REPORTAGE. I travelled for 22 hours on the train where foreigners experience unique situations: "It's the dirtiest train I've ever seen." A Bulgarian journalist also made the return journey and saw the "monster" of Videle

Saturday, Aug 2, 2025

HotNews

Travel between Bucharest and Sofia by train involves long, slow journeys with varying conditions and contrasts across both countries.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The journey by train between Bucharest and Sofia takes at least ten and a half hours, significantly longer than the under six hours required by car, partly due to the railway distance being 170 km longer. The article details the international “Romania” train service, which features carriages from Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria, operating daily from June to October. The journey involves slow travel with many stops; for instance, the Bucharest-Sofia route is 537 km by rail versus 380 km by road, resulting in a ten and a half-hour trip despite the train’s average speed being low. Passengers often face issues like old carriages lacking air conditioning or toilets. While the ticket price can be much cheaper than flying, travelers must prepare for long journeys with limited amenities. The experience highlights contrasts between modern facilities (like some parts of Sofia station) and neglected areas, both in Romania and Bulgaria. Bulgarian railway infrastructure shows improvements after Ruse, where the train changes composition. Travelers who undertake this slow journey are often international tourists seeking a unique travel experience, while local commuters find it an affordable alternative to flying.

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