Transport
Sofia Airport to Bansko transfers, shuttle buses, taxis and hire car options are all here. It’s THE guide for traveling to Bansko. But first, when I go on holiday, I need to be able to relax and be confident that everything has been taken care of. I don’t want to have to think.
I want peace of mind.
This is why I recommend visitors, in ski season, to also visit my discounted ski & snowboard hire, lessons and lift passes, packages page. Booking a Bansko transfer and a ski package, that suits your requirements, could not be simpler. Everything is organised well before you arrive in Bansko.
No queuing. No hassle.
I am passionate about offering a Bansko service that is second to none — so from the moment you email a question (but click on FAQ’s first, please), to meeting your driver at the airport, to the day you leave Bansko we have it covered. Providing a Bansko experience that will have you wanting to return for more. Read You Say for why others book online here. I even have a transfer guarantee (see blow) as well as ski package guarantee.
Click on the image below below for transfer only (for out of ski season bookings). Please subscribe to newsletter for booking form on right side column for your
Click on image above to open ONLINE bookng form
free 34 page ebook “The Essential Guide to Bansko.” The guide provides up to date tips to getting the most out of your time in Bansko. What’s more you receive updates, all for free. Click on image to download prices and booking form, which includes prices, and booking, for discounted ski hire, lessons and lift passes.
NOTE: Pay your driver in the currency of your choice: EUR €s, BGN levs or UK £s.
TRANSFER GUARANTEE
If your transfer driver (Bansko Blog online bookings only) is not waiting for you at the airport when you arrive, then you receive €50 as compensation. If for any reason due to the fault of the driver your transfer does not arrive at all you receive all your money back plis €50.
So book your transfer here with confidence.
reliable. safe . friendly.
Relax in the knowledge that you are not only getting value for money, but will be transported in a modern and properly maintained vehicle.
Many vehicles are less than two years old. All use winter tyres (in winter) and are insured. Organising a large group? No problem, email for bus transfers for 16+ persons . Book 15 persons and under online, just click on the form.
* This asterix means that it is a banskoblog supporting company. Please note that I am unable to take any liability for the transfers and transport information on this web site.
Our transfers have free ski and snow board carriage, bag allowance. Late or early transfers, no extra charge. Free child seats too.
=====================================================
Eight ways to get to Bansko:
1. private transfer
2. hire car or minivan rental
3. shuttle bus services – - shuttles operate in ski season only, and for specific flights. Booking essential.
4. taxi
5. bus from the bus station(s): public services
6. train
7. fly to Thessaloniki (Greece) or to Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and transfer from there
8. Plovdiv airport transfer
1. Private Transfer
Click on image above to open ONLINE bookng form. Skip ski hire/lessons.lift pass to get to transfer booking.
OFFER: £112 return for vehicle up to three persons. If you have skis/boards you will need a larger vehicle, such as MPV or a minivan. Indicate number of people, check in baggage, skis, boards and boots.
2. Hire a Car
- *www.urca.dir.bg Excellent weekend car hire rates. Great service from Philip.
- * 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.
Directions: Watch VideoRing Road now most used option. On return careful at Pernik. On ring road returning back to Sofia airport look out for sign to Mladost. Take this. Signposted thereafter.
=================================================
Driving Tips
- Be sure you have a ticket (vignette) attached to screen for the motorways outside Sofia.
- Check you have winter tyres are fitted, and that the windscreen fluid is full.
- Carry your driving licence; and passport if a foreigner.
- Be very careful to obey speed limits. Caution on leaving towns
- SPEED cameras x 4 (as at 10/09/11) located along E79 – see video
- Have a contact number to call in case of problem/accident
Police (Kat): Read This!!
- 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 are in a road legal vehicle.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Winter tyres, in winter, are essential
- Snow chains are required by law
- 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 always corrupt. They now give out 200 BGN fines and driving bans to Bulgarians, and others.
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. But be careful with Tom Tom and other SatNav directions to Bansko. 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. Using BanskoBlog transfer helps support this site!
3. 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. 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. ..” Do check with company that you will not be waiting for another flight. Note that buses from both Sofia bus station and Ovcha Kupel (sofia) are generally very reliable and charge 15 lv per person each way. Bansko bus station at bottom of town by the Florimont Hotel.
4. 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. 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 an 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 bottle that;s taking up that space.
5.Take the Bus Why not take the bus? Save the environment and save cash. This is cheap just 15 leva (7.5 euros approx) each way. It will take longer though. And you have about 14 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 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.
7. Thessaloniki Transfer Fly to Thessaloniki, hire a car and drive to Bansko from Greece. Car hire costs a little more. 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) is a must. Thessaloniki has an excellent atmosphere. Great bars and restaurants and really different from Bulgaria. Be prepared for drinks prices that are equal to, if not more, than other cities such as London, Paris, Moscow, Dublin etc. Quality is high, however, and the weather is almost always warmer than you’ll find in Bulgaria.
8. 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. 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.Banskoblog.com on top right hand column for more resources. If you enjoyed this article, and would like to receive more like this, then simply register for email newsletter. You’ll also receive the updated Essential Guide to Bansko to getting the best out of Bansko, snow reports, events, interviews, wine reviews, restaurant reviews, life in Bulgaria, guest posts, Sofia info…and more.
WARNING: Beware Of Rogue Bansko Transfer and Hire Car Companies! 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 vignette (ticket). Don’t risk a car that you are not certain is safe to be in. There is plenty of less than brilliant driving in Bulgaria – a reliable transfer driver is not a nice to have, it is essential. Be absolutely certain of a safe transfer. 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. A “one man van” operator may leave you stranded.
What if the vehicle broke down for some time? Do they have a network of drivers and vehicles in both Bansko and Sofia? Don’t risk it, book transfers here hassle free and online.
{ 7 trackbacks }
{ 36 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?
Hello,
I'd really appreciate if you could help me with more detalils about how to get to Thessaloniki from Bansko. We are a group of students coming in two weeks in Bansko with an international project and we would like to visit Thessalonoki also. Which is better way: to rent a car or to take the train?also, we you could also inform us about the prices , including the prices of the train or recommend a site where we could find out more about?
We'd be truly grateful,
Thank you!
Hi Maddy,
please see article above for options. mitch and co, motoroads and bulgarian transport who will hire you a car or drive you which might be the most sensible way.
train is not an option. top rentacar also rent cars out of Bansko. the drive is an easy one, but be careful of car crime in Thessaloniki. All in all it's well worth the trip for fabulous food and the warm weather in Greece.
Hi All,
We traveled from Bansko to Sofia this February by Bus. Not a bad option if you like to spend some time in Sofia. Trip itself was OK, every thing like at home in Russia. The only bad thing was toilet at Bansko bus station, it was shocking! Also you need to consider that you’ll not be able to get any advice from people around as only people speaking English are tourists like you. At the Sofia bus station (www.centralnaavtogara.bg) there’s a cloak-room open 24h.
Off-topic: I would recommend to following places we have visited in Sofia: Buda bar (www.budabar.bg) and Laguna (www.laguna-bg.com).
Hi Dmitry,
Thank you for your comment and tips. I will just add that there are also regular, schedules busses also from Ovcha Kupal bus station (just off Tsar Bris III Blvd) around 8 km outside the centre of Sofia but close to the ring road interchange (for the main road to Blagoevrad E79)
Yes i am a big fab of the Buddha bar… in sunshine, on the terrace, it is wonderful place to relax and people watch. I must try Laguna as i have not been there. i will be doing an article on my favourite places in Sofia, as I'm spending a lot of time in Sofia. But please let me know yours! Lance
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your transfer recommendation.
Their 1-3 persons is quoted as 144 euros: whih is a little more than average which seems to be around 135 euros. But if the service is good, and I receive comments from others then I will be happy to include.
Great blog! Thanks for the information.
hi lance, great to see back on air look forword to all the news.lance i am going to bansko via ryan air to plovdiv 23/11/2010=30/11/2010 could you tell me the best way to get there i was thinking of a transfare as i dont want to drive as this is my first time flying to plovdiv and am not sure what the roads ect, are like i normally drive from sofia to bansko which is no problem many thanks and keep up the good work,alan
Hi Alan,
Please complete form and you will receive a price which is only a little more than Sofia price. It is a good option rather than hiring a ar. That said, the journey is a windy road — but navigationally really simple if you do decide to hire a car.
Aim for Velingrad (maybe take lunch there) and be sure to buy the fabulous honey and blackcurrent jam by the roadside when you see it. Lance
Hi Lance: Our family is going to visit Melnik after Bansko in August 2011 and we need to learn about the options for getting from Bansko to Melnik via bus, etc. We are trying to weigh whether to try taking a bus or to instead hire someone to drive us. It seems a long shot to be able to rent a car in Bansko–but we will go from Bansko to Melnik and then to Devin and on to Plovdiv so theoretically if the price was right we could rent a car in Bansko if we might leave it in Plovdiv? We are interested in any ideas or information. Thanks!! Sally
Hi Sally,
Thank you for your question. Hiring a car and being able to leave it at Plovdiv is, as far as i am aware, not an option.
As far as I am aware, there is no direct bus to Melnik. You should get the bus to Blagoevgrad and from there go to Melnik. A somewhat tortuous journey I would suggest.
If you are generally accustomed to driving overseas, then don't let me put you off hiring a car. You will see a hire car quote widget in the right hand column of this site. They are are based in Bansko if you prefer to rent here rather than Sofia. That said, I would think about employing a driver with a car. So much more relaxing — and probably informative. Please check out full listing here: http://banskoblog.com/sofia-transfers/ . Alternatively drop me an email for recommendations along with your dates.
I am flying into Plovdiv in February and need to transfer to Bansko. I have previously taken the public bus from Sofia to Bansko to save on the high cost of a transfer which was great, but can’t seem to find much info on the bus service available from and to Plovdiv- any help very much appreciated!
please go to transport page http://banskoblog.com/sofia-transfers/ or drop me an email and I can recommend someone for you who will do a Plovdiv transfer… don;t forget to prebook your ski hire — keeps this site going
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