When picking out a destination for a ski trip it’s always good to book beforehand your transportation. For those of you who live close to a resort, getting there may be just a matter of packing up the car and driving there. But for those of you who have to fly out, even a 10km trip from the airport may be hell with all your luggage during the winter. If you’re coming to Borovets there are many different forms of transportation you can use and we will cover them in the article.
Just 70km south-east of the Bulgarian capital, you can find the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria – Borovets. Established in 1896, Borovets was first used as a vacation getaway for the Bulgarian elite. Now it’s one of the most popular and family-friendly resorts in Bulgaria. It’s located in the Rila Mountain range, close to the city of Samokov. There are two airports close by that you can travel from – Sofia and Plovdiv.
We will be focusing on transportation from the main and nearest airport, which is the one in Sofia. But for more information on transfers from other airports you can ask us in the comment section below or by e-mail.
Shuttles from Sofia or Plovdiv Airport
One of the most popular options is to book a shuttle transfer from the airport to our Ski & Board Shop or your accommodation in the resort. These can vary in size depending on the group size. It is usually a coach and it departs on a fixed time schedule.
One of Traventuria’s new transfer buses.
Advantages:
>> Low prices. This option gives you the best bang for you buck. With shuttle transfer service you can get transferred from the airport to your hotel for as low as 15 EUR.
>> Qualified drivers who will get you there safely.
>> No need to worry about your luggage.
>> Some companies (Traventuria Ltd. included) offer further discounts on transfers in case you book ski/snowboard packages with them (lift pass, equipment hire and/or tuition).
Disadvantages:
>> The advertised low prices by some companies are for groups of 10+ people. If you are traveling with less in your group the price will be higher than advertised on their websites.
>> Some transport companies offer transfer services illegally and without proper registration. Just because they have a fancy website, doesn’t mean they can legally offer transportation. Beware of property management companies or hotel websites, who offer shuttle transfers without a tour operator’s license.
>> When choosing a “shared” shuttle, you may need to wait in the airport for the other passengers to arrive.
BOOK CHEAP SHUTTLE TRANSFERS TO BOROVETS RESORT
Car Rental
Another option is renting your own car and driving yourself around. As expected, this one is, also, of the more expensive options. If you feel like a confident enough driver to take on Bulgarian roads, this could be a viable option in Borovets. You won’t be using the car very much in the resort itself, but you would be able to explore the surrounding area in a better way. As with any rent-a-car, prices depend on what and when you book. We suggest going for a 4×4 option, as snow cleaning of the roads in Bulgaria isn’t that great.
Advantages:
>> Do what you want, when you want.
>> No one to bother you during your trip.
>> Easy way to go eat dinner in Samokov, rather than in Borovets.
Disadvantages:
>> Not really necessary to have a car in Borovets. It will probably be parked in front of the hotel most of the time.
>> Hidden charges. Make sure to get insurance for the car for any damages.
>> Parking in Borovets is very little and is not free. Except in front of your hotel.
>>The road to Borovets is a second class road, which can be terrible during snow storm. Or even the week after one. So, If you can’t put snow chains on car wheels, you’d better waive this option.
Public Transport
For those of you looking for the cheapest possible option, and are staying in Sofia before going to Borovets, or just prefer a more local approach, you can travel by public transport. There are buses every 30 minutes from bus station “South” that go to the city of Samokov. From there you will need to transfer to the bus to Borovets and then walk to your hotel (which may be 3-4km out of the resort). Total travel time from Sofia to Samokov is about 1:20 hours. The travel time from Samokov to Borovets is another 20-30 minutes, and again, there are buses every 30 minutes.
Advantages:
>> Cheapest option out there. One direction will cost you around 5 euros.
>> More local approach.
Disadvantages:
>> The bus station is far away from the airport (although this can be reached by a subway, starting at Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport).
>> Much longer travel time. You will also have to switch buses.
>> The bus will drop you off in Borovets at the bus station, which can be far from your hotel, depending where you are staying.
>> Thieves and pickpockets. It wouldn’t be anything new if some of your luggage doesn’t make the journey. Keep your eyes peeled at every stop.
Taxi
The most expensive way to get to Borovets is by taxi. You can get one from the airport and they will drive you directly to your hotel in Borovets. Travelers who choose this option should be wary as most cab drivers will take advantage of you the first chance they get. We would suggest taking a cab from “OK Supertrans” as they have an office inside the airport terminal and will assist you as much as possible. But still, while in Bulgaria be extra cautious when catching a cab. Always check the price and keep a look out for copy-cat companies. These will have almost an identical logo with the real companies, but will charge you 3-4 times higher price.
OK Super Trans is the official taxi company for the Sofia airport
Advantages:
>> No need to book in advance.
>> Airport to hotel transport.
>> Additional stops along the way, such as commission-free change’s, to get local Bulgarian levs.
Disadvantages:
>> Expensive. Expect hidden charges too.
>> Drivers will probably not speak English and you’ll be lucky if they know where your hotel is in Borovets.
>> Little luggage space. Taxis in Bulgaria often drive on LPG or Methane, which means they have a big bottle in the trunk.
>> Cars in bad condition. Taxi drivers don’t prepare for long trips like this. Even though they have nice new cars, things like good winter tires are rarely a priority.
Traventuria Ltd. is fully bonded tour operator, transferring thousands of clients each season to and from Borovets. People who have bought ski packs from us receive further discount on their transfer rates. For more details see HERE.
Still got questions? Please get in touch with us directly through our contact section or leave a comment below.
