Bansko has its own railway station, but the train isn't the quickest way to arrive. It's better thought of as a scenic day out than as transport.
The Rhodope narrow-gauge railway
Bansko sits on the Septemvri-Dobrinishte line, the only narrow-gauge railway still operating in Bulgaria. The line covers 125 km, running through Velingrad, Yakoruda, Razlog and Bansko before ending at Dobrinishte, with Bansko the penultimate stop. It passes through the Rila, Pirin and Rhodope mountains and is often described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the Balkans.
Getting to Bansko from Sofia
There's no direct train. First take a mainline train from Sofia to Septemvri, which takes about 2 hours 18 minutes, then change to the narrow-gauge service. The narrow-gauge leg is slow, taking just under 5 hours because trains run at only 30-50 km/h.
Is it practical?
For most visitors, no. Buses between Bansko and Plovdiv take about three hours, compared with about five on the train, and a transfer from Sofia is much quicker. The train earns its place if you want the experience, or if you're heading to Velingrad, a spa town along the same line.
What to expect
These are humble local trains, so expect a slow, rattly ride rather than comfort. Bring snacks and water, and allow plenty of time. Only a few services run each day, so the timetable can be tight.