Bulgaria Interrail Visa Application Process
Bulgaria Interrail Visa Application Process 2025
Interrail is a rail travel network that allows travel between 3 days and 3 months via train in 33 European countries. The Interrail system, which started in 1972 to provide freedom of travel for young people, has diversified over time with different tariffs covering children, adults and the elderly. Interrail ticket types include the Youth Pass for young people, the One Country Pass for visiting a single country, the Global Pass that allows travel in all European countries and the Flexi Pass that groups several countries.
The countries included in the Interrail program are; United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, France, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey. Citizens of the countries included in the Interrail program are entitled to receive an Interrail pass.
The ticket called Interrail Pass must be purchased at most 3 months before the travel date. Those who want to purchase a Youth Pass ticket must be under the age of 28 on the first day of the travel. There are advantages to Interrail such as individuals under the age of 28 and over the age of 60 being able to purchase their tickets cheaper and children under the age of 11 having the right to travel free of charge.
It has been announced that 60,000 young people will be given the opportunity to explore Europe by train in 2022 as part of the DiscoverEU program. DiscoverEU will be funded under Erasmus+ and paves the way for citizens in non-EU countries such as Turkey to benefit from the travel program.
Those who want to travel to Bulgaria with Interrail must obtain a short-term tourist visa, which is a type C Bulgaria visa. After April 1, 2024, as a result of Bulgaria joining the Schengen countries, it is possible to enter other Schengen countries with a Bulgarian Schengen visa.
Which Countries Can I Visit With a Bulgarian Interrail Visa?
The answer to the question of which countries can be visited with a Bulgarian Interrail visa varies depending on the category of the Interrail ticket purchased. Schengen countries can be visited with a Bulgarian Interrail visa. I.
How to Get an Interrail Bulgaria Visa?
Travelers who want to get an Interrail Bulgaria visa must first buy a train ticket and then apply for a Bulgarian C type Schengen visa. The traveler must personally submit the application to the Bulgarian Consulates through the nearest VFS Global offices according to their province of residence.
What are the Required Documents for Bulgaria Interrail Visa?
The documents required for a Bulgarian Interrail visa vary depending on the person's employment status and the province of application.
The documents required for the Bulgarian Interrail visa are listed below.
- Interrail visa application form : Must be filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
- Biometric photo : A biometric photo not older than 6 months must be submitted.
- Visa fee receipt : The original of the visa fee receipt deposited to Garanti Bank must be submitted.
- Accommodation document : Reservation information from the hotel where you will stay in Bulgaria must be provided.
- Bank account transactions : A statement of bank transactions for the last 3 months must be submitted.
- Pay slip : Pay slips for the last 3 months must be declared.
- A copy of a complete national population record : A population certificate obtained from the population directorates showing all family members of the person must be submitted. If the population certificate does not include residence information, a residence certificate must also be submitted.
- Interrail train ticket : Must be purchased at most 3 months before the planned travel date.
- Passport : Must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip and must have been obtained within the last 10 years.
- Travel health insurance : Insurance valid for 1 year covering the duration of travel must be obtained and the policy must be declared during the visa application.
- Additional documents required for the application according to the type of Bulgarian Interrail visa : Additional documents that must be submitted by those who will apply for a Bulgarian Interrail visa for a multiple entry visa; a motivation letter written in Bulgarian, Turkish or English, a SGK service record, a photocopy of the real estate title deed if any, if the applicant is employed; a letter of employment on a letterhead from the workplace stating the job description of the employee, salary, work experience and the full address of the workplace, if retired; a retirement certificate, if employer; a tax certificate registered on the person, Chamber of Commerce registration and signature circular, if student; a student certificate and documents proving that the expenses will be covered by the parents, if under the age of 18; the signature of the parents on the application form and a notarized consent letter.
Where to Buy Bulgarian Interrail Pass Ticket?
Bulgarian Interrail Pass tickets can be purchased from all ticket offices and stations where the Turkish State Railways sells international tickets. Some accredited tourism agencies such as Gençtur, Viking Turizm, Cosmopolitan in Istanbul; Uygar Tours, Ray Tur in Ankara; Ayanis Turizm in Van also sell Interrail Pass tickets.
You can buy Bulgarian Interrail tickets through the official website of Interrail. Tickets purchased through the website are sent to the specified address by cargo within 1 week.
How much does a Bulgarian Interrail Pass cost?
Bulgarian Interrail pass fee is given in the table below.
| Age | First class | Second Class |
|---|---|---|
| Young (12-27) | 3 days in 1 month, 62 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 79 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 95 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 111 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 141 Euros | 3 days in 1 month, 51 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 64 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 77 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 90 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 114 Euros |
| Adult (28+) | 3 days in 1 month, 78 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 99 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 119 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 139 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 176 Euros | 3 days in 1 month, 59 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 74 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 89 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 104 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 132 Euros |
| Elderly (60+) | 3 days in 1 month, 70 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 89 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 107 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 125 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 158 Euros | 3 days in 1 month, 53 Euros 4 days in 1 month, 67 Euros 5 days in 1 month, 80 Euros 6 days in 1 month, 94 Euros 8 days in 1 month, 119 Euros |
Where to Apply for Interrail Bulgaria Visa?
Bulgarian Interrail visa applications are made by applying in person to the iDATA Istanbul office or VFS Global's Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Gaziantep offices, depending on the traveler's province of residence.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Bulgarian Interrail Visa?
Bulgarian Interrail visa is finalized within an average of 15 days after the collection of the necessary documents and the consulate interview. The documents required for the visa vary according to the conditions of the applicant and Interrail visa prices can be learned from the relevant visa consultancy offices.
Is a Bulgarian Visa Required for Balkan Flexipass?
Yes, in order to use flexipass from Balkan countries, you must have a valid Bulgarian or Schengen visa.
What are the Most Popular Bulgarian Interrail Train Routes?
The most popular Bulgarian Interrail train routes are listed below.
- From Plovdiv to Burgas (5 hours),
- From Sofia to Burgas (8 hours),
- From Sofia to Plovdiv (3.5 hours),
- Sofia to Varna (7.5 hours).