
These three options are NOT private transfers. HHB’s shuttle service states clearly the time they will wait. NONE operate outside the winter ski season.
You cannot ask for a quick supermarket stop, comfort stop. Check you will be delivered and picked up from your apartment in Bansko. Bansko is a large town now — and its around 4 kilometres between one end to the other. If your flight is cancelled terms and conditions say you will lose your prepaid monies.
* HHB Shuttle service – €12 each way per person. Operates from 1st December to 31st March. The company emailed me to say:
“We will collect from flights landing within around 30 – 45 minutes of each other and will drop off at your accommodation. Very good value for passengers traveling alone or with one or two friends.” Refreshments sold on board.
This looks like a fair deal from HHB, a reliable operator — with plenty of back up vehicles.
* www.banskoexpress.com – From their web site they say: Easy Jet, Wizz Air and Aer Lingus Flights are covered. Book well ahead.
“Bansko Express works as a booking agent which gets holiday makers from the same flights and transports them between Sofia Airport and Bansko in one vehicle.”
Depending on the number of bookings, the vehicles used are cars, shuttle buses, mini-buses and coaches. ..”
Both could be excellent options… particularly if you are a small group, or traveling alone. Do check with company that you will not be waiting for another flight. Comments welcome. Remember there are buses from both Sofia bus station and Ovcha Kupel (sofia) tht are generally very reliable and charge 14 lv per person each way.
2. Private Transfer
The most flexible way for independent travelers to get to Bansko from Sofia. Private transfer means a personal door to door service. You may even be able to drop into Metro supermarket in Blagoevgrad or Sofia (on your way) for cheap beer, wine, food, household goods. Ask if your driver has a metro card and is able to make a quick stop – or alternatively your passport will get you in, after the in store registration process. Please feel free to recommend your transfer if you were particularly happy with it.
There is a lot of competition. Be sure to ask vehicle size. If you have skis/boards you will need a larger vehicle, such as MPV or a minivan.
- **www.transferbulgaria.com a long established company for transfers and car hire. All of Bulgaria covered. Car hire too.
- ** www.bulgarian-transport.com Angel Todorov runs a reliable service. Very competitive rates for 09.10 ski season €136 return to Bansko.
- * www.bulgariatransport.com/transfers.html. Winter rates: Alex and his team of drivers are always reliable.
- * www.toprentacar.bg
- http://axemandiscovery.com Great service. Bansko tours are from just 20 BGN
- www.urca.dir.bg. Philip Gologanov runs transfers in modern minivans. Minivan transfer up to 4 persons €134 return
- www.sofiaairporttaxis.co.uk – HHB Travel quote €134 return up to four people. €134 for winter up to Four passengers for 09/10 season
- http://www.mitch-transferbg.com/ Good prices around (from €120 return). Thessaloniki (Greece) transfer options too.
- www.banskoservices.moonfruit.com – The ever helpful Jordan speaks excellent English — a high quality and reliable transfer provider.
- www.autorentbg.com – Radoslav. Drivers vary, but very reliable and good car hire too.
- www.motoroads.com – Very reliable service. Competitive prices and good feedback received for these guys.
- www.earlybirdtransfers.co.uk – Prices on request. Luxury van. Back up vehicles. Recommended. Steve skis and knows his stuff.
- www.transferbulgaria.com – No reports – but efficient on email quote.
- www.rotto.bg – recommended
3. Taxi
http://www.oktaxi.net/cgi-bin/oktaxi.pl?code=main&lang=en - OK taxis several times for longer trips out of Sofia. And its not a bad option – well, its just okay! Make sure it OK Supertrans and that you ALWAYS check the cost per kilometre BEFORE jumping in any taxi. Always check that metre is ON.
They are the official yellow taxis outside airport. If you’re up for some hard bargaining for Sofia… remember its just one way, so start at €50/100 lev. Try and pay €80/160 lev. Let me know how you got on.
If all other options failed. Or you just forgot to book. All is not lost. OK Taxis (Supertrans) will get you there. Try and pick and English speaking driver. Perfect for Sofia trips.
Very poor boot (trunk) space for your baggage. There is a large gas bottle in the boot. It’s propane gas – or the larger methane gas)
www.sofiaairporttaxis.com Not really a taxi service, but part of HHB. (see private transfers)
4. Hire a Car
- ** www.bulgariacarrent.com a long established company for transfers everywhere in Bulgaria and affordable car hire
- ** www.bulgarian-transport.com Angel Todorov runs a low cost and flexibel rental service. Very competitive rates for 09/10 ski season.
- **www.carent.bg A long established company with many positive reports from readers
- * www.toprentacar.bg With an office on 92 Pirin Street in Bansko, the company operates with a car fleet of 200 cars, 80% of which were bought brand new in the last year.
- * www.BulgariaTransport.com Low rates from just €16 per day.
- www.urca.dir.bg Excellent weekend car hire rates. rates from €17/day
- www.mitch-transferbg.com Car hire from €18 per day (for 20+ days) 3 to 7 days from €25 per day
- www.BulgariaTransport.com Low rates from just €16 per day.
- www.autorentbg.com Flexible car hire service. Their yellow mini cooper drew admiring glances driving through remote villages.
- www.autorent.bg
- www.rentacarbg.com
- www.rentacarbulgaria.com
- www.rotto.bg – recommended
- www.transfersbulgaria.com
- http://www.sofiaautorent.com
Directions:
http://banskoaccommodation.blogspot.com/2008/06/getting-there.html for directions from Sofia Airport to Bansko.
Update: Ring Road now a good option as more is complete dual carriage way.
Driving T ips
- Be sure you have a ticket attached to screen for the motorways outside Sofia.
- Check you have winter tyres attached and that the windscreen fluid is full.
- Carry your driving licence.
- Be very careful to obey speed limits.
- SPEED CAMERAS located along E79
Police (Kat) Tips
- Your time spent stopped by police makes it a waste of time speeding.
- 50 km/hr in all towns — exceed this at your peril.
- Be sure you have a road legal vehicle.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Winter tyres are essential.
- Headlights should be switched on during the day as well as night in winter.
- If stopped – be polite. show your licence. If you’re from outside BG you MAY be let off with a caution.
- Don’t be fooled in thinking that the police are corrupt. They now give out 200 bgn fines and driving bans to Bulgarians.
Go to
http://banskoaccommodation.blogspot.com/2008/06/getting-there.html for directions from airport to Bansko. If you have a portable SATNAV (Tom Tom with BG uploaded) or Google Maps on a device, then bring it with you.
If you can recommend other transfer companies or have other useful info, then please can you comment? New companies will be added to the list and recommendation added when received from others.
5. Take the Bus
Why not take the bus? Save the environment and save cash. This is cheap just 14 leva (7 euros approx) each way. It will take longer though. And you have about 12 BGN to get to the bus station… so a shuttle in season is cheaper and much quicker if you arrive at the airport.
Go to Central Bus Station, Sofia for timetable (its in English).
Be warned, this will take time as you have to get to Central Bus Station. Best may be to use Ovcha Kupel bus station. But at least its on the right side of town. You will need to check these times. The bus stops in Blagoevgrad train station for 15 minutes where there is are clean toilet facilities, restauarants and coffee bars for snacks.
Sofia Ovcha Kupal Bus Terminal to Bansko – 07:00, 09:20 (not Tues), 10:30, 11:50 (not Sun), 13:05, 13:55, 14:30, 14:40, 15:10, 15:28 (not Tues), 15:55, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30.
Bansko Bus Terminal to Sofia – 05:40, 07:00, 08:40, 13:15, 15:20 (not Tues).
6. Train
Here’s the link for the timetable: http://www.bdz.bg/ . Go to central train station.
Change of trains is required. It will take you seven hours. Take a good book. Enjoy the scenery — its reported to be well worthwhile.
Thessaloniki Transfer option
Fly to Thessaloniki, hire a car and drive to Bansko from Greece. Car hire costs more but ask mitch and co or bulgariatransport.com to pick you up from there.
It’s a bit further — but getting out of Sofia at busy times makes this an excellent option to consider especially if you fancy time exploring Greece. Try a decent Greek restaurant. Genuine Greek food (especially seafood) surpasses anything you experience in Bulgaria and Bansko!
When I went to Thessaloniki I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Great bars and restaurants and really different from Bulgaria. Be prepared for drinks prices that are equal to, if not more, than London, Paris, Dublin etc.
Quality is high, however, and the weather is almost always warmer than Bulgaria.
Plovdiv Transfer
Why not grab a flight to Plovdiv? For many this is the best city in Bulgaria. I’ve been a few times now and can vouch that it really as a superb city break destination. Cheaper than Sofia and with loads of culture and a ery pleasant old town encompassing a Roman amphitheatre
1. Transfers Bulgaria. The manager, Stoyan Petkov contacted me and sent a picture of a very new looking seven seater. www.transfersbulgaria.com. More reports please on this company and the new Plovdiv Transfer option.
Do you have any more options or transfer stories you can share? Please comment below.
Search www.Banksblog.com on top right hand column for more resources.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been coming to Bansko for almost five years now and I have used all the transport options available (except walking) and I think http://www.axemandiscovery.com has one of the best transfer services out there. Their drivers speak good English, the vehicles are sound and best of all they charge 20 Euros pp each way. I’ve known Emil for a few years now and he is one of the most genuine and down to earth guys I know. I hope you can give them a mention on your blog.
Regards, Richard.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your comment.
I have also had good feedback on Emil, so happy to add him to the guide and an updated version of this post – very soon. I’ll have to check those prices though, as I am not 100% sure he would want to take one person there and back for 40 euros.
Lance
Before we went to Bansko we booked with bulgariatransport as you recomended.The driver George was waiting for us when we land.He was a great guy speaking english.
He was so polite,gentle,nd very vry helpfull and friendly.We will definetly contact him in April to take us from the airport again!
Thank you George!
Hello, there!
I saw your site and was really surprised when I noticed that our company is not mentioned as an option for a private transfer (Sofia – Bansko & back)! Therefore, I decided to post this comment to allow the audience of the forum to have a view of all available options for private airport transfers.
We are a transport firm, supplying a high quality service in transfers, tours and rent-a-car.All our drivers are professionals, English speaking ones, always happy to help you. Now, there are special summer prices for Internet bookings (through our website or via e-mail) which start from 135 Euros for a return trip !!! Try it on : mitch.bg.travel@gmail.com!
Hope that this information will be useful to all of you!
Mitch&Co Ltd team.
Thanks for your transport links Lance, followed one of the tips and booked a return journey on the Bansko Express for the last week of the season. Due to the lack of bookings my son and I had a private car transfer both ways for a total price of €76. You can get cheaper but still thought this was excellent value, with clean cars, pleasant and helpful drivers and very clear instructions. We were not even staying in Bansko as we were out near the golf course, but no problems at all.
Thanks again
Hi Lance,
Great blog you’re having here, tons of useful info about Bulgaria and Bansko.
Just wanted to spread my word about one more vehicle rentals company I’m always using in this region. Mobile Mania Car hire, Sofia. They’ve got a fleet of perfect cars, all new and well equipped. Honestly, best ratio value for money deal I’ve came across.
To all readers: Worthy to try.
Regards
Has anyone else got more reports of using this service? thx Lance
Hi Thekrasi,
Has anyone else tried this car hire company? Do please comment so I can add this to the list.
Lance
PS: Glad you like the blog!
Hey, I really enjoy your blog. I have a blog too in a totally unrelated field (Online Stock Trading) but I like to check in here on a regular basis, just to see what’s going on and it’s always interesting to say the least. It’s always entertaining what people have to say.
Hi All
I am an owner at Chalet Montagne one of the older developments in Bansko now in to its 5th season, for the last 3 years i have used HHB Travel I think they are probably one of the largest an have plenty of backup when the bad weather and flight delays start. Smaller one man companies certainly let me down in the past though its not fair to say which of the companies. HHB are always one of the cheapest to and have new vehicles.
I have heard a new shuttle service is starting Sofia Bansko Transfer Shuttle Comapny but I dont have a web address yet it roumoured only 12 euro per person, but they dont seem to be advertising yet.
You already have HHB listed but here is their site again HHB Transfers
The other option is someone like top rent a car
Hi Joe,
Thank you for sharing this transfer recommendation, and a timely reminder of the excellent bus services from Sofia Bus Station and the Ovcha Kupal station.
Delighted you are having an enjoyable trip — quite a contrast to Australia.
Would love to hear of your tips and recommendations on your travels around Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria.
Thanks again,
Lance
Hi Joe,
The new SHUTTLE transfer service can be found on a new HHB site:
http://www.sofiabanskotransfershuttle.com/. The advertised rate is 12 euros each way and no booking fee. I expect to add this to the shuttle transfer companies today.
Looks like competition for shuttle and transfer business this year will be uhh well, intense.
Thank you for all your other comments and the perspective of someone ho has extensively travelled makes your praise of Bulgaria particularly potent.
I too am a huge Plovdiv fan and have spent some enjoyable days in the Rhodopi. Pasrts of which are very reminiscent for me of France
A few days studying cyrillic really helps getting around… but a Tom Tom navigator, I am told, works well in Bulgaria.
Once again Joe thank you for all your info.
Lance
I used http://www.sofiabanskotransfershuttle.com in Nov 09. Maybe I was the 1st customer ! It was just me and the driver in a 9 seater mini-bus – with a carton of orange juice and Bansko map included – for 12 Euro each way ! Some visitors will undoubtedly be put off going to Bansko by high transfer charges – so it's useful to everyone to know about this service. They were fine. Will use them again.
Hi Pete,
thanks for your comment, this shuttle service, part of HHB, their website now indicates €15 each way. still excellent value. more comments on this shuttle service are welcome.
Thanks to all the blogs above that provide useful advice on how to travel well and still get value for money .
I'm particularly interested as to how easy it is to get up from thessaloniki in January time of year? Are the roads good ? and how long would it typically take to get to bansko?
Penny
Hi Penny,
I've made the journey several times now. And its a lot better than in used to be. In fact it's a v good alternative, and well worth spending a night or two enjoying Thessaloniki. Whilst the new road is not fully complete some large stretches are. All the roads are good. Allow 3 hours journey time to the airport. Any more comments on regular Thessaloniki travelers?
Lance
Hi Penny,
The roads are good. I would say It will typically take just over 3 hours in winter /probably just in the beginning of June – the traffic might be a bit heavier as many Bulgarians are coming back from their New Year holidays in Greece/. Lance has told you – the new road is not ready yet, but still it is now much better and faster that it used to be. And Do NOT over-speed – apart from the safety issues there are usually lots of traffic police in the Bulgarian section on E79 as well.
Philip
I have just returned from second trip to Bansko. Both times I flew into Sofia and rented a car from Penguin travel. If you book far enough in advance you can get a budget car for 15euros a day. Okay, so it it was a bit dated and the interior light didn't work but at that price you can hardly complain. If you want something bigger/posher then they have suitable vehicles but you obviously pay a bit more for them. On both trips there was a rep to meet me at the airport and again at the end to drop off the car.
Poor service for Bansko Shuttle from Sofia to Bansko on Saturday 13th Feb 2010 (half term week). When booked was told the shuttle went every hour. After booking was told that transfer would go at 1500. We arrived 1330 at Sofia and eventually boarded a 40 seat bus that left at 1540. Some people on the bus had waited 3+ hours!
The driver spent a fair bit of time during the journey on his mobile phone! At one point he was reading a pamplet propped on his steerring while while doing 80 Km/ hour (I think it was a betting form).
When we arrived in Bansko it took ages to drop people off (and we were the 4th drop so far from the last). The coach got stuck as it was too big to negotiate the narrow streets and there was a horse and cart in from + snow piled up.
The return journey was fine in a minibus.
From a safety perspective I REFUSE TO CONSIDER THIS COMPANY IN THE FUTURE FOR MY FAMILY.
Hi George,
Sounds like a nightmare you had. Please can post here the you name of the exact shuttle company and/or web site of the company you actually booked with? I am a nervous passenger and I sympathise with how you must have felt with the driver not paying attention.
Has anyone else had similar experience?
I recommend the regular bus service from Ovcha Kupel (just off Tsar Boris III in Sofia) or Sofia Bus station. 14 lv (7 EUR each way). Not great if you have heavy bags but its a very relaxing journey, on time and there's a stop at Blagoevgrad which is good for a loo break and a coffee/snack. See transfers section for more detail.
Expect about 12 lv (6 EUR) to Ovcha Kupel from airport (be v careful that you take a proper OK supertrans taxi (call OK on 029732121. they speak English and has to be one of the best value taxi services anywhere) There are hundred of rip off taxis at the airport.
Have you had a particularly good transfer experience? Then do please comment.
Hi George me and my girlfirend where on the same bus I think i heard you kicking off , but you must admit the snow in resort was bad and flight delays from the UK due to weather conditions had made a BIG problem. 30 euro return we paid for the seats which was so cheap compared to the private transfers. i think you need to think about a private transfer costs a lot more but you say you have a family dont be cheap on them get a private transfer. SORRY to be rude but you get what you pay for and the bit about the driver well out of order, he did a great job and so dio the girl on the coach who personally walked me and my girlfriend upto the front door of a place i had never been too that in fact looked like a war zone….. dont blame the diver and dont blame the shuttle company just admit you bought a coach ticket and it was a BAD day !! Mike n Sue PS we where last off the coach and had a great holiday & would use the shuttle again
hi, just back from a wee 4 day break in Bansko over the weekend which was fab. We used HHB private transfer and they were great both ways. couldn't have been more helpful. My luggage was delayed and they picked it up from the airport off the next flight and delivered it to my hotel the next morning for a small fee. When we were travelling home on Monday morning in the bad snow the driver was very careful.
Hi Blair,
Glad you enjoyed Bansko and that HHB were helpful and redelivering your delayed luggage is clearly top service. Thanks for sharing.
Any more experiences of transfers or travelling around Bulgaria?
Hi Kirsty,
Thank you for the feedback.
I think your comments and others prove how important it is to find a reliable transfer service. It sets the mood for the whole holiday and then sets the final impression when leaving.
I have updated the link to their web site.
thanks again, Lance