Plovdiv & the Southern Mountains - Romania and Bulgaria - page 742

Stara Zagora 6 lv 2hr 6

Sliven 11.40 lv 4 hr 2

Bansko 8.20 lv 6 hr 2

(via Septemvri)

Karlovo 3.90 lv 2hr 5

Sofia 9/7 lv* 2½hr* 14

Svilengrad 7.40 lv 3½hr 3

*denotes express trains
Plovdiv's train station (bul Hristo Botev) is well organised, though the staff don't
speak English. Computer screens at the station entrance and in the underpass leading to
the platforms list recent arrivals and upcoming departures. The luggage-storage (2 lv per
bag for 24 hours) office is always open.
For international tickets see the Rila Bureau ( 446 120; 8am-6.30pm Mon-Sat) ,
on a side street paralleling bul Hristo Botev.

Getting Around

Plovdiv is best experienced on foot. Much of the old town is off-limits to cars anyway, so
with a taxi your 'final destination' will be outside the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa on ul
Sâborna, where all cars must turn back (at night the street is usually open). Although taxi
drivers conscientiously use meters, a few offenders charge rates as opprobrious as 4 lv per
kilometre; the daytime base rate should be around 0.93 lv per kilometre, slightly higher at
night.
For car rental, Tourist Service Rent-a-Car ( 623 496; Trimontium Princess Hotel)
and Avis ( 934 481; Novotel) are well known but expensive; travel agencies along the
mall or the tourist information centre can find better prices.