Sofia Airport Transfer Guide: SOF to the City Centre

Sofia Airport sits 10 km east of the city centre — close enough that the journey is straightforward, and inexpensive whichever option you choose. The metro line M4 extension opened in 2020 and transformed arrivals: you can now be in the centre for under BGN 2. Taxis are also well-regulated and affordable. Traffic on the main roads into the city (particularly Tsarigradsko Shose) can slow journey times during morning and evening rush hours.

Metro Line M4 — The Best Option for Most Travellers

Metro line M4 connects Terminal 2 directly to the city centre. It is the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable option for solo travellers and couples travelling light.

Route	Fare	Journey time
Terminal 2 → Sofia University (St. Kliment Ohridski)	BGN 1.60 (~€0.82)	approx. 30 min
Terminal 2 → NDK (National Palace of Culture)	BGN 1.60	approx. 28 min
Terminal 2 → Sofia Central Railway Station	BGN 1.60	change at Serdika

Fares as of 2026. Tickets are purchased from machines inside the metro station at the terminal — you need Bulgarian lev (BGN); card payment is accepted at most machines. The metro runs from approximately 05:00 to 24:00.

Key stations for most visitors:

• Serdika — the central interchange hub, close to the old town and many hotels
• NDK (National Palace of Culture) — the south end of Vitosha Boulevard, the main pedestrian shopping street
• Sofia University — central, near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the city gardens

Terminal 1 note: If your flight uses Terminal 1, there is a free shuttle bus between terminals. Take it to Terminal 2 to access the metro. Allow 10 minutes for the connection.

Bus Routes 84 and 184

Buses 84 and 184 both connect the airport to the city centre via a longer surface route. They are slower than the metro and affected by traffic, but cost the same (BGN 1.60 with a transport card, or BGN 2.00 on board as of 2026) and serve a wider range of stops including some residential areas not on the metro line.

Route	Key stops	Frequency
Bus 84	Terminal 2 → Eagles Bridge → Central Railway Station	every 10–15 min
Bus 184	Terminal 1/2 → Eagles Bridge → Orlov Most	every 15–20 min

Journey time is typically 35–50 minutes, longer in peak hour traffic. Tickets are purchased on board (cash, exact change preferred) or with a Sofiacard transport card. Night coverage is limited — after midnight, taxis or a pre-booked transfer are more reliable.

Taxis from Sofia Airport

The official taxi rank is outside the arrivals exit at Terminal 2. Sofia’s metered taxis are regulated and generally trustworthy from the official rank.

Typical fares from Terminal 2 (as of 2026):

Destination	Approx. fare
City centre (Serdika / NDK area)	BGN 15–20
Sofia Central Railway Station	BGN 12–18
Vitosha Boulevard hotels	BGN 15–22
Sofia Airport to Boyana/Simeonovo	BGN 25–35

Journey time: 20–30 minutes off-peak, 35–50 minutes in rush hour.

Avoid accepting offers from drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall — always go to the official rank outside. Licensed airport taxis display the SOF Airport tariff card on the door or dashboard.

Bolt in Sofia

Bolt operates widely in Sofia and can be picked up from the designated app taxi zone outside Terminal 2. Prices are broadly comparable to metered taxis, with the advantage of a fixed estimate before you confirm.

Private Transfer

A pre-booked private transfer makes sense if you are travelling with family, heavy luggage, or arriving late at night when metro frequency drops. Fixed-price transfers remove currency uncertainty for first-time visitors who haven’t yet changed money.

Book a private transfer from Sofia Airport via Kiwitaxi — fixed price, driver waiting at arrivals, direct to your hotel or apartment.

GetTransfer lets you compare multiple operators for the SOF route, useful for checking pricing across providers before committing.

Travelling Further from Sofia

Sofia Airport is a practical base for onward travel to other Balkans cities:

• Plovdiv (140 km, 1.5–2 hrs by road): the most popular day-trip from Sofia. Shared shuttles and private transfers available.
• Rila Monastery: best reached from the city by organised tour or private transfer — no direct public transport from the airport.
• Vitosha Mountain: easily accessible by metro from the city centre (take M2 to Vitosha station, then tram 6).

If you’re continuing your Balkans trip across borders, see our other airport transfer guides: Belgrade Airport, Sarajevo Airport, Skopje Airport, and Pristina Airport.

Getting to the Airport for Departure

Line M4 runs to Terminal 2 until around midnight. Allow 40–45 minutes from the city centre (including time to reach the metro station and any interchange). For early morning departures before 05:00, a pre-booked taxi or private transfer is the only practical option.

Key Facts

• Airport IATA code: SOF
• Full name: Sofia Airport (Летище София)
• Main terminal: Terminal 2 (most international and scheduled services)
• Distance to city centre: approximately 10 km
• Metro line M4 fare: BGN 1.60 (~€0.82) as of 2026
• Taxi fare to centre: approx. BGN 15–25 (~€8–13) as of 2026
• Journey time by metro: approx. 25–30 minutes
• Journey time by taxi: 20–35 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Bulgaria is not in the eurozone, though some services accept euros at an unfavourable rate.

Plan Your Trip

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