Bulgarian railways offering Christmas trains drawn by steam engines
Bulgarian state railways BDZ has announced a series of festive excursions of trains drawn by steam trains in connection with the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.
The special trains will run on the routes Sofia – Bankya – Sofia and Gorna Oryahovitsa – Veliko Turnovo – Gorna Oryahovitsa.
They will consist of three thematically decorated passenger cars and one retro carriage from the Vitosha Express with Father Christmas and Snow White, who will distribute gifts to all the children.
On December 13, the Christmas train, drawn by steam engine No. 01.23, will depart from Sofia Central Station at 9.50am and arrive in Bankya at 10.21am.
Before the return trip, everyone will have enough time to explore the retro carriage, meet Father Christmas and Snow White and immerse themselves in the Christmas atmosphere in the centre of the resort town. The train from Bankya to Sofia at 12.30pm, arriving in the capital city at 1pm.
On December 14, the special train departs from Sofia at 9.45am and arrive at the Bankya station at 10.16am. The return trip starts at 12.40pm, to arrive at Sofia Central Station at 1.10pm.
On December 20, before noon, the Christmas train with steam locomotive No. 16.27 will travel from Gorna Oryahovitsa to Veliko Turnovo, returning in the afternoon.
In the morning, the retro train departs from Gorna Oryahovitsa at 9.50am, arriving in Veliko Turnovo at 10.20am. The return trip is at 11.20am, arriving in Gorna Oryahovitsa at 11.51am.
The afternoon train departs from Veliko Tarnovo at 2.05pm, arriving in Gorna Oryahovitsa at 2.41pm. From there it departs at 3.40pm, to arrive in Veliko Turnovo at 4pm.
BDZ said that the two trips of the Christmas train between Gorna Oryahovitsa and Veliko Turnovo will provide passengers with an unusual perspective from which they will be able to enjoy the landscapes from the train, passing along the banks of the Yantra River and through two tunnels under the buildings of the city.
In both directions, the train will stop at the Trapezitsa railway station, which can also be a starting point for travel, more convenient for some passengers from Veliko Turnovo. During the stops, those who have purchased a ticket will have the opportunity to explore the retro carriage, where they will be greeted by Father Christmas and Snow White with pleasant surprises prepared for the youngest visitors.
The prices of the round-trip tickets include a reserved seat. On the Sofia – Bankya – Sofia route, prices are worth 46 leva for adults and 23 leva for children up to 10 years old, and on the Gorna Oryahovitsa – Veliko Turnovo and Veliko Turnovo – Gorna Oryahovitsa directions: 40 leva for adults and 20 leva for children.
Tickets for the Christmas trains can be purchased from ticket offices and railway offices at all stations in the country, as well as online at https://bileti.bdz.bg/.
(Photo: © Sergei Draganov)
