Rail fares in Bulgaria set to rise by average 20%

The Bulgarian Railway company, BDZ, is changing the train fares. The increase in train tickets prices is linked to the company's significant increase in costs over the past few years.

The increase will be 20% on average and takes effect from 7 May 2024.

The prices of the child, student, family, disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility, and adult rail passes, which are BGN1.00, will remain unchanged.

The national rail carrier has not changed its prices since the beginning of 2012, except for a 1.8% indexation in 2020, the state-run railways said.

For the period from 2021 to the end of 2023, the company's costs have increased by 23.2%. This includes increases in core costs for fuel, electricity and employee wages, given that BDZ is one of the largest employers in the country.

According to the National Statistical Institute, the inflation index for the period 2021-2023 is 31.9%. This is the reason why the national railway carrier is updating its prices in line with increased costs.

Train fares will be increased by an average of 20% depending on the type of travel document.

Prices for booking a reserved seat and a sleeper or couchette seat are also being updated.

There will also be an increase in season tickets and ‘Classic’ and ‘Youth’ passes. These entitle the holder to a 50% reduction on the fare for second class travel on passenger and express trains for an unlimited number of journeys for one year from the date of issue of the card.

Children up to the age of 7 will be transported free of charge on presentation of a document certifying the child's age and the compulsory issue of a zero-value ticket. When travelling in a sleeper carriage and using a separate bed, it will no longer be necessary to pay half the ticket price for children under the age of 7.