Traveling from Bucharest to Varna, Bulgaria by train is a fairly underrated overland route in Eastern Europe. Instead of following the popular night train routes, I wanted to continue my journey the slow and authentic way — crossing borders, watching the landscape change, and meeting people along the way.
There are several ways to travel from Romania to Bulgaria. Many travelers head southwest to Sofia and then take the night train to Istanbul. But I decided to go southeast instead, toward the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, to see the seaside city of Varna. It turned out to be a day full of unexpected moments, small adventures, and interesting encounters.
3 Quick Thoughts about the Train to Bulgaria
- I booked my train ticket online through the CFR Romanian Railways website. The entire route from Bucharest to Varna cost 148 LEI (around 30 EUR)
- The trains had only one air conditioned carriage. During the booking process I did not notice a way to choose between with or without AC – just be prepared that it can get really hot in summer.
- Say hello to locals – in my experience Bulgarian’s are very friendly and always open for a chat. Translation apps can help to reduce the language barrier
The First Leg: Bucharest to Ruse
The first train I took was actually the one that goes all the way to Istanbul. I boarded it in the morning at Bucharest Nord Station, excited to begin another international leg of my overland journey to Singapore. The ride to Ruse, the first Bulgarian city across the border, took around four hours.
It was 30 degrees outside and I am sure much hotter inside – as there was no aircon in my carriage. But we opened the window and the airflow brought a comfortable breeze into the cabin.
Crossing the Danube Bridge between Romania and Bulgaria felt symbolic — another country, another culture, another language. There was no border check (which definitely saves some time) as both countries are EU member states. Personally, I experienced border checks within the EU only on night trains.
Lunch Stop in Ruse
Once I arrived in Ruse, I had about two hours before my next train to Varna. Instead of waiting at the station, I walked into the city center, which is just a short distance away.
Ruse immediately felt different from Romania — smaller, calmer, and with a touch of Balkan charm. I found a small local restaurant (see the map) and had a simple but delicious Bulgarian lunch: Prices were very affordable and surprisingly the friendly waiter spoke German – so no language barrier for me.
The Unexpected Train Adventure
The second part of the journey — the train from Ruse to Varna — was supposed to be another four-hour ride. It started off with great news: my seat was on an air conditioned car this time. But about an hour into the trip, the train suddenly stopped in the middle of nowhere at a tiny station.
The conductor, who didn’t speak English, came through the carriages and motioned for everyone to get off the train. None of us knew what was going on — there were no announcements, and the station didn’t even seem to have a proper platform. A few minutes later, a bus appeared, and railway staff started guiding passengers onto it.
I assume there was a construction going on, so the next part of the journey would continue by bus. It was one of those classic travel moments where you just have to go with the flow. After about an hour by bus through the Bulgarian countryside, we boarded another train that took us the rest of the way to Varna.
Conversations on the Train
In the new train it was back to the heat without AC – but with great company. I was sharing a compartment with three interesting fellow travelers: a well-traveled man from South Africa, a local Bulgarian student, and a Ukrainian worker on the way to his new work place.
Despite our different backgrounds, we quickly got into a great conversation about travel, languages, and life in Eastern Europe. The Bulgarian student recommended trying Rakia, a strong local fruit brandy that’s considered Bulgaria’s national drink. It was one of those simple, spontaneous travel moments that make long train rides unforgettable.
Arriving in Varna – Bulgaria’s Black Sea Gem
After a full day of train (and bus!) adventures, I finally arrived in Varna, the beautiful seaside city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. I stayed at the Nomado Hostel, a cozy place with such a great atmosphere. Travelers from all around the world gathered in the courtyard to share stories, plan trips, and just hang out — it immediately felt like home.
Exploring Varna and the Beach
The next morning, I went out to explore Varna’s city center. The streets are super clean and lined with historical buildings and plenty of green spaces. As I am always looking for my morning Flat White, I was happy to find Lavé Cafe. With 6.50 LEV (3.30 EUR), the Flat White was slightly cheaper compared to Bucharest and Budapest.
One thing I didn’t know before: Bulgaria is famous for its roses — especially for making rose oil and cosmetics. I stopped by a lovely local shop called Cosmetics Bulgaria, where they sell all kinds of rose-based products like creams, soaps, and essential oils. A great place to buy gifts for your loved ones. But as I am travelling overland for several months to Southeast Asia I couldn’t buy anything to avoid making my bags even heavier.
Of course, I also made my way to Varna Beach, which is wide, clean, and super relaxing. Locals and tourists were swimming, sunbathing, and playing beach volleyball. It’s amazing how peaceful it feels even though it’s right next to the city.
Varna Port
In the evening, I headed to the Varna Port area, one of my favorite spots in town. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and even a small amusement park. It’s the perfect place for an evening stroll by the sea, especially during sunset — the light over the water was just stunning. I had dinner at Staria Chinar – Port Varna, where I finally tried Rakia, the local Bulgarian liquor that the student from the train had recommended. Strong but surprisingly smooth — a perfect way to end the day.
Final Thoughts on Varna, Bulgaria
Varna is such a lovely place. Everything is more relaxed here. People seem to enjoy life – locals and tourist. Food is delicious and affordable, plenty of nice cafés, wonderful beach. What else do you need? It was definitely not my last time in Varna and it made me want to see more of Bulgaria.
Berlin to Singapore Overland
📍 Bucharest to Varna
🚅 Transportation: 2 regional trains
💻 Booked via: CFR Călători
🛣️ Distance travelled since Berlin: 1,660 km