First Time Arriving at Sofia Airport? What to Expect

Landing in a new country is stressful enough without wondering which passport lane to join, whether you need a visa, or how to reach your hotel without being overcharged. In 2026 there is an extra layer of confusion: Schengen rules, new EU entry systems, and Bulgaria‘s switch to the euro. This guide walks you through Sofia Airport (SOF) in the order you will meet it: the entry rules, the terminals, passport control, baggage, customs, and the best ways into the city.

Bulgaria in Schengen: What It Changes at the Airport

Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air and sea borders in March 2024, and land borders followed on 1 January 2025. In 2026 it is a full member. Border controls between Bulgaria and the other Schengen countries are gone.

For you, this depends on where your flight started:

• Flying in from another Schengen country: you will not normally go through passport control at Sofia. You walk off the plane and head to baggage claim, as on a domestic trip. Carry your passport or ID card anyway, because airlines can ask for it at boarding.
• Flying in from outside Schengen (London, New York, Istanbul, Dubai): standard Schengen entry checks apply, and you go through passport control at Sofia.

Passport, Visa or ETIAS: What You Need to Enter

Your nationality decides which route applies to you.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

Citizens of EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter with a valid passport or national ID card. No visa is needed and there is no limit on the length of stay. You use the “EU/EEA/CH” lane, where the check is usually a quick look at your ID and no stamp.

Visa-exempt travellers (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and others)

About 60 non-EU countries have visa-free access for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. These travellers will also need an ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS is not a visa. It is an online pre-travel authorisation linked electronically to your passport. Here is what to know:

• Where to apply: only on the official site, travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en. Copycat sites charge extra.
• Fee: €7 (about 13.69 BGN).
• Validity: three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Processing: most applications are decided within minutes. Some take up to 96 hours. If officials ask for extra documents, it can take up to four weeks. Apply several days before you fly.

The EU has been moving the start date for ETIAS, so check the official site before booking to see whether it is mandatory for your travel dates.

Travellers who need a Schengen visa

Citizens of countries such as India, China and most African states need a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa before travelling. It allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend most of your time. If there is no main destination, apply to the country of first entry. The standard fee is €90 (about 176 BGN), and children aged 6 to 11 pay €45 (about 88 BGN). Reduced fees apply to some categories.

Documents a Border Officer May Ask For

Non-EU/EEA visitors should have these ready:

• A valid passport: valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years.
• Proof of funds: typically at least 50 BGN (about €25.56) per day, and not less than 500 BGN (about €255.65) in total. Bank statements or cards can show this.
• A return or onward ticket.
• Accommodation proof: a hotel booking or an invitation letter.
• Travel medical insurance: at least €30,000 (about 58,675 BGN) of cover for emergency treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation. It is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants and a smart idea for everyone else.

You will not always be asked. Officers may question you about your purpose of visit, length of stay and accommodation, though, so keep these papers in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag. A screenshot is useful, but a printout is safer when your phone battery dies.

Terminal 1 or Terminal 2: Check Before You Land

Sofia Airport has two terminals. Terminal 2 (T2) is the larger, more modern one and handles most international scheduled flights, especially those from outside Schengen. Terminal 1 (T1) is often used by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Always check your booking confirmation for the terminal.

The terminal matters because the metro station is at T2. If you land at T1, a free shuttle bus links the two terminals every 30 minutes between 07:00 and 19:00. After 19:00 you must use a taxi or a public bus from T1.

From Plane to Arrivals Hall: The Step-by-Step

1. Leave the aircraft. Follow the signs for “Arrivals” (Пристигащи) and “Passport Control” (Паспортен контрол). Signs are in Bulgarian and English.
2. Choose your lane. EU/EEA/CH citizens use the dedicated lane. Everyone else uses “All Passports” or “Non-EU/EEA”. This includes people with ETIAS or a Schengen visa. EU/EEA/CH lanes usually take 5 to 15 minutes. Expect 20 to 45 minutes on average in the non-EU lane.
3. Speak to the officer. Hand over your passport (plus visa or ETIAS if relevant). Be ready to answer simple questions about your trip.
4. Give your biometrics. Non-EU/EEA travellers have fingerprints and a facial image taken. Under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, rolling out since October 2025, this record gradually replaces the old entry stamp. Depending on how the system is running that day, you may get a stamp or a digital record.
5. Collect your bags. Check the screens for your flight number and carousel. Baggage carts are free. Bags usually appear 15 to 40 minutes after landing.
6. Pass through customs. Use the Green Channel (“Nothing to Declare”) if you carry nothing above duty-free allowances or restricted. Use the Red Channel (“Goods to Declare”) for dutiable goods, restricted items or cash over €10,000 (19,558 BGN). Bulgaria follows standard EU customs rules, and allowance details are at customs.bg/en.

What You Can Do in the Arrivals Hall: Cash, SIM and Car Rental

Terminal 2’s arrivals hall has most of what a new arrival needs:

• Information desk: prominently placed, for directions and general help.
• ATMs: several from Bulgarian banks, including DSK Bank and UniCredit Bulbank. They are usually the best way to get cash. Exchange offices exist, but their rates are generally worse than bank ATMs.
• SIM cards: kiosks for A1, Yettel and Vivacom sell local SIMs with data plans. It is a practical way to get online straight away.
• Car rental: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt and Enterprise have desks in the arrivals area. Book ahead in peak season.
• Shops and cafés: small shops, duty-free options and cafés for a first snack.

On money: the lev was pegged at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN, and Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. Prices are now shown in euros, and ATMs pay out euros. This article shows lev amounts converted at the fixed rate, so you can compare them with older guides and price tags. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, larger shops and supermarkets. American Express and Discover are less common. Keep a little cash for small purchases, some taxis and small local places.

Getting Into Sofia: Metro, Bus, Taxi, Ride-Hailing and Rail

Metro (best option from Terminal 2)

The metro station is directly in front of T2, reached by a covered walkway. Take Line 4 (the purple line) towards “Obelya”. The ride to Serdika Station, a central interchange, takes about 25 to 30 minutes. A single ticket costs 1.60 BGN (about €0.82). Buy it at ticket machines or staffed kiosks in the station. Machines take cash and cards. You can also buy a reusable Sofia City Card and load credit or passes on it. Trains run from about 05:00 to 24:00. Timetables are on www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/.

Public bus

Lines 84 and 184 serve both terminals and head towards Gen. Gurko Str. in the centre, passing Orlov Most (Eagle’s Bridge). Expect 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The fare is the same 1.60 BGN (about €0.82). Buy from newspaper kiosks in the terminal or ticket machines at bus stops, and validate immediately when you board. Buses come every 15 to 20 minutes at peak hours and run from about 05:00 to 23:00.

Taxi

Use only the official airport taxi company, OK Supertrans (ОК Супертранс). Its desks are in the arrivals halls of both terminals, and its cars use meters. You can also book through its app, Yellow!, on iOS and Android. A ride to the centre usually costs 20 to 30 BGN (about €10.22 to €15.34) and takes 15 to 25 minutes. Ignore anyone in the terminal or outside who offers you a ride. These are often scams with inflated prices.

Ride-hailing

Bolt operates in Sofia. Pickups inside the designated taxi zones are technically restricted, and some drivers arrange pickups slightly outside the immediate airport area, for example at a nearby petrol station. This varies and depends on local rules, so check the app and local regulations on the day.

Onward rail travel with BDZ

There is no train station at the airport. To reach the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) network, take Metro Line 4 from T2 to the “Central Railway Station” (Централна гара) stop, about 30 to 35 minutes. A second-class ticket from Sofia to Plovdiv costs roughly 12 to 18 BGN (about €6.13 to €9.20), depending on the train type. Information is on www.bdz.bg/en.

2026 Budget Reality for Your Airport Transfer

• Budget: metro or bus, 1.60 BGN (about €0.82) per person. This is the cheapest option and, for central hotels, often one of the fastest.
• Mid-range: a 24-hour pass at 6.00 BGN (about €3.07), or a 72-hour pass at 15.00 BGN (about €7.67). These work well if you will use the metro and buses a lot on your first days. Pair them with a metro ride into town.
• Comfortable: an official OK Supertrans taxi at 20 to 30 BGN (about €10.22 to €15.34). It is door-to-door, and handy with heavy bags, late arrivals or small children.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Going to the wrong terminal. Check your terminal before leaving home. Heading for the metro at T1 means a shuttle first.
• Taking a ride from a stranger. Walk past anyone offering a taxi. Use the OK Supertrans desk or the Yellow! app.
• Using a third-party ETIAS site. Only travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en is official, and the fee is €7.
• Packing your documents in checked luggage. Border officers may ask for them before you reach the carousel.
• Exchanging cash at the airport. ATM rates are generally better than exchange desks.
• Not validating a bus ticket. Do it as soon as you board.
• Passport validity. It must cover three months beyond your departure date and be less than 10 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to enter Bulgaria in 2026?

It depends on your passport. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need only ID. Visa-exempt travellers such as Americans, Britons and Canadians can stay 90 days in any 180-day period and will need ETIAS once it starts. Citizens of countries such as India and China need a Schengen Type C visa.

How long are passport control queues at Sofia Airport?

EU/EEA/Swiss lanes usually take 5 to 15 minutes. Non-EU/EEA lanes average 20 to 45 minutes, and can exceed an hour at peak times. Time of day, simultaneous arrivals and staffing all matter. Keep documents ready in your hand to avoid slowing yourself down.

What is the cheapest way from Sofia Airport to the city centre?

The metro and buses 84 and 184 are cheapest, at 1.60 BGN (about €0.82) per single journey. The metro from Terminal 2 reaches Serdika in about 25 to 30 minutes. Buses take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, and both terminals have bus links.

Which taxi should I use at Sofia Airport?

Use OK Supertrans, the official airport taxi company, with desks in both arrivals halls. It uses metered fares, and you can book through its Yellow! app. A ride to the centre costs about 20 to 30 BGN (€10.22 to €15.34). Avoid anyone approaching you inside or outside the terminal.

Is there a train from Sofia Airport?

No. The airport has no train station. Take Metro Line 4 from Terminal 2 to Central Railway Station, about 30 to 35 minutes, then buy your BDZ ticket there. A second-class ticket to Plovdiv costs roughly 12 to 18 BGN (about €6.13 to €9.20).

📷 Featured image by Robin E on Unsplash.