Make sure you have your passport handy before booking online. You'll need to enter your passport number in order to be ticketed.
Book your tickets through the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources below). You can also book by phone at 1-888-382-RAIL. The journey will be inexpensive.
Consider buying a Eurail or Balkan Rail pass, depending on your future travel plans. Information about both of these passes is available on the Rail Europe Web site.
Plan to be on the train for approximately 5.5 hours.
Bring your camera. You'll be traveling from the Bulgarian capital to Varna, the busiest train stop in the country. You'll get the chance to see a wide cross-section of Bulgarian landscape as well as a variety of travelers--students, businesspeople and tourists.
Don't expect Orient Express-level luxury. Many of Bulgaria's trains were put into service during the Communist era. As a result, the trains are somewhat old and can move at a crawl when crowded or going through mountain passes.
Book tickets through an agent who can help you surmount the language barrier. If you don't want to book online and don't speak Bulgarian, an agent is your best bet for putting an itinerary together.
Book tickets at the Sofia Central Station, located at Maria Luisa Blvd. You can dial the Sofia Central Station at 011 (02) 931 11 11 or 011 (02) 932 33 33 for incidental information on train departures.
