65Km of piste on your doorstep....
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Flights: There are a number of options for flights from the UK to Sofia International Airport (SOF) in Bulgaria. The really good news is EasyJet recently announced that from 6th Nov '07, they will be flying direct to Sofia from London Gatwick from at little as 27.99 GBP one-way including taxes! British Airways have daily flights out of London Gatwick at sensible times of day, whilst Sky Scanner is a useful site for comparing various other low-cost options. Assuming you are flying into Sofia Airport, there are a few options available to take you the 160Km from Sofia to Bansko and back again during your visit to Bulgaria.
Car Hire: There are many car hire companies on-site at the arrival hall in Sofia Airport. The charges do vary greatly depending on who you choose and if you pre-book, but if you shop around before you travel you can expect to pay approximately £130 to hire a 4-door saloon car for seven days. Add to this the petrol costs of approximately £30 for the return trip. The journey will take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the weather and traffic conditions. However, be warned that navigating your way out of Sofia onto the E79 towards Bansko can be a tricky experience as road-signs directing traffic out of the city are very limited and the main ring road is usually very busy. Once you get out of the city limits and onto the E79 the road swiftly improves, taking much of the struggle out of the trip.
Direct Taxi Transfer: There are some companies that provide either one-way or return taxi transfer between Sofia Airport and Cedar Lodge in Bansko. Krasimir Brankov offers pre-booked return transfers from Sofia Airport for up to 4 people for 150Euros with space for up to 4 ski-carriers on the roof. However, if you have lots of luggage, for more comfort you may wish to book the larger people carrier (5-6 people) at 190Euro for a return trip.
Bus: There is a bus link between Sofia and Bansko with regular services running every day in both directions. The Central Bus Station in Sofia is located at 100 Kniaginia Maria Luiza Blvd. A taxi from Sofia Airport to the CBS will cost approximately £3-5. The one-way cost of a ticket is approximately £5, but there could be additional small charges for ski-luggage. The journey to Bansko will take about 3.5 hours. On arrival in Bansko, You will most likely want to take a taxi from the Bansko Bus Station (in the north of the town) to Cedar Lodge which will cost approximately £3.