Difference between revisions of "Ruse-Giurgiu border crossing"

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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. Both Romanian and Bulgarian passport control is done in a single office on the Bulgarian end of the bridge.  
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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.  
  
== Hitching out ==
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'''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
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. Both Romanian and Bulgarian passport control is done in a single office on the Bulgarian end of the bridge.   There is a lot of space to stop cars before they pass over the river.
 
  
Some people consider it dangerous to cross this bridge on foot because of the small path.  At times it can be windy and there can be lots of fast traffic.  As it's quite high above the river you shouldn't cross on foot if you have [[wikipedia:Acrophobia|fear of height]].  Still, many people have walked across without any problems at all, some were even invited to do so by the police.
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[[File:Erga-border-bulgaria.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Erga, August 2010]]
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== Hitchhiking out ==
  
 
=== South to [[Turkey]] ===
 
=== South to [[Turkey]] ===
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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.
 
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.
  
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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]]).
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{{IsIn|Balkans}}
  
 
[[Category:Eastern Europe]]
 
[[Category:Eastern Europe]]
{{IsIn|Balkans}}
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[[Category:Romania]]
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[[Category:Bulgaria]]

Revision as of 21:28, 22 August 2016

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

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).