Currency

The local currency in Bulgaria is Bulgarian Lev (Lv.) 1 Euro = approximately 1.95 Lv. A big part of the hotels, big stores and restaurants accept VISA, MASTER (and some of them also AMERICAN EXPRESS) cards. Small restaurants and shops do not do this; therefore one should have Leva in cash. ATM machines are largely present and almost all exchange offices have good rates for the major foreign currencies (Euro, USD, Swiss franc and English pound) and no commission for change. As usual, avoid changing important sums of money at the airport since the rates there are among the least favorable.

How to Travel

How to reach Sofia: There are daily flights to Sofia from all European capitals (and main cities) and by all European national air companies (some of them with more than one flight per day). Sofia Airport (www.sofia-airport.bg) has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. All major air companies operate from the new Terminal 2, some low budget companies operate from Terminal 1. From nearby countries (Greece, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey) Sofia can be reached also by train or bus.

How to travel inside Sofia:

- by bus, trolley, tramway or metro, operated by Sofia Public Transport Company (www.sofiatraffic.bg). The ticket can be bought in advance or inside from the driver. The cost is 1.00 Lv. The ticket must be punched after getting in and is valid usually only for one travel. There are also magnetic cards available (we are on the way to change usual tickets with magnetic cards, but both are used now). A luggage exceeding 60/40/40 needs a second ticket punched.

- by taxi: for those who arrive at the airport we strongly advise to arrange the taxi inside the arriving hall at the desk of one of the companies: "OK Supertrans" taxi company (www.oktaxi.net). You will be directed to a taxi by the person from the corresponding desk. The cost per kilometer in Sofia is approximately 0.80 Lv. (Bulgarian Leva) during the day and approximately 0.90 Lv. during the night. Plus some initial costs. At the International Bus Station there is no office of the above taxi companies but usually representatives are available outside at the taxi station. The Central Railway Station (which is just next to the International Bus Station) does not dispose with representatives of these companies, so one should arrange a taxi by himself. The cars of these two companies carry the corresponding names. There are also other taxi (some of them with names very close to the above given ones)- all practically with the same prices - when you take a taxi make sure you see that prices posted on the windows of the cab.