Bulgarian 60-by-60
Module 7 – Travel and Transport
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Module 7 – Travel and Transport
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Getting around is key to exploring any country. This module gives you the essential language for using public transport, asking for directions, booking accommodation, and planning your trip around Bulgaria.
Whether you're in a city or travelling between them, you'll use public transport. The key is knowing the words for your mode of transport and how to ask for a ticket.
This table covers the essential nouns for getting around.
| English | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| bus / tram / train | автобус / трамвай / влак |
| stop / station | спирка / гара |
| bus station | автогара |
| platform | перон |
| ticket / ticket office | билет / каса |
| one-way / return | еднопосочен / двупосочен |
| departure / arrival | заминаване / пристигане |
At the ticket counter (на касата), be direct and polite.
БДЖ is the national railway. Trains are a scenic but often slower way to travel between major cities. Intercity buses are typically faster and more frequent. In Sofia, the metro, trams, and buses are efficient, but you often need to buy a ticket from a machine at the stop before you board.
See how to navigate the system by watching a real travel video.
Buying a ticket can feel stressful, but you only need a few key phrases.
The basic request: "[Number] + [ticket type] + for [destination], please."
Един двупосочен билет за Бургас, моля. (One return ticket for Burgas, please.)
Your trio of questions: After you get your ticket, you need to know three things.
The idea: State what you want clearly, then ask your three questions. Note the platform number and time.
Whether you're on foot or in a car, knowing how to ask for and understand directions matters. Listen for simple words like "left," "right," and "straight."
| English | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| straight on | направо |
| left / to the left | ляво / наляво |
| right / to the right | дясно / надясно |
| in front of / behind | пред / зад |
| next to / opposite | до / срещу |
| near / far from | близо до / далече от |
Do not worry about long directions. Listen for the key words.
Your two essential questions:
1. Извинете, къде е [place]? (Excuse me, where is [the place]?)
2. Наблизо ли е? (Is it nearby?)
Listen for the big three:
The idea: Start with Извинете. Ask a simple question and then repeat the key words back to confirm.
From checking in to reporting a problem, a few polite phrases will make your hotel stay smoother.
| English | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| I have a reservation for... | Имам резервация на името на... |
| single room / double room | единична стая / двойна стая |
| the key / the lift / breakfast | ключът / асансьорът / закуската |
| Could I have an extra towel? | Може ли още една кърпа? |
| What time is checkout? | В колко часа е освобождаването? |
Always start with Извинете (Excuse me). State the problem simply.
Hotel interactions are predictable. Memorise a few lines and you will be set.
The check-in line: "Hello. I have a reservation for [Your Name]." → Здравейте. Имам резервация на името на [Your Name].
The request line: "Excuse me, may I have [the item]?" → Извинете, може ли [item]?
Example: Може ли паролата за Wi‑Fi? (May I have the Wi‑Fi password?)
The problem line: "Excuse me, [the thing] is not working." → Извинете, [thing] не работи.
Example: Извинете, телевизорът не работи. (Excuse me, the TV is not working.)
The idea: Start politely, state your name for check‑in, or state the problem simply.
Calling to book a table or an appointment can feel difficult, but it follows a clear, simple script. Prepare your key information before you call.
| Step | Bulgarian Phrase |
|---|---|
| 1. Greet and state purpose | Добър ден, обаждам се да резервирам... (Good day, I am calling to reserve...) |
| 2. Specify the booking | ...маса за двама за седем часа. (...a table for two for seven o'clock.) |
| 3. Give your name | Резервацията е на името на... (The reservation is in the name of...) |
| 4. Ask for confirmation | Може ли да потвърдите? (Can you confirm?) |
| 5. Close politely | Благодаря, довиждане. (Thank you, goodbye.) |
If you do not understand, it is fine to say: Може ли да повторите, моля? (Could you repeat, please?)
A phone call is a checklist. Write the information before you dial.
Your four points:
The opening line: Добър ден, искам да резервирам... (Good day, I want to reserve...). Then go through your list.
If lost: Say Може ли да повторите? (Can you repeat?).
Now combine everything you have learned to outline a short trip around Bulgaria. Use sequencing words, transport vocabulary, and the future tense.
Use these words to make your itinerary clear and logical.
| Meaning | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| first, then, after that | първо, после, след това |
| in the morning / evening | сутринта / вечерта |
| for two days / for a week | за два дни / за една седмица |
| finally | накрая |
Първо, ще пътуваме с влак до Пловдив. Ще останем там за два дни. Ще разгледаме Стария град.
След това, ще вземем автобус до Банско. Накрая, ще се върнем в София.
(First, we will travel by train to Plovdiv. We will stay there for two days. We will see the Old Town. After that, we will take a bus to Bansko. Finally, we will return to Sofia.)
Plan a simple three‑day trip in Bulgaria. Choose your destinations (for example, the sea морето, or the mountains планината). Write four to five sentences describing your plan. Include:
Planning a trip is telling a short story about the future.
Use signpost words:
Use the future: Almost every verb will start with ще.
Ще отидем... (We will go...) · Ще видим... (We will see...)
The idea: Use "First, then, finally" as your frame. Put ще in front of the verb. That is enough to explain your plan clearly.