Do I need visa? How long can we stay?

A visa is not required for USA and EU member states citizens for stay up to 30 days. Travelers who intend to stay more than 30 days must secure a Bulgarian visa. Bulgarian visas are issued at the Bulgarian embassies around the world (view addresses of Bulgarian embassies abroad). Travelers of most other nationalities are issued visas. The fees depend on the type of visa – transit, tourist or business.

Can I use Traveller's cheques in Bulgaria?

Yes. Traveller's cheques must be cashed at banks and most of them charge a commission.

Where it is possible to exchange money in Bulgaria?

Money can be exchanged safely at most banks and also at reputable exchange bureaus. Hotels and airports tend to give less favorable rates. Exchange bureaus are no longer allowed to charge a commission for money exchange, so check this first. Never change money with anyone who stops you on the street and offers you a better rate.

Are cash machines widely used?

Yes. Cash machines are widely available in cities, larger towns and resorts and provide a convenient access to local currency (BGL - lev). All major European and North American credit and debit cards are accepted - VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, etc. Usually cash machines are situated close to entrance of banks, supermarkets, hotels, large office buildings, etc.

Are there any GSM/Cellular mobile operators in Bulgaria?

There are three GSM 900/1800 mobile operators - M-Tel, GloBul and Vivatel. All of them cover about 92 percent of the surface of Bulgaria.

Where I can use Internet during stay in Bulgaria?

Almost all towns have at least one Internet club and rates are exceptionally good. Large hotels and many of the newer private ones also offer Internet facilities.

Is it expensive in Bulgaria?

Visitors from Western Europe and America find prices in Bulgaria 2-3 times cheaper. For example a beer is about 0.5 ?, a bottle of excellent red wine is 3 ?, a dinner in good restaurant is 6 ? a person. Craft souvenirs, textile, shoes etc. are also good purchase but be careful not to mix them with the cheaper and low quality turkish immitations.

How much will cost one day stay in Bulgaria?

It is varies from region you want to stay. But at all - despite price rises and comparatively high costs in Sofia, Plovdiv and along the coast, the essentials remain inexpensive. If you're camping and buying food in local markets, you can live on ? 15-20 a day. Staying in modest hotels or private rooms and eating out regularly, ? 30-40 should be sufficient, while on a daily budget of ? 50 or above you can enjoy a very good life, staying in mid-range hotels and taking taxis everywhere. Only if you require business-class accommodation will you need more than that.

Are there cheap airline companies that offer cheap flights to Bulgaria?

Wizz Air, the largest low fare - low cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, announced that it would start flights from Sofia to Budapest and would also offer connections to London and Frankfurt from 18 September 2005. Other cheap flight to Bulgaria can be found from some last minute offers of International travel agents. Also, there are a lot of charter cheap flights to Bulgaria offered to Varna and Bourgas leaving from Western Europe especially in the summer tourist season.

What about public transport in Sofia?

There are busses, trams, troleys, metro and route taxi (mini-buses) in Sofia.Public transport in Sofia runs daily from 5.30 till 23.30 and covers most of the city. Single trip tickets cost 0.70 leva (about 0.35 eurocents) and are sold at kiosks at the major stops of the vehicle. If you transfer you must use another ticket. If you luggage exceeds the size 60x40x40 you have to punch a second ticket. Tickets are inspected at random by controllers. The fine is 7.00 leva. For route taxies the ticket vary from the route and is sold in the mini bus.

What is the purchasing power in Bulgaria?

PURCHASING POWER

Report Navigator	Summary by market segment (Minimum prices compared)
Food	Basic commodities Bread, Rice, Spaghetti & Flour in UK are approximately 4x Bulgarian price (Minimum prices compared) Dairy products in UK are approximately 2x Bulgarian price (Minimum prices compared) Meat cuts in UK are approximately 5x Bulgarian prices (Minimum prices compared) Fruit & Vegetables prices in UK vary from 3x cost to 1.5x cost in Bulgaria . Greater parity of prices is observed on imported (unseasonal) products. Coffee - Both Fresh ground & Instant coffee in UK is 2x cost of Bulgaria but UK brands are not available. Soft drinks - Coca Cola in UK is almost 3x Cost of UK
Restaurants / Take away meals	Pricing has been based on 'popular restaurants' and the cost of a 3 course meal in UK is approx. 3x cost of a Bulgarian restaurant. Take away meals in UK are approx. 2.5x cost in Bulgaria.
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco	Alcohol and Tobacco - Locally produced Bulagarian wines and spirits are 2/5 cost of UK , and Tobacco products are up to 19x more expensive in UK than Bulgaria.
Hairdressing	Hairdressing costs for men & women in UK are 5x cost of Bulgaria hairdressing services
Household	Basic Household products in UK are approximately 2x cost of similar products in Bulgaria
Domestic help	Domestic help - Babysitting, House Cleaning and Nanny costs in UK are approx. 8x cost of the same services in Bulgaria
Clothing	Mens clothing and footwear in UK are up to 4x price in Bulgaria.
Household Appliances	Household electrical appliances are much closer to parity between Bulgaria & UK - however there are low cost products on the Bulgarian market that will not appeal to UK consumers
Communications, Leisure & Media	National newspapers in Bulgaria are under 1/3 cost of UK , Cable Television subscription in Bulgaria is 1/10 cost of similar service in UK.
Utilities	Cost of water, electricity and gas in UK varies between 4x to 3x cost in Bulgaria
Transport	Public Transport - Buses in Cities 14x more expensive in UK than Bulgaria , Train Fare is 4.5x more expensive in UK, Petrol is 1.7x more costly in UK , and Taxis are 22x more expensive in UK

What is the weather like?

Winters are cold and sunny, summers are warm and sunny. There are about 250 sunny days a year. The average January temperatures are around -5°C in the valleys and ski resort. Average summer temperatures vary between 14°C and 19°C. The air is crystal-clear and fragrant with the smell of pines. Chill mineral water gushes down mountain streams abundant in trout. There is no dust or air pollution and the atmosphere abounds in ultraviolet rays.