View source for Ruse-Giurgiu border crossing

The '''Ruse-Giurgiu border crossing''' connects [[Bulgaria]] ([[Ruse]]) and [[Romania]] ([[Giurgiu]]). The border is the Danube River, which is traversed by the Friendship Bridge. Walking across the bridge is not permitted as of August 2009. Both Romanian and Bulgarian passport control is done in a single office on the one or the other end of the bridge. 

'''UPDATE August 2016''' - Successfully walked across the bridge, border guards confirming it was possible but advising to be careful. Footpath exists on both sides but may be obstructed in parts, meaning you must walk on the road. I advise against doing this if it is dark. Takes 30-40 minutes. Good hitch hiking spot for travellers entering Romania (e.g. going to Bucharest) exists immediately after border control on the Romanian side 

'''UPDATE August 2022''' - I successfully walked across the border on foot from Romanian side. No need to walk on the road on the bridge. It is completely viable and safe to walk on footpath there. I've seen people doing the same entering to Romania. There is a free restroom on Bulgarian side. Guards were friendly.

[[File:Erga-border-bulgaria.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Erga, August 2010]]

== Hitchhiking out ==

=== South to [[Turkey]] ===

All truck traffic from Romania to Turkey passes along this border crossing, making it ideal to get a lift straight to [[Edirne]] or [[Istanbul]] without having to stop in Bulgaria. 

Right after the Bulgarian passport control there is a [[roundabout]]. Stand at the roundabout point towards [[Sofia]] and [[Varna]] with a sign reading TR, or ask truck drivers who briefly park after passport control.

About 15 km down the road there is a Turkish truckers restaurant ''Haji Baba''. It's a much better spot to hitch traffic as Ruse is quite a big city and at the restaurant there is much less local traffic. You can also try to hitch a ride straight to [[Istanbul]] (but leave the truck, with all your stuff, before the [[Kapitan Andreevo-Kapıkule border crossing]]).

{{IsIn|Balkans}}

[[Category:Eastern Europe]]
[[Category:Romania]]
[[Category:Bulgaria]]