Hi Slinnie,
I would not recommend this for a first timer in Bulgaria, which I believe you are. I would recommend you carefully read Foreign Office advice for Bulgaria HERE
There are just too many potential pitfalls in my opinion, first and foremost to quote a very good Bulgarian friend of mine, "Bulgarians drive like **** lunatics".
Up to you, I just know too much about the place to think it a good idea.
Peter
To reiterate what Peter has just said, Headlines from todays newspaper in Bulgaria. "In past 24 hours 28 accidents leaving 7 dead and 42 injured. Tonyt
To confirm what Peter and Tonyt have said, a friend, who has driven in places like Egypt and Italy, stated "I have never, ever, come across drivers like these". It is bad enough in a taxi, although, once we found a 'safe' driver we always tried to get him each time. You definitely need to build up to driving in Bulgaria, I am not saying it can never be done, my friend now drives quite a lot there, but you need to be very, very aware, many drivers are unpredictable. I drive in London on a fairly regular basis but even though it is manic here I was not a happy bunny the one and only time I attempted it, and that was in a fairly rural area, Varna is another matter! 
Thanks for the support Tony & Nels.
I would add dodgy car rental firms, poor maintenance standards even with the big rental names, making sure you are fully covered by insurance, documents in Cyrillic saying heaven knows what, and the ever present possibility of having your car stolen - car theft by hi-jacking can and does happen.
Poor roads off the beaten track and signs in Cyrillic merely add to the adventure. When you hire a Bulgarian taxi driver you get his expertise on Bulgarian roads, and we've made some good friends - they look after you, you are their guest. It's an Eastern European thing we've also experienced in Moscow and Belgrade .
Peter
I would add dodgy car rental firms, poor maintenance standards even with the big rental names, making sure you are fully covered by insurance, documents in Cyrillic saying heaven knows what, and the ever present possibility of having your car stolen - car theft by hi-jacking can and does happen.
Poor roads off the beaten track and signs in Cyrillic merely add to the adventure. When you hire a Bulgarian taxi driver you get his expertise on Bulgarian roads, and we've made some good friends - they look after you, you are their guest. It's an Eastern European thing we've also experienced in Moscow and Belgrade .
Peter
Blimey - thank goodness I posted my enquiry. Well that's that idea out of the window. I definitely will not be driving in Bulgaria. Thanks to everyone that responded. It is VERY much appreciated.
Thanks again
Slinnie.
Thanks again
Slinnie.
Yep,
Just to re-inforce what everybody else has written we were in a villa situated on the main road from Varna to St Konstantine last year and I have never seen anything like the driving. There were two accidents over the two weeks we were there both quite serious with multiple ambulances in attendance. Some of the taxi rides we had were quite outrageous, real white knuckle rides. Buses were fine, but they tend to take a while to build up a head of steam.
The bro in law has just bought two apartments in Ravda so we will be frequenting more often and at some point I guess we will commit to driving. But, its gonna take some b*lls to do it and I don't think we would consider driving something that was 1. big and brutish enough to cope and 2. has a high safety rating. It just ain't worth it.
Just to re-inforce what everybody else has written we were in a villa situated on the main road from Varna to St Konstantine last year and I have never seen anything like the driving. There were two accidents over the two weeks we were there both quite serious with multiple ambulances in attendance. Some of the taxi rides we had were quite outrageous, real white knuckle rides. Buses were fine, but they tend to take a while to build up a head of steam.
The bro in law has just bought two apartments in Ravda so we will be frequenting more often and at some point I guess we will commit to driving. But, its gonna take some b*lls to do it and I don't think we would consider driving something that was 1. big and brutish enough to cope and 2. has a high safety rating. It just ain't worth it.
We hired a car from Golden Sands and drove to Ravda (2+ hours) last May (return), we had no problem with driving. We hired a car through Avis; had to avoid pot holes, but no problem other than that. We also hired a car this year and went from Ravda to Bourgas and plan again to hire a car when we go this Saturday. We have 2 children under 10, so definately wouldn't hire a car if we thought it too dangerous!. I have driven in the centre of Athens and Cairo, now in my opinion that's a different story! Yvette
A lot of people with considerable experience of Bulgaria would advise against driving there, because we heed the advice of Bulgarian friends and have seen the bodies laid out in the road with our own eyes.
The situation is getting worse, have never seen as many accidents and near misses as I did last year, and there are hundreds of uninsured and unlicensed drivers in fast cars. Bulgaria is no longer Trabant, Lada and Moskvitch land.
Peter
The situation is getting worse, have never seen as many accidents and near misses as I did last year, and there are hundreds of uninsured and unlicensed drivers in fast cars. Bulgaria is no longer Trabant, Lada and Moskvitch land.
Peter
Now, worried about our return journey from Varna to Ravda. We have a transfer company taking us to our apartment. But we still plan to hire a car to go to the Metro place in Bourgas so we can buy additional items for our apartment. Know what Peter means, plenty of high powered BMW's, Mercedes etc... not sure what to do know, especially with 2 young children! Yvette
People are free to take whatever risks they wish, it's their prerogative, but if they ask on this forum I will point out the dangers and advise accordingly. Then they can make up their own minds and the best of luck to them.
Peter
Peter
Hi all
although in general I agree with a lot of what is being said I also disagree with some of it the driving in Bulgaria is scary but not terrifing, we hire every year and have never had any probs, peter has said in the past I am a proffesional driver, the Bulgarian drivers take risks that I would not but if you are a confident driver and watch what is going on around you then it can be a brilliant way to see more of what is a beautiful country.
although in general I agree with a lot of what is being said I also disagree with some of it the driving in Bulgaria is scary but not terrifing, we hire every year and have never had any probs, peter has said in the past I am a proffesional driver, the Bulgarian drivers take risks that I would not but if you are a confident driver and watch what is going on around you then it can be a brilliant way to see more of what is a beautiful country.
I'm off to sunny beach 19th sept for 1 week.Can anyone recommend a good place to hire a car. How much does it cost and how much is petrol ? THANKS.
Thanks for your reply Baldur. I Didn't realise it would be so expensive. Think i will use public transport.
1.91 Lev is still only around 70p a litre so that's still quite a bit cheaper than here.
Hi all,
We intend to rent a Lada from Rentomobile.com during our holiday in October.
Has anyone used this company before and can anyone give us some tips on driving over there?
Many thanks, Dave.
We intend to rent a Lada from Rentomobile.com during our holiday in October.
Has anyone used this company before and can anyone give us some tips on driving over there?
Many thanks, Dave.
Hi Drobbo,
Main thing to watch in Bulgaria while driving is they have a bad habit of driving on what ever side of the road has the besat surface, and moving back to their owen side if something is coming towards them,also they tend to overtake at times you probably would not . Having said that if you are a confident driver you should have no problems as long as you keep your wits about you, Bulgarian drivers are very good at letting you know about police speed traps by flashing their light (like bus and lorries do here). I have'nt used the company you mention but most of the smaller companies seem to work together. anything else just ask will try to help
Main thing to watch in Bulgaria while driving is they have a bad habit of driving on what ever side of the road has the besat surface, and moving back to their owen side if something is coming towards them,also they tend to overtake at times you probably would not . Having said that if you are a confident driver you should have no problems as long as you keep your wits about you, Bulgarian drivers are very good at letting you know about police speed traps by flashing their light (like bus and lorries do here). I have'nt used the company you mention but most of the smaller companies seem to work together. anything else just ask will try to help
Thanks Mondeo,
I have found some do's and don'ts myself on the subject of driving in BG....
Don't drink and drive AT ALL !
Don't speed AT ALL, you will face on the spot fines.
Do carry proof of i.d. (passport or copy of)
Do carry all vehicle documents
Drivers flashing there lights may mean "get out of the way"
If driving at night, watch out for unmarked hourse and carts !
When buying petrol, it's usual to give a tip.
Hope this helps other readers,
Drobbo
I have found some do's and don'ts myself on the subject of driving in BG....
Don't drink and drive AT ALL !
Don't speed AT ALL, you will face on the spot fines.
Do carry proof of i.d. (passport or copy of)
Do carry all vehicle documents
Drivers flashing there lights may mean "get out of the way"
If driving at night, watch out for unmarked hourse and carts !
When buying petrol, it's usual to give a tip.
Hope this helps other readers,
Drobbo
let's face it: its an adventure 
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