SOF•7 million passengers/year

Sofia Airport Transfer Guide

Everything you need to know about transfers from Sofia Airport. Meeting points, prices, transport options, and insider tips.

Terminal Information

Sofia Airport has 2 terminals: Terminal 1 (older, some charter flights) and Terminal 2 (modern, most scheduled flights). Terminal 2 is connected to the Metro.

📍 Where to Meet Your Driver

At Terminal 2, your driver meets you in the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor, near the exits. At Terminal 1, the meeting point is directly outside the main exit. Always confirm which terminal with your driver.

Getting to Sofia Center

Distance: 10 km • Drive time: 15-25 minutes

Metro Line 1

€0.80 (1.60 BGN)20 min to Serdika (center)

From Terminal 2 only. Modern, clean, fast. Runs every 5-10 minutes, 05:30-23:30.

Bus 84 / 184

€0.8030-40 min to center

From both terminals. Buy ticket from driver or newsstand. Validate on board.

🚕 Taxi Rank

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Only use OK Supertrans (official airport taxi with green signs). Pirate taxis at Sofia Airport are a well-known scam — they look similar but charge 5-10x the real price. A legitimate ride to the center costs €8-12.

Airport Facilities

📶 WiFi

Free WiFi available. Connect to 'Sofia Airport Free WiFi'.

🛋️ Lounges

New Arrivals Lounge in T2. Business lounge available for €25 walk-in.

🏪 Facilities & Services

Currency exchange (use ATMs instead for better rates), small pharmacy, car rental desks in both terminals.

Insider Tips

💡

NEVER take a taxi that is not OK Supertrans (green signs, green branding). Pirate taxis are the #1 tourist scam at Sofia Airport. They charge €30-50 for a €8 ride.

💡

The Metro from Terminal 2 is modern, cheap (€0.80!), and reaches the center in 20 minutes. Best value option.

💡

If heading to ski resorts (Bansko, Borovets), pre-book a transfer — there is no public transport directly to ski areas from the airport.

💡

Bulgaria adopted the Euro in 2025, but some small shops may still display prices in BGN (1 EUR ≈ 1.96 BGN).

Introduction

Welcome to Sofia Airport (SOF), the main international gateway to Bulgaria. This guide will provide you with all the essential information for a smooth and hassle-free transfer from the airport. Whether you are looking for information on taxis, public transport, or car rentals, this guide has you covered.

Airport Overview


Full Name	Sofia Airport (Vasil Levski)
IATA Code	SOF
City	Sofia
Country	Bulgaria
Terminals	2 (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2)
Passenger Traffic	Over 7 million passengers in 2023
Distance to City Center	Approximately 10 km

Terminal Layout & Airlines

Sofia Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus service operates between the terminals.

Terminal 1: Primarily serves low-cost and charter airlines. Airlines operating from Terminal 1 include Wizz Air, and others.

Terminal 2: The newer and larger terminal, serving full-service and major airlines. Airlines operating from Terminal 2 include Bulgaria Air, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Ryanair.

Arrivals & Meet Your Driver

Upon arrival at Sofia Airport, you will proceed through immigration and baggage claim. The arrivals halls are located on the ground floor of both terminals. Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, after you exit the baggage claim area. Look for a driver holding a sign with your name on it.

Terminal 1: The meeting point is in the arrivals hall, immediately after you exit the customs area.

Terminal 2: The meeting point is in the arrivals hall, to the right as you exit the customs area, near the 'Welcome to Sofia' sign.

Taxi & Rideshare

Official taxi ranks are located outside the arrivals areas of both terminals. It is recommended to use the official taxi partner of the airport, Yellow Taxi, to avoid overcharging. The approximate fare to the city center is 15-25 BGN (€8-€13).

Option	Location	Estimated Fare to City Center
Taxi	Outside Arrivals at T1 & T2	15-25 BGN (€8-€13)
Rideshare	Designated pickup areas	Varies

Public Transport

Sofia Airport is well-connected to the city center by public transport.

Option	Price	Journey Time to City Center
Metro (Line 4)	1.60 BGN (€0.80)	20-30 minutes
Bus (Lines 84 & 184)	1.60 BGN (€0.80)	35-50 minutes

Car Rental

Several major car rental companies have desks at Sofia Airport, located in the arrivals halls of both terminals. These include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and others.

Airport Facilities

WiFi: Free WiFi is available throughout both terminals.

Lounges: Business lounges are available in Terminal 2.

Currency Exchange: Currency exchange offices and ATMs are available in both terminals.

Luggage Storage: Luggage storage is available in Terminal 1.

SIM Cards: SIM cards can be purchased from various vendors in the arrivals halls.

Parking Information

Both short-term and long-term parking options are available at Sofia Airport. The open-air car parks are located in front of the terminal buildings. The first 10 minutes are free of charge.

Top Destinations & Drive Times

Destination	Drive Time
Sofia City Center	20-30 minutes
Vitosha Mountain	30-40 minutes
Rila Monastery	1.5-2 hours
Plovdiv	1.5-2 hours
Bansko	2.5-3 hours
Borovets	1-1.5 hours

Layover Tips

If you have a long layover at Sofia Airport, you can take the metro to the city center and explore some of the sights. A single metro ticket is valid for a single trip, so you will need to purchase another ticket for your return journey. Alternatively, you can relax in one of the airport lounges.

Dining & Shopping

Both terminals offer a variety of dining and shopping options, including cafes, restaurants, duty-free shops, and souvenir stores.

Accessibility

Sofia Airport is committed to providing a comfortable and accessible experience for all passengers. Special assistance is available for passengers with reduced mobility. It is recommended to book assistance in advance with your airline.