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Bucharest-Sofia Tickets

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LNW-GW Joint

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Has anybody got experience of buying tickets for the day train between Bucharest and Sofia, via Giurgiu-Ruse?
It's train 461 in the timetables, Bucharest 1245-Sofia 2225.
It's part of a trip I have booked for June (well, flights and hotels to match).
I'm intending to travel from Budapest to Sofia via Sibiu, Brasov and Bucharest, though of course you can't book any tickets online yet.
I can see how to book tickets online with MAV and CFR as far as Bucharest, but the Bucharest-Sofia leg apparently has to be booked from CFR in person in Bucharest.
I know the fare is €27 from the CFR web site.

I could book a domestic ticket Bucharest-Giurgiu on the same train, but that doesn't help with the rest of the leg across the border and in Bulgaria.
BDZ are beginning to allow online domestic ticketing in Bulgaria, but not on this train.
Seat61 suggests booking in advance through a Bucharest agent, but I think it has stopped operating (Wasteels).
Although it is shown as a through train, I think it might only be a single 2nd class coach for Sofia in a longer train which splits en route.
I'd appreciate any insight into how to buy a ticket for this train in Romania.
I get a few hours in Sibiu and Brasov as well as Bucharest.
Does anybody know if I could buy this ticket before reaching Bucharest?
I don't fancy booking on the day only to find it is full!
Thanks in advance.
 
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87015

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There isn't a through train anymore. There will allegedly be one in the high summer season but I wouldn't have that down as guaranteed. Its a CFR Desiro to Ruse, change for a BDZ semi-fast forward to Sofia.

Wouldn't know about tickets but I'd be amazed if its full and its not compulsory reservation anyway unless thats changed with the new TT as well.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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There isn't a through train anymore. There will allegedly be one in the high summer season but I wouldn't have that down as guaranteed. Its a CFR Desiro to Ruse, change for a BDZ semi-fast forward to Sofia.

Wouldn't know about tickets but I'd be amazed if its full and its not compulsory reservation anyway unless thats changed with the new TT as well.

It's supposed to run June-Sept as a through train.
I've come by the CFR working timetable (I forget how!) and it changes from Desiro to loco on June 2.
 

laird

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There is an International Ticket desk in the Brasov and Bucharest Gara Nord stations.
I've personally bought at the Brasov desk a return ticket from Iasi to Chisinau.

The Wasteels office was OK but I think the service at the CFR International ticket desk seemed better.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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There are timetables on the Bulgarian railway site which include lists of coaches on the various portions:
In the footnotes се движи means runs; не means not.

Yes, thanks. I'm hoping my pidgin Russian will help in BG!
At least I can decode the Cyrillic.
 

TCDD

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I'd say it is easier (and cheap too) to buy tickets on the day, re-booking at Ruse (there is plenty of time there to do this). Even when it is a through train, extra coaches are attached at Ruse and it is worth checking out these alternative seating options, such as compartment/open stock.
 
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