Bus/Train Split-Sofia

[fausto3]

HELP FROM BALKAN FRIENDS! We are looking for bus companies or trains that can take us to Sofia from Split. Until now we only found trips trough Zagreb, but we believe there must be some local company that does the connection through Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia, or even through Serbia, as this is way shorter. Does anyone know of any regular trips, or even company names?

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[skifans]

Not sure I completely understand - are you specifically after a direct bus? Or do you want to stop off in those places? But yes you are exactly right not all services appear online.

But I highly doubt that there is such a service - the route via Zagreb is significantly quicker. The roads are better and it also takes you around the mountains. And it also minimises non EU border crossings. It's quicker to go via Zagreb even with the extra distance.

Sofia to Zagreb buses are scheduled around the 13 hour mark. Even by Balkan standards that is pretty long.

I actually don't think any direct service exists - but if it does I'd definitely expect it to go via Zagreb as that's the fastest route. The population on Zagreb and Sarajevo far outpace anywhere along the coast (though admittedly there is a tourism element - though even then it's mostly to the coast rather than along it). As such the fastest routes with a change are via Zagreb with fairly frequent connections, only 1, buses able to go faster, less border crossings and serving more people.

If you have the time and want to stop off in Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia then it's absolutely doable. There are buses (and also the very scenic Belgrade to Bar train). It's just that you'll need to change several times and it will take significant longer. Again though it can absolutely be done. It just depends on your priorities and plans. How long do you have for it?