How to Book Train Travel From Sofia to Belgrade

Belgrade, also known as Beograd, the capital and largest city of Serbia, is accessible by train from Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. Serbia borders Bulgaria's northwest side. When you book train travel from Sofia to Belgrade, expect at least a 5 hour train ride with several stops along the way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Foreign cash and/or a credit card
• Passport and IDs
• Computer with Internet access

Book Tickets Online

1. Choose a date and time you would like to visit Belgrade by train. For train schedules and timetables, go to the Serbian or Bulgarian Railway Web sites (see Resources below), where you'll find a map of the train routes, as well as a searchable timetable.
2. Buy your tickets from the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources below). You can also book by phone at 1-888-382-RAIL. The journey will be inexpensive to moderately priced.
3. Decide if you'll be staying in Belgrade or traveling into another city. You might be able to save some money by purchasing a multi-leg ticket or a European Rail Pass. The Rail Europe Web site offers information on the different kinds of passes European rail has to offer.
4. Be sure you have your passport with you when you book tickets online. Most online booking services will need your passport number in order to issue you a ticket.

Book Tickets in Person or Use a Travel Agent

5. You can book train tickets in person with cash or by credit card at the Sofia Central Station located on Maria Luisa Blvd.
6. Get ticketing information by phone from the Bulgarian State Railway at 011 (02) 931 11 11 or 011 (02) 932 33 33. When calling outside the U.S., first dial 00 instead of 011. The country code appears in parentheses.
7. Work with a local travel agent who can help you book the components your trip and compile everything into one easy itinerary. Agents can be particularly helpful when there is a language barrier. Look for an agent who specializes in Eastern European travel.

Tips & Warnings

• Book online to get accurate scheduling info up to 2 months before your travel date.
• Remember that Belgrade is also known as Beograd when you are searching for information about the city. Sofia can sometimes be spelled with a "y" but it is most commonly spelled "Sofia."