Bulgaria Away - 6th June 2009

**northerncelt** · 06/04/2009, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by finbarrk

Those flights from Bourgas are gone expensive now, only business class left. Varna is an option for anyone in Sunny Beach but its about �50-�70in a taxi to the airport and a journey of an hour and a half maybe.
The trains are sh*te and I dont fancy driving the journey to Sofia.

Yeh flights to Sofia from both of them airports are surprisingly expensive. Im thinking renting a car and driving up from Sunny beach to sofia on the day of the game might be the best option. 4 hr drive maybe. Hotel in sofia and drive down back on the sunday. looks like about 120 euro will cover the car rental for the 2 days so if theres a car full of us its cheap as chips. Just a pity its 200k journey;(!!

Package with Thomas Cook from Belfast Mon 01 June - Tues 09 June �375 each (4 people 2 rooms). That seems ok to me. anyone disagree?

**finbarrk** · 07/04/2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by northerncelt

Yeh flights to Sofia from both of them airports are surprisingly expensive. Im thinking renting a car and driving up from Sunny beach to sofia on the day of the game might be the best option. 4 hr drive maybe. Hotel in sofia and drive down back on the sunday. looks like about 120 euro will cover the car rental for the 2 days so if theres a car full of us its cheap as chips. Just a pity its 200k journey;(!!

Package with Thomas Cook from Belfast Mon 01 June - Tues 09 June �375 each (4 people 2 rooms). That seems ok to me. anyone disagree?

I might be intrested in that car. Would the journey be done in 4 hours do you think?

**NeilMcD** · 07/04/2009, 1:49 PM

Just a reminder that this Thursday is the final day for applying for tickets for the Bulgaria game.

**Claret Murph** · 07/04/2009, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Just a reminder that this Thursday is the final day for applying for tickets for the Bulgaria game.

Jezzzz that was quick , thanks Neil

**AidoM** · 07/04/2009, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Just a reminder that this Thursday is the final day for applying for tickets for the Bulgaria game.

Correction

It's the final day for requesting an application form to be sent to you for tickets

**eaststand85** · 07/04/2009, 3:38 PM

Only the FAI would think of this:

"The closing date to apply for an application form for this fixture is Thursday April 9th 2009".

**NeilMcD** · 07/04/2009, 5:54 PM

Originally Posted by AidoM

Correction

It's the final day for requesting an application form to be sent to you for tickets

Yeah sorry that is what I meant, sorry.

**Colie** · 07/04/2009, 6:14 PM

What's the chances of another charter. That'd save my day.

**mypost** · 08/04/2009, 5:18 AM

Originally Posted by reder

We are staying in the Arena Di Serdica Hotel in the city centre. Got a great deal on an executive room. Cheaper than the Radisson.

It won't say Arena di Serdica of course. It'll be "Арена ди Сердика".

**cobra** · 08/04/2009, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by northerncelt

Yeh flights to Sofia from both of them airports are surprisingly expensive. Im thinking renting a car and driving up from Sunny beach to sofia on the day of the game might be the best option. 4 hr drive maybe. Hotel in sofia and drive down back on the sunday. looks like about 120 euro will cover the car rental for the 2 days so if theres a car full of us its cheap as chips. Just a pity its 200k journey;(!!

Package with Thomas Cook from Belfast Mon 01 June - Tues 09 June �375 each (4 people 2 rooms). That seems ok to me. anyone disagree?

Were flying into Sofia on the friday for the game, then Sunday heading down to the coast and flying home on the thursday with aer lingus from bourgas to Dublin.
On hiring a car, I have driven over there and I can honestly say they are the worst drivers I have ever came across.

**northerncelt** · 08/04/2009, 9:45 AM

Originally Posted by cobra

Were flying into Sofia on the friday for the game, then Sunday heading down to the coast and flying home on the thursday with aer lingus from bourgas to Dublin.
On hiring a car, I have driven over there and I can honestly say they are the worst drivers I have ever came across.

what was the damage for this Cobra?? u getting train down to coast?

Finbarrk..... ill keep you posted if we do it that way.

**jbyrne** · 08/04/2009, 9:45 AM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Only the FAI would think of this:

"The closing date to apply for an application form for this fixture is Thursday April 9th 2009".

maybe its this kind of thinking that has led to a very efficient ticket system for away matches that has resulted in me never once being left outside an away match stadium without a ticket. if your statement was a slag on the FAI you are way off the mark

**eaststand85** · 08/04/2009, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

maybe its this kind of thinking that has led to a very efficient ticket system for away matches that has resulted in me never once being left outside an away match stadium without a ticket. if your statement was a slag on the FAI you are way off the mark

Well done you. I'm simply laughing at the absurdity of making people apply for application forms.

**finbarrk** · 08/04/2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Well done you. I'm simply laughing at the absurdity of making people apply for application forms.

Whats the problem with applying for an application form?

**jbyrne** · 08/04/2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Well done you. I'm simply laughing at the absurdity of making people apply for application forms.

it gives them an opportunity to have an early idea of what the ticket requirement will be and base their ticket quantity application to the home association accordingly. i'm sure there are other benefits also. the whole process is pretty well handled

**finbarrk** · 08/04/2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by northerncelt

what was the damage for this Cobra?? u getting train down to coast?

Finbarrk..... ill keep you posted if we do it that way.

This flight is reasonable. Varna- Sofia Fri dep 17.55, Sofia- Varna Sun dep 09.30. Around €65 total.
It might be a better option. Thats if we can get away with 2 nights!

http://wftc2.e-travel.com/plnext/bul...0914!741456316

**eaststand85** · 08/04/2009, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

it gives them an opportunity to have an early idea of what the ticket requirement will be and base their ticket quantity application to the home association accordingly. i'm sure there are other benefits also. the whole process is pretty well handled

Didn't realise people were so sensitive about the "benefits" of FAI bureaucracy, surely it's just as easy and beneficial to ask people to apply once rather than twice? Never mind, was just a thought.

**cobra** · 08/04/2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by northerncelt

what was the damage for this Cobra?? u getting train down to coast?

was �202 for the flights when we booked them, just checked them there now and same flights are �280
ryanair dub-ltn, then wizz air ltn-sofia

Undecided about way down yet, coach can take 5-6 hours(maybe longer) only about �12 though, train can take longer

cheap too though, flights are working out dear enough and dont leave til late sunday night.
Taxi company i know of are charging �160 for 4 people/ 180 for 6. Journey taking 4- 4 1/2 hours.
Might opt for the train just to see the countryside, done the journey last December but was an overnight train

**gspain** · 08/04/2009, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Didn't realise people were so sensitive about the "benefits" of FAI bureaucracy, surely it's just as easy and beneficial to ask people to apply once rather than twice? Never mind, was just a thought.

I imagine it is to ascertain demand at the moment. Otherwise they will have to wait until they know prices.

By accepting applications now they can tell the Bulgarians they'd sell X tickets. This increases the chances of getting an increased allocation. It means in most cases all travelling fans (that apply in time) end up with a ticket.

**Tipperary_Man** · 09/04/2009, 10:23 PM

wizzair fly out early sunday and monday morning to rome (Da Vinci) arrive at 0655, you have 4 hours to get to the other airport in Rome (Ciampino) where you can fly to Dublin with Ryanair
If people want to come out on the Saturday Easyjet have a flight from Gatwick at 6am to Sofia and the price is reasonable, might mean sleeping the night in Gatwick itself though but you can get a cheap flight over from Dublin or Shannon late Friday night