Budget Private Tour From Bucharest

Overview

This private day trip picks you up at your hotel or Airbnb in Bucharest and drives you across the border into Bulgaria for a loop through Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding sights. An English-speaking driver-guide stays with your group the whole way, in an air-conditioned vehicle with onboard WiFi.

The route takes in several stops. First comes St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery, for an hour. Then it is on to Arbanasi and Konstantsalieva House, for another hour. After that the tour reaches Veliko Tarnovo itself, with two free hours in the old town, before finishing with an hour at Tsarevets Fortress.

The full day runs 10 to 12 hours, and at least one traveller reported it stretching longer, so it suits people who want a big one-shot introduction to Bulgaria from Romania rather than a short outing. Entrance fees at three of the stops are not included in the tour price, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Reviewers praised the guides for their knowledge and warmth, and one described a guide who adapted the day to the group's wishes.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup, BucharestPickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Bucharest in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with WiFi on board.
2. Basarbovo MonasteryOne hour at St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery. Admission is not included and costs €2.00 per person, paid in cash.
3. Konstantsalieva House, ArbanasiOne hour at Konstantsalieva House. Admission is not included and costs €7.00 per person.
4. Veliko Tarnovo old townTwo hours in Veliko Tarnovo with free admission. Free time to explore the town.
5. Tsarevets FortressOne hour at Tsarevets. Admission is not included and costs €7.00 per person.
6. Return to BucharestDrop-off back at your accommodation in Bucharest. Total tour duration is 10 to 12 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points before booking, drawn from the listing and from what travellers have said after taking this exact tour.

• Long day out. The listed duration is 10 to 12 hours, and one reviewer described it as a big 13-hour day. That leaves little room for anything else on the same day.
• Cash for entrances. Entrance fees at Basarbovo Monastery, Konstantsalieva House and Tsarevets Fortress are not included, at €2.00 and €7.00 per person respectively. The monastery fee is specifically noted as cash, so bring some.
• Private format. Only your group participates, with an English-speaking driver-guide throughout.
• Guide quality. Travellers praised their guides as knowledgeable, warm and happy to answer questions at length. One reviewer also mentioned interesting information about both Bulgaria and Romania.
• Walking required. The day involves around an hour at each of the monastery, the house museum and the fortress, plus two free hours in town. The listing notes that most travellers can participate.
• Comforts on board. The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi, useful across a day that spends several hours on the road between stops.

Common issues. This is a genuinely long day, with one reviewer clocking it at 13 hours against a listed 10 to 12, so it can tire out travellers who prefer shorter outings. Entrance fees at three of the four stops are extra, which adds to the upfront cost. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, according to the listing.

Common Questions