Sofia Airport Transfer Guide (2026) - All Options & Tips
Airport transfers in Sofia: taxi, bus, train, and shuttle options from the airport to the city center, with costs and journey times in Bulgaria.
Helpful Tips
Grab a rechargeable Sofia Urban Mobility Card at any metro station. It covers metro, buses, trams. One card, three networks. Tap and go. No fumbling for coins.
Download the free Sofia Public Transport app. Point your phone at the QR codes on bus or tram stops. Live arrivals pop up instantly. No guesswork.
Ride Metro Line 1 straight from Sofia Airport to Serdika station in the city center. It costs roughly half the price of a taxi. Fast, clean, direct.
Validate your ticket the second you step onto buses or trams. Roaming inspectors hand out a 20 lev fine on the spot. Simple rule. Avoid the sting.
Common Scams to Avoid
Unlicensed taxis at the terminal exits quote inflated flat fares to the city center instead of using the meter. Insist on the official taxi queue and verify the car displays a yellow "TAXI" rooftop sign plus the operator's phone number.
Drivers of metered taxis switch to the higher night or out-of-town tariff as soon as they leave the airport. Watch the meter display and politely ask the driver to return to the standard daytime rate if you see "Тарифа 2" or "Тарифа 3" during daytime.
Currency-exchange kiosks inside the arrivals hall advertise "0% commission" but bury a poor exchange rate in the fine print. Compare the offered rate against the mid-market rate on your phone and walk to a bank ATM or downtown bureau if the margin is excessive.