Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Its a doddle, could have done it on my pushbike....
Well, no.. its not.. The best route we have found is to go over to Belgium (or France up to), into Germany, Austria, Hungary, into Serbia and eventually Bulgaria.. Approx 1850 miles taking a couple of days... You will have to pay at the Serbian border a tax (green card tax) likely around 100 E, and road tolls, but they are not to bad. Mainland Europe is quite easy, sticking to major routes and trying to avoid major cities, the A3 is quick, but there are a number of areas with road works. When finally into the former E block, your sat nav might throw its toys out of its pram, make sure you have the latest version of E European maps, lots of roadworks, and route changes... Fuel costs do not vary to much all the way, and there are plenty of services, even in Hungary and Serbia... If considering an overnight stop, Hungary can be a lot cheaper than say Austria, sometimes worth driving on a bit to save 50E a head...
The reason we come through Hungary, rather than the shortest route through Slovenia and Croatia, is that you will have to pay Vignettes in both (like our road tax) and it can add up to nearly 100E (for our minbus), and the roads in Hungary are superb also.
I'd like to say its lots of fun, it ain't, its a long drive, can be hectic, and always the fear of breakdown, European recovery is a must, and decent all-cover insurance, and watch your speed, 400E fines on the spot are not unknown in Serbia, or Romania if deciding to come that way (don't by the way.. its crap)
Anything else, give us a shout

A round trip of 3300 miles, how much fuel will you use?, at 50mpg you would use approx 300litres costing around £400, unless there are a few of you surely better and cheaper to fly!!. or are you going one way in order to leave the vehicle out there for future use. Dont forget the extra costs of winter tyres and snow chains, they are compulsory in many countries.

We are driving down to the Aosta Valley in Jan, but would think twice about a journey of this distance for a relatively short holiday.

If you do go ahead do post up your anecdotes for us to read it may help others who are cosidering it.

done the trip a few times, and have to agree the hungary/serbia route is the best, but those (cant use ***) serbs!!!!! bit of a rip off that country, anyway apart from them, the route is all motorway/dual carriageway untill the alst 100k or so in serbia, great scenery though as you go through the valley and all those tunnels!! reasonable break times are Frankfurt and Budapest, good sightseeing as well if youve got time, though the last time i did it it took 30 hours from weston to Sofia, with a couple of hours kip outside vienna in one of the layby/overnight stop places, took a few redbulls as well!!!!

Hi

Yes we are taking the car out, with five of us and then flying back and leaving the car there. Got a further two trips in February planned, as well as friends staying in Feb and then trips in the summer and so hoping to save a lot of money on car hire by having it over there (subject to it making it!!)

You can't miss it, its a Mistubishi Pajero painted like the a-team van and a big safari rack on top!! Give us a wave if you see us around Borovets!

Thanks for the advice all, much appreciated.

Richard

Hi

We have done the trip 8 times now - do belgium, down through germany, austria, croatia, slovenia and serbia - and yes the green card for serbia does cost you 110euros but much quicker than the Romania way.... Again, like Fraser it takes us a similar time although last time we came back (a couple of weeks ago) we did stay in a hotel en route so it took a bit longer...normally we just crash in the car for a few hours....! We did do the Hungary route in May, but prefer the croatia / slovenia route but don't think there is much in it...

Also, go online and print out your petrol / diesel prices before you go...eg; Austria was much cheaper than say germany or even croatia....and you end up saving quite a lot...