Sofia Airport - Flight Information and Guide (SOF)

How to get to Sofia Airport

The city centre of Sofia is approximately 10 km from the airport: the metro is the quickest and most economical solution, approximately 20 minutes to the centre.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city center of Sofia in approximately 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.

By Train

Metro: the M1 line of Sofia's metro directly connects Terminal 2 to the city centre in about 20 minutes, with convenient stops for the historic centre and the central railway station.

By Bus

Some urban bus lines connect the airport to the city centre.

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Tips The subway is almost always the fastest and most economical choice, with a dedicated stop at Terminal 2: if you land at Terminal 1 (low-cost flights), a free shuttle takes you to Terminal 2 in just a few minutes.

Average travel time to SOF

Train20 minutes (metro)

Shuttle bus20-25 minutes

Taxi / Private hire20-25 minutes

Parking near Sofia Airport

The official parking area is close to the terminal, reachable on foot.

It is not staffed by dedicated personnel but is video-monitored; official rates are progressive: approximately 5€ up to 1 hour, 10€ up to 2 hours, 15€ up to 3 hours, up to 40€ for the first full day and 100€ for a week; for long stays a convenienced private parking with shuttle is almost always much more economical.

How to get to Sofia from SOF

By Train

Metro: the M4 line connects Terminal 2 directly to downtown Sofia in 26-32 minutes, approximately 1.60 Bulgarian levs (around 0.80€) per ticket.

By Bus

The airport is served by some direct bus lines to the city center.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; the meter is standard for trips to the center, approximately 10-15€ for the 20-25 minute journey.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

Car rental at Sofia Airport

Reference car rental companies have a desk in arrivals area.

A driver's license, passport and credit card are required; the IDP is typically required in addition.

Hotels near Sofia Airport

Sofia Airport is about 10 km from the centre, and metro Line 1 runs from Terminal 2 to Serdika Square in just 18 minutes, for 1.60 lev: for anyone staying more than one night the centre is almost always the better choice, with Vitosha Street and the capital's museums within easy reach of the metro. The calculation changes for departures before 5:30, when the metro isn't running yet, and for layovers of just a few hours, where staying near the terminals avoids the round trip. Travelers who prefer a greener, more residential area can look at Lozenetz, next to Borisova Gradina park, while those catching a train or a long-distance bus to another Bulgarian city will find hotels just steps from Central Station.

Airport area

At the airport and nearby

Hotel shuttles cover the roughly 4 km in a few minutes on request; a taxi takes about the same time, while metro Line 1 connects Terminal 2 to Serdika in 18 minutes but doesn't run between midnight and 5:30.

Best for: Departures before 5:30, when the metro isn't running yet, and layovers of just a few hours.

Pros

Free hotel shuttles available round-the-clock on request, handy for dawn flights
No reliance on the metro, which stops running at night

Cons

Nothing nearby but the Tsarigradsko Shose commercial area: dinner means staying at the hotel
Reaching the centre still means 15-20 minutes by metro or taxi, both ways

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Centre and Vitosha Street

Metro Line 1 runs direct from Terminal 2 to Serdika Square in 18 minutes (1.60 lev), operating from 5:30 to midnight; by taxi the trip takes 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Travelers who want Vitosha Street, the museums and the capital's nightlife, with a direct metro link to the airport.

Pros

Vitosha Street, the National Palace of Culture and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral all within walking distance
Direct metro link to the airport with no changes, handy on the way back too

Cons

The metro doesn't run between midnight and 5:30: for the earliest morning flights only a taxi is left
Central location, so traffic and noisy venues until late on weekends

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Lozenetz

About a 12-minute drive from the airport; Vitosha Street is a 15-minute walk away, while the nearest metro station requires a short bus ride.

Best for: Travelers looking for a green, residential area near Borisova Gradina park, who don't mind a bus or taxi ride into the centre.

Pros

Borisova Gradina park a 10-minute walk away, good for a run or a stroll
A quieter residential district than Vitosha Boulevard in the evening

Cons

No metro station in the immediate vicinity: a bus or taxi is needed
Vitosha Street's nightlife is still a 15-minute walk away

Recommended hotels

Best Western Plus Lozenetz Hotel Attached to a shopping centre in the Lozenetz district, a 15-minute walk from Vitosha Street and 10 from Borisova Gradina; indoor pool and spa area. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Near the airport link

Central Station

From the airport, metro Line 1 to Serdika, then change to Line 2 to Sofia Centralna, 25-30 minutes in total; the hotel is 250 metres from the platforms.

Best for: Travelers catching a train or a long-distance bus to another Bulgarian city.

Pros

A 4-minute walk from both Central Station and the Central Bus Station
Convenient for those leaving at dawn for other Bulgarian cities, with no rush over luggage

Cons

A less touristy area, with traffic on Knyaginya Maria Luiza Boulevard
Vitosha Street and the old town still take 15-20 minutes on foot

Recommended hotels

Best Western Terminus Hotel About 250 metres from Central Station and the Central Bus Station, with breakfast singled out as a strength in reviews. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport offers typical services of a national hub and home base for Bulgaria Air.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers perfume, spirits, and Bulgarian products, including rakia (the local distilled spirit) and rose damascena-based items from Bulgaria's famous Rose Valley.

Lounges & relaxation

Bulgaria Air and partner alliance lounges operate at business level, with access through Star Alliance Gold status, business class ticket, or paid day-pass. Hours generally follow the terminal's flight schedule.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, A1, Yettel, and Vivacom operators have a counter at the airport: convenient if you don't want to look for them in the city.

Families & Children

Support for families with children remains at a basic level in the waiting areas.

Terminal guide

Two terminals: T1 mainly handles low-cost flights, T2 (more modern) handles scheduled flights, including Bulgaria Air's hub; a free shuttle connects them. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes.

Security checks can get longer during peak hours: for international flights you're advised to arrive at least 2-3 hours early.

Map of Sofia Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do you pay in euros or leva in Bulgaria?

In euros: since 1 February 2026, the euro has been the only legal currency in Bulgaria, following official adoption on 1 January 2026 at the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva per euro.

Q. How do you get to the centre of Sofia from the airport?

With the metro (line M1), which directly connects Terminal 2 to the centre in about 20 minutes: generally the fastest and cheapest solution compared to a taxi.

Q. Are Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 connected?

Yes, by a free shuttle: T1 mainly handles low-cost flights, T2 (where the metro also arrives) handles scheduled flights and the Bulgaria Air hub.

Q. Do I need a visa for Bulgaria?

No, for EU citizens and most Western nationalities: Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since January 2025, with tourist stays of up to 90 days for non-EU citizens.