Getting to Bansko

There are a variety of local car hire companies that can meet your needs.

We recommend using www.a2bcarhire.com as they have a very easy and reliable booking system.

We have used a Tom Tom that had Eastern European maps and it worked very well for getting to Bansko, as well as getting us around the beautiful countryside during our vacation.

Please see below for full driving directions from Sofia to Vihren residence, Bansko

Vihren Palace/Residence

The apartment is B9 (202) and is situated on the second floor on the residence side of the complex.

Please call the management agent on 00359 749 84119 during office hours, or 00359 885 966480 after hours at least 30 minutes before you arrive into Bansko so that they are aware of your arrival time, you can collect your keys on the way into Bansko as the agent is on the way to the apartment, we will provide full arrival instructions when your booking is confirmed.

Directions when in Bansko

As you come into Bansko continue up the hill towards the Gondola and follow signs for the Kempinski Hotel, you will go past the Ice Rink on your right and approx 150 M up the hill you get to some traffic lights (with an annoying beeping noise) turn right at these traffic lights towards the Bansko Mall, follow the road/track for approx 150M until you get to a bridge over the river, turn right just before the bridge and you should see the Vihren Palace in front of you.

The entrance to the Vihren Residence is at the opposite end to the main hotel reception you will need to collect your key from the managing agent and then collect your keycard from the hotel reception.

The apartment is very easy to find and if you are at the traffic lights and look to your right you should see the building approx 150M away from the main road, it is right on the Glazene River this side.

On the map above the hotel is shown upside down to the natural way you will face up the hill to towards the gondola and Kempinski Hotel

Directions from Sofia Airport

For people driving themselves to Bansko, at present I have only given written directions for the route through Samokov as at present there was a large diversion in place on the other route.

I have also included Landmarks, so that you should know you are definitely on the right road. And also giving Cyrillic names where needed. Please be aware of speed limits as there are always traffic police placed at strategic points on route, if drivers coming towards you flashing their lights, this is generally to let you know there is police ahead.

Via Samokov (CAMOKOB)

On leaving airport continue for about 2km, under flyover turn right (which is 2nd slip road on right). Bear right after large blue glass building (about 200m from junction, this will put you onto the flyover which you have just travelled under). Keep going straight for about 3 kms. (You will see a large exhibition centre on left and a large shopping warehouse on right called METRO).

Take next exit to right after Metro. Continue on this road for about 3kms until you get to a Major road junction with traffic lights. (you will go through a 2nd hand car district, a John Deere outlet on right).

At traffic lights go straight across (OMV garage on right). This road leads straight to Samokov. (About 45 mins driving).

Just before Samokov (CAMOKOB) turn right immediately after road side caf� called �WHITE CITY, formerly Arizona Bistro� (excellent place for a break), follow this road to end (2mins), turn right. Continue on this road for about 40kms to Dupnitsa.

At �T� junction in Dupnitsa turn right and follow road under bridge after which you must bear right, you will then be on the �E79� (main road from Sofia to Kulata). (AT this stage you will see an �OMV� garage behind you and a �HAPPY DAY� caf� on the opposite side of the road. (you go through a road tunnel after 1km) Continue along this road for about 50kms. 6kms after 2nd road tunnel and immediately after passing under 2nd bridge turn right at signpost for Bansko, Razlog.

The road loops round and you must then turn right which takes over the bridge you have just come under. Continue on this road for 42 kms. Turn right to Bansko.

From Overseas

• Distance from Istanbul Turkey to Bansko is 600 km; approximately 7 hours driving time. From Istanbul take O3 northwest, then onto Edirne � Svilengrad � Plovdiv � Pazardzhik � Velingrad � Yakoruda � Bansko.
• Distance from Thessaloniki, Greece to Bansko is 220 km; approximately 2 � hours driving time. From Thessaloniki take E79 northbound, then onto Kulata � Sandanski � Kresna � Simitli � Bansko.
• Distance from Belgrade, Serbia to Bansko is 650 km; approximately 7 � hours driving time. From Belgarde take E75 southeast then onto Pirot �Dragoman � Sofia � Dragichevo � Dupnitsa � Blagoevgrad � Simitli � Bansko.
• Distance from Skopje, FYROM to bansko is 200km; approximately 2 � hours driving time. From Skopje take E75 east then onto Kriva Palanka � Gyueshevo � Kyustendil � Blagoevrad � Simitli � Bansko.
• Distance from Bucharest to Bansko is 600km; approximately 7 hours driving time. From Bucharest take E 70 southbound then onto Ruse � Veliko Tarnovo � Nova Zagora � Stara Zagora, Plovdiv � Pazardzhik � Velingrad �Yakoruda � Bansko.

When travelling from Sophia to Bansko we recommend driving yourself in a hire car, or get a transfer, rather than train. The train journey takes considerably longer, however, if time is not a problem the scenery is fantastic and takes you through the highest train station in the Balkans.

The buses to Bansko are of UK standard and quality. Prices vary, depending on the route you take Sofia Central Bus Terminal to Bansko is the easiest route and the journey takes about 3 hours.