Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Car Hire Bansko
Author:Stuart Lancaster
posts : 12 (Beginner)Date : 12-17-12 15:27Car Hire Bansko
Hiya,I'm thinking of driving to Bankso from Sofia this year. I'm happy with the cost, but can someone get back to me with the feasibilty of this, i.e road conditions, ease of getting there etc.
Thanks
re: Car Hire Bansko
If you know the way it's not too bad. Roads are a mixed bag but seem to get better each year - there are still sections with big ole pot-holes you just have to keep your wits about you. Make sure any wheel trims are cable tied to the wheels as missing ones will cost you on return of the vehicle.
An issue with driving is the road signs are mainly / all in Bulgarian, and sat nav maps don't take you the best way (but will ultimately get you there..)
I've done both car hire and transfer ...
An issue with driving is the road signs are mainly / all in Bulgarian, and sat nav maps don't take you the best way (but will ultimately get you there..)
I've done both car hire and transfer ...
If you know the way it's not too bad. Roads are a mixed bag but seem to get better each year - there are still sections with big ole pot-holes you just have to keep your wits about you. Make sure any wheel trims are cable tied to the wheels as missing ones will cost you on return of the vehicle.
An issue with driving is the road signs are mainly / all in Bulgarian, and sat nav maps don't take you the best way (but will ultimately get you there..)
I've done both car hire and transfer and have to say given that there isn't a great deal in it cost wise when you factor in fuel etc, I would always opt for a transfer - it's just so much less stressful. I'm a more than confident driver, but didn't enjoy it at all. That said though, both times it was in darkness, so no doubt would have been better during the day.
Driving is more than feasible, but do your research on the route in advance. Banskoblog had a video of the best route sped up to about 3mins... might help.
An issue with driving is the road signs are mainly / all in Bulgarian, and sat nav maps don't take you the best way (but will ultimately get you there..)
I've done both car hire and transfer and have to say given that there isn't a great deal in it cost wise when you factor in fuel etc, I would always opt for a transfer - it's just so much less stressful. I'm a more than confident driver, but didn't enjoy it at all. That said though, both times it was in darkness, so no doubt would have been better during the day.
Driving is more than feasible, but do your research on the route in advance. Banskoblog had a video of the best route sped up to about 3mins... might help.
re: Car Hire Bansko
Excellent thank for you the advice.We would normally get a transfer but we are hoping to drive to Borovets for a day too..
Out if interest, what is wrong with the Sat Nav route?
re: Car Hire Bansko
I just think they generally don't take you to quickest route... there is obviously more than 1 way to get there and one is quicker.Again though - maybe some sat-navs are better than others... a bit of research in this area might go a long way.
Last time I drove it was about 3.5 hrs following the route on the sat-nav and taking it fairly easy. Transfer is more like 2.5 - again though taking it fairly easy. A large part of the route I didn't recognize as being the same as I'd driven.
re: Car Hire Bansko
Ok. Thank You.I will look at the video you have linked, then add those via points to the Sat Nav. That should do the trick
re: Car Hire Bansko
That sounds like a good ideaFrom talking to others at the time it sounded like the BG mapping in general is a bit out of date... bearing in mind the constant infra development (which is still ongoing) its no great surprise. So as long as the sat nav know the roads exist should be a-ok....
Try to follow the video to get you out Sofia via the ring road. That in itself will save time as I got brought through the centre of Sofia (painful)
Good luck Soldier
re: Car Hire Bansko
Thank you very much for your help. Roll on January
re: Car Hire Bansko
Hope it doesn't snow, Sofia at 1000m can get it bad, and the route the sat nav will take you (ie, shortest route) will have you over the Rhodope... and you do not want to be there. The route if planned with passing through Blagoevgrad should bring you down on the E79 signposted Kulata. This is a far better road though slighty longer. Make sure the car has snow tyres, and chains, a legal requirement here in the mountains, winter screen wash (the cars get filthy) and if a diesel, run winter ...
Hope it doesn't snow, Sofia at 1000m can get it bad, and the route the sat nav will take you (ie, shortest route) will have you over the Rhodope... and you do not want to be there. The route if planned with passing through Blagoevgrad should bring you down on the E79 signposted Kulata. This is a far better road though slighty longer. Make sure the car has snow tyres, and chains, a legal requirement here in the mountains, winter screen wash (the cars get filthy) and if a diesel, run winter fuel, the temps dropped to -34 last January..
All in all, great fun... and the drive to Boro ? 140km on the snow, great fun again good luck...
All in all, great fun... and the drive to Boro ? 140km on the snow, great fun again
good luck... 