Bulgaria Away - 6th June 2009

**eaststand85** · 09/12/2008, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Paulie

No bother. Let me know how you get on. It seems odd that they did it for me but not for you.

Just been on to them again and once I mentioned that I knew someone else had gotten this option there was no problem and they offered me the choice of flying these flights and times on the Thursday (4th) or the Friday (5th) so just waiting on one of the lads to decide before confirming. Seems to depend on who you talk to there!

In fairness though they're also allowing us to do different things with the three tickets we booked on the one reservation if we want (one refund, one fly Thursday, one fly Friday for example).

**Paulie** · 09/12/2008, 5:22 PM

As far as I remember the earliest Air France will get you in to Sofia for is 22:15. Assuming you're coming home on Sunday, that would only give you one full day there if you went over on the Friday. I'd go with a Thursday departure if I were you.

Anyway, glad to hear that they sorted you out.

**NeilMcD** · 09/12/2008, 5:37 PM

Yeah I am booked on the Thursday flight. Simple enough change too. Quick enough changeover in Paris, so it will be a flight full of drink and singing and I am sure we can all share a cab into town and be in the pub for 11.30

**Paulie** · 09/12/2008, 5:49 PM

Absolutely! All we need to do is ask at the hotel where the nearest pub that serves until about 6am is, and we're sorted.

**eaststand85** · 09/12/2008, 7:19 PM

Sounds good, am going with the Thursday departure!

**mypost** · 09/12/2008, 8:28 PM

Originally Posted by Paulie

As far as I remember the earliest Air France will get you in to Sofia for is 22:15. Assuming you're coming home on Sunday, that would only give you one full day there if you went over on the Friday. I'd go with a Thursday departure if I were you.

Anyway, glad to hear that they sorted you out.

Lads, the game is on the bank holiday weekend, so you can stay an extra day.

**Greenforever** · 09/12/2008, 8:40 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Lads, the game is on the bank holiday weekend, so you can stay an extra day.

It's not, the bank holiday is June 1st, previous week.

**EastTerracer** · 10/12/2008, 2:12 AM

Originally Posted by Paulie

Absolutely! All we need to do is ask at the hotel where the nearest pub that serves until about 6am is, and we're sorted.

I did some work in Sofia a few years ago and one of the better pubs is JJ Murphys. http://www.jjmurphys.com/

There are some good Bulgarian bars as well but language can be a problem so if in doubt try this.....

Edna golyama Zagorka molya = a large Zagorka beer please.

**NeilMcD** · 10/12/2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Greenforever

It's not, the bank holiday is June 1st, previous week.

Lads I think the way they have been behaving the last 2 years the banks have been on holiday.

**Saint Tom** · 14/12/2008, 5:55 PM

booked out with wizzair from Luton on wednesday night (get in to sofia at 23.00) and back with easyjet to Gatwick on sunday lunchtime. Then add ryanair connections on to Dublin and the total comes to about �130 inc tax which im happy with. Connection times look ok too, bout two hours each way.

losing the czech connection is a blow, because i have found them brilliant for non direct routes and very competitive on price.

**Babysis** · 14/12/2008, 6:23 PM

Ah but Saint Tom on the bright side you get the company of me and Green Tribe on the journey back now

I have to say this is so far working out to be one of the easier (and cheaper) trips to organise. We just need to book our connection to Gatwick, so hopefully there will be a sale on flights from shannon in the new year.

**Moscow Mule** · 14/12/2008, 8:26 PM

Originally Posted by Saint Tom

booked out with wizzair from Luton on wednesday night (get in to sofia at 23.00) and back with easyjet to Gatwick on sunday lunchtime. Then add ryanair connections on to Dublin and the total comes to about �130 inc tax which im happy with. Connection times look ok too, bout two hours each way.

losing the czech connection is a blow, because i have found them brilliant for non direct routes and very competitive on price.

Well done Tom and since when did you worry about price. Has the dreaded crunch got you?

**gspain** · 15/12/2008, 1:51 PM

I've got my e-mail confirmation now that I'm moved to Cityjet/Air France from Czech Airlines.

I opted for the 3 hour connection in Paris on the way over. It's probably overkill and they will probably hold the plane rather than put up a group of Irish fans for the night. However CDG is a nightmare for changing planes and it means peace of mind. Both flights depart/arrive from Terminal 2 so it shouldn't be too bad.

Be careful if called, a friend was called on saturday and offered a refund only. He then called me, I explained re offer of re-route. He called them back within 5 minutes but was told it was too late. It has now cost him over �100 extra to book through Frankfurt.

**Saint Tom** · 16/12/2008, 9:34 PM

Originally Posted by Moscow Mule

Well done Tom and since when did you worry about price. Has the dreaded crunch got you?

Well with Italy having to be booked around the same time given the uncertainty on venue i thought i'd chance it with the ahem budget airlines. The other option is www.air.bg/en who had good deals from London Heathrow and Gatwick and also Manchester but crap times coming back on Sunday early am (Manchester is lunchtime but quite a bit more expensive). But considering the time of the easy jet flight on the sunday lunchtime which is perfect, and getting all day Thursday in Sofia by arriving at 11.00pm on wednesday night I think its a result.

Also, tonnes of connections to Luton and Gatwick from Dublin

The crunch has got me by the balls alright

**Paddser** · 17/12/2008, 10:41 AM

For any Dubs or Meath people, dont forget, like I did, that Meath play Dublin on the Sunday. I have Wizzair booked for the flight back on Sunday, which gets into Luton at 12.30 or so. There is a Luton to Dub flight at 13.10, but im guessing even being checked in online, its a no hoper to make that connection?? I'm booked on the 16.20 flight as it is.

The Air Bulgaria flight at stupid o'clock in the morning is only �45, so think ill book that instead.

**SuperDub** · 17/12/2008, 7:52 PM

Originally Posted by Paddser

For any Dubs or Meath people, dont forget, like I did, that Meath play Dublin on the Sunday. I have Wizzair booked for the flight back on Sunday, which gets into Luton at 12.30 or so. There is a Luton to Dub flight at 13.10, but im guessing even being checked in online, its a no hoper to make that connection?? I'm booked on the 16.20 flight as it is.

The Air Bulgaria flight at stupid o'clock in the morning is only �45, so think ill book that instead.

I only realised this after we had booked our flights. This is one dub who will have to rely on text updates as we will be in frankfurt waiting on a connection on the way home

**aidz1** · 18/12/2008, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by Paddser

For any Dubs or Meath people, dont forget, like I did, that Meath play Dublin on the Sunday. I have Wizzair booked for the flight back on Sunday, which gets into Luton at 12.30 or so. There is a Luton to Dub flight at 13.10, but im guessing even being checked in online, its a no hoper to make that connection?? I'm booked on the 16.20 flight as it is.

The Air Bulgaria flight at stupid o'clock in the morning is only �45, so think ill book that instead.

couldnt find a air bulgaria flight one way back for less than �125...which flight is that one for that amount??

**Green Tribe** · 18/12/2008, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by aidz1

couldnt find a air bulgaria flight one way back for less than €125...which flight is that one for that amount??

that's prob the one from SOFto LGW leaving at 7am (think)might have gone up in price now mind you

**Paddser** · 18/12/2008, 2:21 PM

Originally Posted by aidz1

couldnt find a air bulgaria flight one way back for less than �125...which flight is that one for that amount??

Its the 7.45 am Air Bulgaria Sofia to Gatwick flight on the Sun. I booked it this morn for 89.99 BGN which equates to �46.

Its now 185.84 BGN though (�95)

**kevh** · 19/12/2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by gspain

I've got my e-mail confirmation now that I'm moved to Cityjet/Air France from Czech Airlines.

I opted for the 3 hour connection in Paris on the way over. It's probably overkill and they will probably hold the plane rather than put up a group of Irish fans for the night. However CDG is a nightmare for changing planes and it means peace of mind. Both flights depart/arrive from Terminal 2 so it shouldn't be too bad.

Be careful if called, a friend was called on saturday and offered a refund only. He then called me, I explained re offer of re-route. He called them back within 5 minutes but was told it was too late. It has now cost him over €100 extra to book through Frankfurt.

I just changed my flight today, going out thursday now instead of friday and coming back sunday with Air France.

Didnt get charged any extra to do it