GETTING TO BANSKO
The main airport for Bansko is Sofia Airport.
There are daily buses going to Bansko from the Central Bus Station in Sofia. Buses heading to Bansko operate several times a day and the bus ride takes about 3 hours.
The address of Grand Hotel Bansko is 5 Glazne Str., Bansko.
ORGANIZED TRANSFERS
The conference secretariat will organize transfers on a shuttle basis from Sofia Airport to the conference hotels and back.
Please kindly keep in mind that due to the distance, pre-booked transfers may incur a waiting time at the airport. Places in shuttles will be limited to the number of requested transfers. On spot requests might, unfortunately, not be served.
In case you would like an individual transfer without any waiting time at the airport, please kindly request this service at mira@cmebg.com.
Schedule of transfers:
Sofia Airport – Grand Hotel Bankso / Olymp Hotel
24 and 25 May – upon request
26 May at 10:30, 14:00, 19:00, 22:30
27 May at 10:30
A CME representative will wait at the Arrivals Area of Sofia Airport 30 minutes in advance to meet you and guide you to the transport vehicle.
In case your arrival time does not match any of the offered shuttles, kindly get in touch with Mrs. Mira Bonova @ mira@cmebg.com for further arrangements.
Grand Hotel Bankso / Olymp Hotel – Sofia Airport
30 May at 09:00, 11:30, 14:30
31 May at 09:00
Cost per person in one direction is 38 Euro. Bookings can be done either online through your accounts or as a request to mira@cmebg.com providing arrival time in Sofia and flight number not later than 15 May. Payment should be made at the time of the booking or optionally on-site at the Conference Registration Desk in Grand Hotel Bansko.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Bulgaria has the European Union’s Common Visa Policy as a member country accepting European citizens freely. All non-EU citizens are required to have a passport to enter the EU with the appropriate visas.
You can find out more about visas at https://www.mfa.bg/en/services-travel/consular-services/travel-bulgaria/visa-bulgaria.
If you need an invitation letter, please send an email to mira@cmebg.com.
MONETARY SYSTEM
The national currency is the Bulgarian Lev. Bank notes of the following denominations are in circulation: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Levs. 1 Euro = 1,95583 BGN. There are foreign exchange offices and ATMs around the city. It’s always prudent to carry a little cash, however, in case you can’t find an ATM or bank office nearby. You can always change cash at the hotel, though the commission will be higher. Make sure you have enough of the national currency when you plan to visit local markets and shops.
TIPPING
When a gratuity is not included in your bill, which is usually the case, 10% is customary. If service is outstanding, you could go as high as 15%. With taxi drivers, you usually just round up the sum if you have been happy with the ride or for the sake of convenience.
CLIMATE
The climate in Bulgaria is moderate continental with beautiful blooming spring, dry and hot summer, long and pleasant autumn, and mild winter with lots of opportunity for skiing.
The weather in late May is warm, even hot in some days with daily temperatures of around 20-25 ºC, which is very pleasant both for work and leisure.
You may check current weather in Bansko HERE.
TIME
Summer time: GMT + 3 hrs. (April through October)
ELECTRICITY
220 Volts, 50 Hz
Bulgaria uses CEE 7/4 (German “Schuko”) power plugs and sockets
