Archive for Sofia tips
How to Cross the Streets in Sofia
We never ask ourselves how to cross the streets in Sofia We just do it!
During my visits in Western Europe countries I always was surprised the way drivers treat pedestrians. Pedestrians always have priority.
Here in Bulgaria and especially in Sofia, priority has the stronger, and in the most cases this is the man in the car :). But sometimes there are some very brave pedestrians and they have the priority.
What I mean! If there is traffic light – priority has the green light and my recommendation is to cross the streets in Sofia on places with traffic lights or subways.
But you are in Sofia center, there is huge traffic and you can cross the street everywhere in the traffic, only make sure that all cars are stopped at the moment when you step over the road.
»» How to Cross the Streets in Sofia
Toilets in Sofia – Public or…
I don’t like this topic and this is the reason I write a page about the toilets in Sofia. Okay, there is not much to say, just want to warn you not to use the public toilets. They are bad managed and not in good condition.
The alternative is to use toilets in the cafes, restaurants and hotels. Even the local residents skip the public toilets. The good news is that there are many, many restaurants and you can ask for toilet.
Most of the toilets in Sofia are paid, something about 0,50 BGN (0,25 euros). The reason toilets are paid is that the restaurant owner doesn’t pay to somebody to take care for toilets, and the toilet fee is a salary for the cleaner-man. Don’t expect to be given receipt, it is absolutely impossible :).
»» Toilets in Sofia – Public or…
Internet in Sofia – Where to Find It?
If you are addicted to World Wide Web like me, one of the first things to find out is how to hunt for Internet in Sofia. I swear that to find Internet in Sofia is many times easier and cheaper than in New York or London. Internet cafes are very popular, and you can use computer and internet for only 1-2 BGN (0.5-1 Euro) per hour. There is Internet service in the Computer Games Clubs, these are places where teenagers play network games, but you can check there your e-mail.
It is common to combine computer games and Internet service in one place, this way the owner has two independent income streams.
Reputable hotels have Internet services, but it is good to call to hotel Reception in advance and to check how you can use Internet. For example in Kampisnki Hotel, there is wireless Internet and you can use it everywhere in the building and in a close distance to the hotel. I tried it in the lobby – it is good and free – yes, they didn’t charge me or asked me for a password.
»» Internet in Sofia – Where to Find It?
How to Distinguish Real from Scam Sofia Taxi Cabs
I highly recommend using taxi cabs in Sofia. Why? Because Sofia taxi rates are low and taxi is much more comfortable than the public transport (which I hate). Your taxi bill for one-way trip for the longest distance in Sofia should not exceed 10 BGN (5 euros, $7). Usually to ride a taxi to a restaurant in city center will cost 3-5 BGN (2.5 euros, $3). But if you catch the wrong Sofia taxi, it could cost 25 euros. (You can calculate how much anything costs in euro by dividing the price in BGN on 2).
Normal rates for Sofia taxi cabs:
- 0.50 BGN (0.25 euros) – initial fare
- 0.50 BGN per kilometer during the day and 0.60 BGN during the night (after 10 p.m.)
- 0.15 BGN per minute idle time – traffic or stopped
My definition for a scam taxi cab is that this is a cab with rates 2 or more times higher then these written above.
»» How to Distinguish Real from Scam Sofia Taxi Cabs
