Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Driving
Author:
posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-13-06 23:54re: Driving
I'm sorry... but anyone who's considering renting a car in bulgaria who is not a bulgarian must be mad...The coach transfer drivers jump red lights, take on golf's on the wrong side of the road, the taxi's just spin round the hairpins, the polis even pull over to let the taxi's go by....
just don't do it!
re: Driving
AmenPP
re: Driving
Hmmm... Lots of very strong opinions, and all of you agree driving not a good idea. Better stick with taxis then
In my defence, I am Bulgarian/Australian
re: Driving
Bloody hell, bet that causes one big language problem Dani!!!!!!!!PP
re: Driving
We always hire cars but have not tried during the winter months. Driving in the main cities and large towns can be confusing and a bit scary but once out from Sofia the drive to Bansko is not bad at all. The roads are quiet and we have not found the signs too much of a problem. Just buy a map in Bulgarian and English at one of the modern petrol stations for you to compare and you will have ne problem. Keep within the speed limits as the police are quiet keen even in rural areas. Some ...
We always hire cars but have not tried during the winter months. Driving in the main cities and large towns can be confusing and a bit scary but once out from Sofia the drive to Bansko is not bad at all. The roads are quiet and we have not found the signs too much of a problem. Just buy a map in Bulgarian and English at one of the modern petrol stations for you to compare and you will have ne problem. Keep within the speed limits as the police are quiet keen even in rural areas. Some roads are in poor condition and the traffic tends to weave around on these roads to avoid pot holes but I certainly wouldn't put anyone off. In fact from what the other posters are saying about the transfer coaches it sounds less risky to take your time and drive yourself. There are loads of car hire companies in Sofia that will deliver to the airport and collect at the end of your stay and are very reasonable cost wise. They will supply you with snow chains in case you need them. They must be good at clearing the main roads otherwise no one would get to Bansko in the winter months.
re: Driving
Lynne, thanks for your comment. I'm swayed again.
We have driven in Bulgaria a lot (in summer though), along the whole of the Black Sea coast and to Sofia and back. We had no problems at all, even though we were stopped by police for a routine check once. I know the roads can vary a lot, there are some that are really bad, lots of pot holes, but I would assume the roads to the main resorts should be in reasonable condition.
My main concern is how quickly they clear the snow off the ...
We have driven in Bulgaria a lot (in summer though), along the whole of the Black Sea coast and to Sofia and back. We had no problems at all, even though we were stopped by police for a routine check once. I know the roads can vary a lot, there are some that are really bad, lots of pot holes, but I would assume the roads to the main resorts should be in reasonable condition.
My main concern is how quickly they clear the snow off the ...
Lynne, thanks for your comment. I'm swayed again.
We have driven in Bulgaria a lot (in summer though), along the whole of the Black Sea coast and to Sofia and back. We had no problems at all, even though we were stopped by police for a routine check once. I know the roads can vary a lot, there are some that are really bad, lots of pot holes, but I would assume the roads to the main resorts should be in reasonable condition.
My main concern is how quickly they clear the snow off the roads. I don't want to have to wait for ages for them to clear the road to Plovdiv or Chepelare (say) if we wanted to go there. Second concern is is it safe to park the car outside the hotel (staying at Murgavets), I don't want to have to deal with stolen cars and such...
Cheers,
Dani
We have driven in Bulgaria a lot (in summer though), along the whole of the Black Sea coast and to Sofia and back. We had no problems at all, even though we were stopped by police for a routine check once. I know the roads can vary a lot, there are some that are really bad, lots of pot holes, but I would assume the roads to the main resorts should be in reasonable condition.
My main concern is how quickly they clear the snow off the roads. I don't want to have to wait for ages for them to clear the road to Plovdiv or Chepelare (say) if we wanted to go there. Second concern is is it safe to park the car outside the hotel (staying at Murgavets), I don't want to have to deal with stolen cars and such...
Cheers,
Dani
re: Driving
Hi Dani
The road from Sofia to Plovdiv is very good and I as it is a main route I really think this would be cleared fairly quickly. I have not driven from Plovdiv to Chepelare but as it is the road to Pamporovo I would think it would be a priority for clearing for traffic to get to the resort. We were in Bulgaria the middle of March last year and travelled to rural areas as we were property hunting we did not have any problems then, the roads were clear other than very high up where ...
The road from Sofia to Plovdiv is very good and I as it is a main route I really think this would be cleared fairly quickly. I have not driven from Plovdiv to Chepelare but as it is the road to Pamporovo I would think it would be a priority for clearing for traffic to get to the resort. We were in Bulgaria the middle of March last year and travelled to rural areas as we were property hunting we did not have any problems then, the roads were clear other than very high up where ...
Hi Dani
The road from Sofia to Plovdiv is very good and I as it is a main route I really think this would be cleared fairly quickly. I have not driven from Plovdiv to Chepelare but as it is the road to Pamporovo I would think it would be a priority for clearing for traffic to get to the resort. We were in Bulgaria the middle of March last year and travelled to rural areas as we were property hunting we did not have any problems then, the roads were clear other than very high up where the temperature was much cooler. That said there were only small stretches that were in the shade and had thick frozen slush and we managed these well. We mainly go to Bansko and have not had a problem with our car. Then again we tend to hire one that will fit in - nothing flashy.
The road from Sofia to Plovdiv is very good and I as it is a main route I really think this would be cleared fairly quickly. I have not driven from Plovdiv to Chepelare but as it is the road to Pamporovo I would think it would be a priority for clearing for traffic to get to the resort. We were in Bulgaria the middle of March last year and travelled to rural areas as we were property hunting we did not have any problems then, the roads were clear other than very high up where the temperature was much cooler. That said there were only small stretches that were in the shade and had thick frozen slush and we managed these well. We mainly go to Bansko and have not had a problem with our car. Then again we tend to hire one that will fit in - nothing flashy.
re: Driving
Lynne your advice appears to be more speculation than fact.
The fact is that the road from Chepalare to Pamporovo often DOES get blocked and I have known many occassions when busses have struggle to get in and out of the resort.
The road is narrow, and winding, as it snakes it's way up the mountain and often becomes extremely dangerous to drive on even for the locals.
To advise someone that this road is safe to drive on is misleading at best.
It is a VERY dangerous road to drive ...
The fact is that the road from Chepalare to Pamporovo often DOES get blocked and I have known many occassions when busses have struggle to get in and out of the resort.
The road is narrow, and winding, as it snakes it's way up the mountain and often becomes extremely dangerous to drive on even for the locals.
To advise someone that this road is safe to drive on is misleading at best.
It is a VERY dangerous road to drive ...
Lynne your advice appears to be more speculation than fact.
The fact is that the road from Chepalare to Pamporovo often DOES get blocked and I have known many occassions when busses have struggle to get in and out of the resort.
The road is narrow, and winding, as it snakes it's way up the mountain and often becomes extremely dangerous to drive on even for the locals.
To advise someone that this road is safe to drive on is misleading at best.
It is a VERY dangerous road to drive on in the summer.
I n the winter it's leathal.
PP
The fact is that the road from Chepalare to Pamporovo often DOES get blocked and I have known many occassions when busses have struggle to get in and out of the resort.
The road is narrow, and winding, as it snakes it's way up the mountain and often becomes extremely dangerous to drive on even for the locals.
To advise someone that this road is safe to drive on is misleading at best.
It is a VERY dangerous road to drive on in the summer.
I n the winter it's leathal.
PP
re: Driving
PP
Its a shame you didn't mention about the winding road and your facts regarding the road from Cheplare to Pamporovo before then if you have first hand knowledge. I did say I had never been from Plovdiv to Cheplare and said "I think" which is different to "the fact is". I only gave my experience of the road conditions when we have been in March and said it was in the Bansko area but it also goes for the Rhodope mountains as well. Perhaps Dani might think of going to Bansko instead ...
Its a shame you didn't mention about the winding road and your facts regarding the road from Cheplare to Pamporovo before then if you have first hand knowledge. I did say I had never been from Plovdiv to Cheplare and said "I think" which is different to "the fact is". I only gave my experience of the road conditions when we have been in March and said it was in the Bansko area but it also goes for the Rhodope mountains as well. Perhaps Dani might think of going to Bansko instead ...
PP
Its a shame you didn't mention about the winding road and your facts regarding the road from Cheplare to Pamporovo before then if you have first hand knowledge. I did say I had never been from Plovdiv to Cheplare and said "I think" which is different to "the fact is". I only gave my experience of the road conditions when we have been in March and said it was in the Bansko area but it also goes for the Rhodope mountains as well. Perhaps Dani might think of going to Bansko instead sounds much less dangerous
Its a shame you didn't mention about the winding road and your facts regarding the road from Cheplare to Pamporovo before then if you have first hand knowledge. I did say I had never been from Plovdiv to Cheplare and said "I think" which is different to "the fact is". I only gave my experience of the road conditions when we have been in March and said it was in the Bansko area but it also goes for the Rhodope mountains as well. Perhaps Dani might think of going to Bansko instead sounds much less dangerous
re: Driving
Hmmm... I've been to Bansko and the road from the town to the slopes has one of the worst hairpins I have ever seen! (Unless I'm mistaken and thinking of another resort... I've been to Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Vitosha, Malyovitsa, Tsigov Chark and Panichishte. Oh, and Govedarsi but not in winter... I'm 80% sure it was Bansko though!) I can't imagine Pamporovo-Chepelare being worse than Bansko given the nature of the mountains - Rhodopi vs Pirin...
BTW, I only feel brave about this ...
BTW, I only feel brave about this ...
Hmmm... I've been to Bansko and the road from the town to the slopes has one of the worst hairpins I have ever seen! (Unless I'm mistaken and thinking of another resort... I've been to Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Vitosha, Malyovitsa, Tsigov Chark and Panichishte. Oh, and Govedarsi but not in winter... I'm 80% sure it was Bansko though!) I can't imagine Pamporovo-Chepelare being worse than Bansko given the nature of the mountains - Rhodopi vs Pirin...
BTW, I only feel brave about this because I don't drive
I'd better take the driver's opinion
BTW, I only feel brave about this because I don't drive
I'd better take the driver's opinion 