Sofia Airport to City Center: Your Best Transport Options Compared

You land in Sofia after a long flight, your phone is at 12%, and you have no idea which of the six ways into town is the right one. Taxi drivers may be calling out offers, and the metro signs are in Cyrillic. Sofia Airport (SOF) sits only about 10 kilometres east of the center, so the ride is short. The wrong choice can still cost you extra money, time, or patience. This guide compares every option using 2026 fare estimates so you can decide before you reach the arrivals hall.

Quick Comparison: Which Option Fits Which Traveler

Here is the short version. Prices are 2026 estimates for a trip to the city center (EUR at 1 EUR ≈ 1.95583 BGN).

• Metro (M4): 1.80 BGN (about 0.92 EUR). 25-30 minutes. Best for budget travelers, solo visitors, and light luggage.
• Official taxi (OK Supertrans): 28-38 BGN (about 14.32-19.45 EUR). 20-35 minutes. Best for peace of mind, heavy bags, and small groups.
• Taxi apps: 22-32 BGN (about 11.25-16.36 EUR). 20-35 minutes. Best for tech-savvy travelers who want an upfront price.
• Public bus: 1.80 BGN (about 0.92 EUR). 40-60 minutes. Best when you are in no hurry and travel light.
• Private transfer: 45-75 BGN (about 23.01-38.35 EUR). 20-35 minutes. Best for comfort, groups, and special needs.
• Car rental: from 50 BGN (about 25.59 EUR) per day. 20-35 minutes. Best if you plan to explore beyond Sofia.

Two Terminals, One Free Shuttle: Know Where You Land

Sofia Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). A free shuttle bus links them and runs about every 15-20 minutes. This matters because only Terminal 2 has a metro station.

If you land at T2, the metro is a short walk away. If you land at T1, you need one extra step: ride the free shuttle to T2 first. Taxi stands, rental desks, and bus stops are available at both terminals. The metro is the only option that depends on which terminal you use.

The Metro Step by Step (Fastest and Cheapest)

Metro Line 4 (M4) connects the airport directly to the center. Traffic does not affect it, so the journey time stays predictable. Trains run every 8-15 minutes, depending on the time of day, from about 05:00 to 24:00 daily. The ride to Serdika station takes about 25-30 minutes.

1. From Terminal 1: Exit T1, find the free airport shuttle stop, and ride to Terminal 2.
2. From Terminal 2: Follow the “Метро” signs from the arrivals hall to the Sofia Airport Metro Station.
3. Pay: The easiest way is to tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the turnstile. You can also use ticket machines at the station entrance, which take cash (BGN) and contactless cards, or a staffed kiosk that accepts cash and card.
4. Validate: If you bought a paper ticket, validate it at the turnstile. With a bank card, the tap is your validation.
5. Board: Take the train towards “Obelya” or “Gorna Banya” (M4).
6. Get off: Serdika is the key central stop. It connects to Line 2 (M2) and sits close to major tourist attractions. “Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski'” is another central stop.

For longer stays, consider a Sofia City Card, an electronic transport card you buy at a kiosk and load with journeys or a daily or multi-day pass. For general transport information, see urbanmobility.bg. For metro-specific details, see metrosofia.com.

The downsides are real. Trains can be crowded at peak hours, and luggage space is limited. The metro also stops around midnight, so it does not suit very late arrivals.

Official Airport Taxis: How the Voucher System Works

The official taxi company at Sofia Airport is OK Supertrans (О’Кей Супертранс). Look for the “Taxi” signs and the OK Supertrans kiosk inside the terminal, at both T1 and T2. The system is simple and protects you from unofficial drivers who approach tourists in the hall.

1. After customs, find the OK Supertrans kiosk.
2. Tell the attendant your destination address. They print a voucher with a taxi number and an estimated fare.
3. Take the voucher to the OK Supertrans stand outside the terminal.
4. Show the voucher to the driver of the matching taxi number.
5. Pay at the end of the ride. Most official taxis accept cards, but confirm before you set off.

Expect 28-38 BGN (about 14.32-19.45 EUR) by day and 35-45 BGN (about 17.90-23.01 EUR) at night, including a small airport fee. Fares are metered. The day rate (06:00-22:00) is roughly 1.20-1.40 BGN per km, and the night rate (22:00-06:00) is roughly 1.40-1.60 BGN per km. The initial fee is about 0.90-1.20 BGN, and waiting costs about 0.30 BGN per minute. The company’s website is ok taxis.net, so check it for current information.

The trade-offs are cost and queues. You may wait during peak arrival times. A taxi is still the most comfortable choice if you arrive late at night or carry heavy bags.

Taxi Apps: Bolt, Yellow! and InDriver

Three apps work well here. Bolt is the international one. Yellow! is local and also runs traditional taxis. InDriver is a bidding app where you propose a price to the driver. Fares to the center are estimated at 22-32 BGN (about 11.25-16.36 EUR), which is often a little below the official taxi.

1. Download your app before you travel, or use the airport Wi-Fi.
2. Register and add a credit or debit card.
3. Enter your exact destination. The app handles the language barrier for you.
4. Confirm your pickup point. The app usually detects whether you are at T1 or T2.
5. Review the estimated fare and request the ride.
6. Check the driver’s name, car model, and plate number, then walk to the pickup point.
7. Payment normally happens in the app. Cash may also be possible.

The main risk is surge pricing. In bad weather or at peak demand, the fare can rise a lot. Pickup points can also be less obvious than the official taxi stand, so read the in-app instructions carefully.

The Public Bus: Lines 84 and 184

Bus lines 84 and 184 serve both terminals. They are the cheapest way in, but also the slowest. The journey takes 40-60 minutes depending on traffic and your destination, and you may need a transfer. Buses run about every 15-20 minutes in the daytime, from roughly 05:00 to 23:00. Frequency drops at night and on weekends.

Follow the “Автобус” signs outside the terminal. You can pay by tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard on the validator inside the bus. Alternatively, buy a ticket at a kiosk or a stop machine, and validate it immediately after boarding. The fare is 1.80 BGN (about 0.92 EUR). A daily pass for all public transport costs 6.00 BGN (about 3.07 EUR) and is valid for 24 hours from first validation.

With a big suitcase on a rush-hour bus, you will feel every stop. If you land at T2, the metro is almost always the better choice for the same price.

Private Transfers and Car Rental

Private transfer. A driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you door to door in a private vehicle. The price is fixed in advance, and there is plenty of luggage space. Companies such as Around Bulgaria and Sofia Airport Transfer offer this service, and your hotel can arrange it too. Expect 45-75 BGN (about 23.01-38.35 EUR) for a standard car. Larger vehicles or luxury options cost more. You usually pay online in advance, or by cash or card to the driver. It is the most expensive choice but also the least stressful for groups.

Car rental. Desks for Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Sixt, Europcar, and local providers are in the arrivals halls of both terminals. Rates start from 50 BGN (about 25.59 EUR) per day for an economy car and vary a lot by season, booking time, and duration. You also pay for fuel, insurance, and any extra-driver fees. A major credit card is required for the deposit.

Renting only makes sense if you plan to leave Sofia. Inside the city, traffic can be heavy at rush hour and parking is a real problem. Central “Blue Zone” parking costs about 2-3 BGN per hour, and “Green Zone” parking about 1-2 BGN per hour.

Reaching the Central Railway Station

There is no direct railway connection from Sofia Airport. If you are heading onwards by BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways), you will go through the city first. Take Metro Line 4 from T2, change at Serdika to Line 2 (M2), and get off at the Central Railway Station stop (Централна железопътна гара). The whole trip takes about 35-45 minutes. Train schedules and tickets are on bdz.bg.

2026 Budget Reality

These are estimated 2026 prices for one person, one way, into the center.

• Budget: Metro or bus at 1.80 BGN (about 0.92 EUR). A 10-trip pass on the Sofia City Card costs 12.00 BGN (about 6.14 EUR), and a daily pass costs 6.00 BGN (about 3.07 EUR).
• Mid-range: A taxi app at 22-32 BGN (about 11.25-16.36 EUR) or an official taxi at 28-38 BGN (about 14.32-19.45 EUR) by day.
• Comfortable: A night taxi at 35-45 BGN (about 17.90-23.01 EUR) or a pre-booked private transfer at 45-75 BGN (about 23.01-38.35 EUR).

A taxi ride shared between two or three people can cost less per head than you expect. Split between three travelers, an official taxi costs roughly the same as a few metro tickets once you add the shuttle, the luggage hassle, and the late hour.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Contactless payment is now standard. Since late 2024 or early 2025, you can tap a Visa or Mastercard bank card at metro turnstiles and on bus validators for a single journey fare. Tourists no longer need a separate ticket.
• Small fare rises. Expect slight inflation-driven increases on metro, bus, and taxi prices compared with 2024.
• More card acceptance in taxis. More official taxi drivers now take cards reliably.
• Taxi apps keep growing. More drivers have joined, and designated pickup zones for ride-sharing are likely better organized.
• Car rental is stable, with more digital check-in options available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Heading for the metro at Terminal 1. There is no station there. Take the free shuttle to T2 first, and allow for the 15-20 minute wait.
• Accepting a ride from an unofficial driver. Use the OK Supertrans kiosk and voucher, or a taxi app, to avoid scams.
• Ignoring surge pricing. Check the fare in your app before confirming, especially in rain or at peak hours.
• Relying on the metro for a late arrival. It runs only until about 24:00. After that, choose a taxi, app, or pre-booked transfer.
• Forgetting to validate a paper ticket. Validate it at the turnstile or immediately on the bus. Card tappers are safe, because the tap validates.
• Renting a car just for the city. Sofia’s traffic and parking costs can outweigh the convenience.
• Arriving with no data or app. Install Bolt, Yellow!, or InDriver before landing, or use the airport Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The metro and the public bus both cost 1.80 BGN (about 0.92 EUR) for a single journey in 2026 estimates. The metro is faster, at 25-30 minutes to Serdika, while the bus takes 40-60 minutes. For most travelers, the metro from Terminal 2 is the best value.

Does Sofia Airport have a train connection?

No. There is no direct railway connection from Sofia Airport. To reach the Central Railway Station, take Metro Line 4 from Terminal 2, change at Serdika to Line 2, and get off at Central Railway Station. The trip takes about 35-45 minutes. BDZ tickets are on bdz.bg.

Can I pay for the metro with a contactless bank card?

Yes. Since late 2024 or early 2025, you can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the metro turnstile for a single journey fare. The same works on buses through the validators. Tourists do not need to find a ticket machine or kiosk before travelling.

How do I get from Terminal 1 to the metro?

Terminal 1 has no metro station. Exit T1, find the free airport shuttle bus stop, and ride to Terminal 2. The shuttle runs about every 15-20 minutes. From T2, follow the “Метро” signs to the Sofia Airport Metro Station.

How much is a taxi from Sofia Airport to the city center?

An official OK Supertrans taxi costs an estimated 28-38 BGN (about 14.32-19.45 EUR) by day and 35-45 BGN (about 17.90-23.01 EUR) at night. Taxi apps such as Bolt run an estimated 22-32 BGN (about 11.25-16.36 EUR), but surge pricing can raise that.

---

📷 Featured image by Fredrik Öhlander on Unsplash.