Taking the Train from Bansko to Septemvri – Riding Bulgaria’s Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway

Taking the train from Bansko to Septemvri isn’t just about getting from one place to another.  This is a piece of living history, and it’s about experiencing a much slower side of Bulgaria than if you stuck to buses and highways.   The Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway is a little piece of living history. It’s Bulgaria’s last remaining narrow-gauge line, winding its way through the mountains at a leisurely pace, rattling past pine forests, river valleys, and sleepy little stations where life seems to tick along much as it has for decades.  Here’s my guide on taking the train from Bansko to Septembri on the narrow gauge railway.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

The last remaining Bulgarian narrow gauge railway runs between Dobrinishte and Septemvri Bulgaria and covers a total of 125 kilometers or 77 miles.    Those 125 kilometers are taken at an average speed of just 25 km (or 15 miles per hour) and the entire route from Dobrinishte to Septemvri takes around 5.5 hours.  Many take the train from Bansko to Velingrad to enjoy the spa town, but others, like us, use it as a mode of transport to head from Bansko to Plovdiv and will continue to the end of the line, to catch a fast train from Septemvri to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city.

We’ve taken this train multiple times, from various stops along the route. Most recently from Yakoruda to Velingrad and back to Yakoruda in July 2025, then from Bansko to Septemvri at the start of our trip to Plovidv, onto Istanbul and then to Central Asia. Its a slow rattly ride, but its fabulous.

For most Bansko is best known as a ski resort, and Septemvri is just a junction on the mainline. But this narrow gauge train in between shows you a glimpse of Bulgaria that’s far more authentic.

Why Take the Rhodope Narrow Gauge AKA the Septemvri Dobrinishte railway

The narrow gauge doesn’t just connect Bansko and Septemvri – it connect Bansko into Bulgaria’s wider rail system, because sadly, Bansko is NOT connected to the mainline train system. From Septemvri, you can jump straight onto the mainline to Plovdiv or Sofia, making this route far more than a novelty ride. In fact, if you’re planning a loop of Bulgaria that takes in the capital, the Rhodope mountains, and the country’s second city, this train is the missing link.  It also connects you to the Sofia to Istanbul “Express” train.  It’s not quite the Orient Express, but it is an overnight train between these two capital cities.

The Rhodope narrow gauge (or Septemvri Dobrinishte railway) route crosses the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope mountains and is served by four trains a day in both directions, costing a bargain few leva per person, depending on which stations you get on and off at.  The train runs every day of the year, with steam trains brought out on special occasions.    The track is a 760 mm narrow gauge

The route begins in Dobrinishte – a small village a few miles from the Bansko train station, where most foreign passengers and domestic tourists will join it.  Make no mistake this isn’t just a tourist train, you will also be sharing your carriage (there are usually 3 or 4 carriages) with locals heading to market or back. In recent years its become a lot busier, but even during August 2025 we were able to get a seat.

Of course, this is not the fastest way to get anywhere. Buses between Bansko and Plovdiv will take about three hours, compared to the five hours of the train. But the train wins if you want the journey to be an experience in itself. The route carved into the mountains nearly a century ago, on tracks that are barely wider than your shoulders. It’s not even about the views.  You’ll travel through narrow canyons, corkscrewing tunnels and see lots of brush and trees, but you’re not going over the tops of the mountains, really, aside from Aramovoa, which holds the titile for the highest station in Bulgaria.

About the Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway

The Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway, or Septemvri–Dobrinishte line, is more than just a train ride. Built between 1921 and 1945, it was a huge engineering project for its time, linking remote mountain communities with the rest of Bulgaria. At its peak, Bulgaria had several narrow-gauge lines, but this is the last survivor. The line runs for 125 kilometers (78 miles), twisting and turning through the Rhodopes and Rila mountains, climbing to Avramovo station – the highest in the Balkans at 1,267 meters above sea level.

Today, the line is operated by Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ). The rolling stock isn’t modern, and you shouldn’t expect luxury. The seats are simple, the heating sometimes patchy, and catering is nonexistent, apart from a “café” that which runs on one of the four trains each day.  Currently its on the 08:55 from Septembri to Dobrinishte and the 14:40 return from Dobrinishte to Septembri.  And the train doesn’t stop long enough at any of the stations to get any refreshments, even if there are any.

It’s all part of the experience. Bring your own picnic, grab a seat and enjoy the ride.

The Route: Bansko to Septemvri

While the line in Dobrinishte, most people will join in Bansko, where we do.  There are 24 stops along the route.

Bansko

Bulgaria’s primary ski resort.   You’ll find many facilities here, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter, Bansko is an all-season resort, offering hiking, mountain biking, and many other outdoor sports.  Bansko has hosted the free Jazz Festival for more than 20 years now in August of each year.

• Read more about things to do in Bansko in Summer 
• Want to know what you should eat in Bansko – and where?

Belitsa

Famous for being home to the ex-Dancing Bear’s sanctuary run by the Four Paws organization, the Belitsa station is quite some distance from the Dancing Bear park.  Read more about the Dancing Bear Park and how to visit.

Aramovo

The highlight stop, although there’s nothing there aside from the station, is Avramovo, the highest railway station in the Balkans. The train spirals and zigzags up the mountain to reach it, passing through dozens of corkscrewing tunnels. At 1,267 meters, the views here are lovely, especially in autumn when the forests blaze with color or in winter when snow blankets the valleys.

Velingrad

Another memorable stop is Velingrad, known for its hot springs. If you have time in your itinerary, you could break the journey here for a soak.   The 80 hot springs of Velingrad allegedly cure all kinds of ailments and since 2009 the town has been recognized as the spa capital of Bulgaria!  It’s a great overnight stop if you’re planning a break from either Bansko or Plovdiv.

We took this train en-route to Istanbul from Bansko, you can read about your options of how to do that here.

By the time you reach Septemvri, you’ve passed through a real cross-section of mountain Bulgaria. The pace is slow, positively glacial, but it’s a lovely way to get between Bansko and Septembri.

The full trip takes about five hours, depending on stops. Trains usually run four times a day.  The express train takes about 4.5 hours, rather than 5.

How to Take the Train from Bansko to Septemvri

Taking this train is refreshingly simple. Tickets can be bought at the station in Bansko – the ticket office is open ahead of departures – or from the conductor onboard. There’s also a ticket machine at Bansko now.  You don’t need to book ahead; there’s no online reservation system, and seats are first-come, first-served.

If you don’t manage to buy a ticket at a station, then don’t worry, there are conductors onboard who will sell you a ticket. At the time of writing, the fare is just a few leva, making it one of the best-value train rides in Europe. You can pay with card even on the train. Want to see the current prices? Here you go.

Bansko station is located right at the bottom of town.  It’s  about a 15-minute walk from the center. There’s a small waiting room, but don’t expect shops or cafés. Bring water and snacks with you – there’s nothing onboard.

Trains on this line are usually composed of three or four carriages and a diesel locomotive. There’s no reserved seating, seats are two on one side and one on the other.

There are four trains a day in each direction.  The full timetable is published on BDZ’s website,  here.

Facilities on the Rhodope Narrow Gauge Train

There are usually only second-class carriages and seats on this train, but the seats are padded and comfortable.  Often during the summer months there are special trains with specific carriages for groups. Some have tables.  There is heating, as this train runs throughout the year, no matter what the weather.  There are toilets in the carriages.

Catering and Facilities on the Bansko to Septemvri Train

There is a cafe carriage on the train, but only on some trains (check the timetable to see which one). When we traveled in September 2025 from Bansko to Plovdiv it was only on the 08:40 trip from Septemvri and then on the next one back from Dobrinishte. It’s possible to buy coffee, beer, and some snacks.  This has been possible since 2018.   However, taking a picnic and a good bottle of Bulgarian wine is a fabulous way to spend the time on this glorious little train!

Connecting Onward from Septemvri

Septemvri itself is a small town, but it’s an important junction. From here, you can catch mainline trains heading both east and west.

To Sofia: Direct trains from Septemvri to Sofia take about 2 hours.

To Plovdiv: Trains run frequently and take about 30 minutes. Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second city and well worth a stop for its Roman amphitheatre, colorful old town, and lively café scene.  If you’re wanting to catch the train to Istanbul, then you can pick it up here.

What Times Does the Narrow Gauge Railway Run

The timetable for the Dobrinishte to Septemvri train is as follows.  The timetable is the same each day, there may be a few minutes either way on the timetable, but it usually runs to time..

Dobrinishte	Bansko	Septemvri
06:25	06:40	11:20
10:25	10:38	15:04
14:40	14:52	18:54
18:05	18:20	22:53

The timetable for the train from Septemvri to Bansko and then Dobrinishte is as follows:

Septemvri	Bansko	Dobrinishte
02:20	07:09	07:26
08:50	12:58	13:15
12:40	17:18	17:40
15:57	20:53	21:15

History of the Bulgarian Narrow Gauge Railway

The line first opened, at least between Septemvri and Velingrad in 1926 – this first 80 kilometer took 5 years to build.  The next part of the line – from Velingrad to Jakoruda opened in 1937.    The line was finally completed through to Dobrinishte in 1945.

Tips for Riding the Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway

• Toilets: Basic facilities are available at some stations, the toilets at Yakoruda are particularly horrible, there are toilets on the train, but they’re basic (and better than Yakorudas).
• Bring supplies: There’s no catering onboard, aside from one designated train in each direction per day.
• Pack food, water, and maybe a thermos of coffee.
• Pick your seat: Views are good on both sides, but the light shifts with the time of day, during the summer its HOT sitting in the sun.
• Try to sit facing forward for the best experience.
• Expect it to be slow: This is not a quick transfer. Enjoy the experience
• Best time to ride: Autumn is stunning for foliage, winter for snowy landscapes, spring for wildflowers. Summer can be hot, especially in the carriages.

Bulgaria Trip Planning Essentials

• Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM
• Install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Bulgaria > discount coupon here
• Arrange your airport transfer in Bulgaria with Welcome Pickups.
• Make sure you can charge your electronics – here’s our guide to plug adapters in Bulgaria
• Top Attractions in Bulgaria to PREBOOK
  • Visit Rila Monastery + Boyana Church
  • Explore Veliko Tarnovo – Bulgaria’s Original Capital City
  • Go wine tasting in Melnik – Bulgaria’s wine capital
  • Take a FREE Walking Tour in Sofia
  • Explore Buzludzha aka the UFO Monument
  • Spend a day in GORGEOUS Plovdiv
• Book Buses + Transfers in Bulgaria with Bookaway
• Rent a Car in Bulgaria with Discover Cars
• Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com

Final Words on Riding the Bansko to Septembri Train

The Bansko–Septemvri narrow gauge railway is one of Europe’s last surviving narrow-gauge lines, and it’s a great way to travel.  It’s not fast, and it’s not fancy, but that’s exactly why it’s special. If you’re heading to Bansko for skiing, or making your way between Sofia and Plovdiv, make time to ride this line.

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