BDŽ

Last updated:

Balgarski Darschawni Schelesnizi (BDŽ) is the state railway company of Bulgaria and currently operates almost all passenger services on the Bulgarian rail network.

Summary

  • FIP 50 Tickets and FIP Coupons are accepted
  • Reservation required on selected trains
  • Very limited booking options

Validity of FIP Tickets

FIP Coupon: ✅
FIP Coupon for relatives: ✅
FIP 50 Ticket: ✅

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on BDŽ services. For cross-border journeys, either a continuous FIP 50 Ticket or FIP Coupons for both countries are required.

Train Categories and Reservations

Important Information

Train categories are shown in BDŽ journey planners as described below. In other planners, trains are often simply listed as R or IR.

Cross-country International Train (IC-INT) ⚠️

Description:
International trains running between Bucharest in Romania and Sofia or Varna. These trains run directly only in the summer; otherwise, a change in Ruse is required. In other planners, they may also be shown as IR. A seat reservation is mandatory in both classes.

Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Reservation price: 1 Lev (0.51 €)

Cross-country International Train (IC-INT) ⚠️

Description:
International trains running between Bucharest in Romania and Sofia or Varna. These trains run directly only in the summer; otherwise, a change in Ruse is required. In other planners, they may also be shown as IR. A seat reservation is mandatory in both classes.

Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Reservation price: 1 Lev (0.51 €)

Intercity Fast Train (ICF) ⚠️

Description:
Relatively fast trains connecting major cities with few stops. Some require reservations, indicated by an R in the journey planner. They often use more modern rolling stock, e.g., former DB IC coaches. Overnight trains may include couchette or sleeper cars, which require a reservation.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ sometimes (marked with R)

Intercity Fast Train (ICF) ⚠️

Description:
Relatively fast trains connecting major cities with few stops. Some require reservations, indicated by an R in the journey planner. They often use more modern rolling stock, e.g., former DB IC coaches. Overnight trains may include couchette or sleeper cars, which require a reservation.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ sometimes (marked with R)

Express train (EXP) ⚠️

Description:
National trains connecting cities with few stops. Some require reservations, indicated by an R in the journey planner.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ sometimes (marked with R)

Express train (EXP) ⚠️

Description:
National trains connecting cities with few stops. Some require reservations, indicated by an R in the journey planner.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ sometimes (marked with R)

Regional Train (REG)

Description:
Regional trains in domestic traffic, usually with many stops and not very fast. Only 2nd class coaches are available. Reservations are not required but may be possible.
Reservation possible: sometimes
Reservation required: no

Regional Train (REG)

Description:
Regional trains in domestic traffic, usually with many stops and not very fast. Only 2nd class coaches are available. Reservations are not required but may be possible.
Reservation possible: sometimes
Reservation required: no

Suburban Commuter Train (SUB)

Description:
Regional trains in domestic traffic stopping at most stations, often running more frequently than other trains.
Reservation possible: no
Reservation required: no

Suburban Commuter Train (SUB)

Description:
Regional trains in domestic traffic stopping at most stations, often running more frequently than other trains.
Reservation possible: no
Reservation required: no

Night train

Description:
Trains running overnight that require reservations. Reservation prices for couchette or sleeper cars are higher than for regular reservations.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes

Night train

Description:
Trains running overnight that require reservations. Reservation prices for couchette or sleeper cars are higher than for regular reservations.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes

Ticket and Reservation Purchase

Online

BDŽ Website
For domestic journeys within Bulgaria
Reservation ⛔
FIP 50 Tickets ⛔

Currently, it is not possible to buy FIP 50 tickets or reservations via the BDŽ website. Only regular tickets for domestic travel within Bulgaria can be purchased here, and for reservation-required trains, a reservation is automatically included. If you have a discount card such as a “Railway discount card” or an ISIC student card, you can enter it during booking.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information
BDŽ Website
For domestic journeys within Bulgaria
Reservation ⛔
FIP 50 Tickets ⛔

Currently, it is not possible to buy FIP 50 tickets or reservations via the BDŽ website. Only regular tickets for domestic travel within Bulgaria can be purchased here, and for reservation-required trains, a reservation is automatically included. If you have a discount card such as a “Railway discount card” or an ISIC student card, you can enter it during booking.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information

On Site

BDŽ Ticket Office
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 1 Lev
2nd Class: 1 Lev

FIP 50 Tickets

At BDŽ ticket offices, you can purchase FIP 50 Tickets for travel within Bulgaria, and at international ticket offices also for journeys to Romania.

Reservations

Reservations for trains can be purchased on site for 1 Lev (0.50 €). If you are using an FIP Coupon, you must present it; the coupon number will be printed on the ticket.

Additional Information
BDŽ Ticket Office
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 1 Lev
2nd Class: 1 Lev

FIP 50 Tickets

At BDŽ ticket offices, you can purchase FIP 50 Tickets for travel within Bulgaria, and at international ticket offices also for journeys to Romania.

Reservations

Reservations for trains can be purchased on site for 1 Lev (0.50 €). If you are using an FIP Coupon, you must present it; the coupon number will be printed on the ticket.

Additional Information

On the Train

FIP-discounted tickets can only be purchased on board if departing from a station where the ticket office is closed or does not exist. For reservation-required trains, the reservation must be obtained before travel.

Discounts

For regular tickets, children under 7 years travel free. On domestic routes, children under 10 years, and on international routes, children under 12 years, receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. Older children pay the full adult fare.

Special Tariff Conditions

Surcharge for Extended Journeys

If you wish to travel beyond the booked destination, you must pay a surcharge in addition to the ticket for the extra distance. 1

Journey Interruption

A journey interruption is not permitted with a continuous ticket.

Recommendations

Personal Tip

BDŽ still offers a relatively wide range of services on an aging rail network. It is worth planning your routes in advance, as many lines have only a few trains per day. The most modern coaches are former DB IC cars, used on some long-distance routes between Sofia and Varna or Burgas. A special highlight is the narrow-gauge Rhodope railway between Septemvri and Dobrinishte, also operated by BDŽ.

Sources

  1. Rail Delivery Group ↩︎