Sofia Airport (SOF)

Upon landing at Sofia Airport, passengers navigate passport control, collect checked luggage, pass through customs, and reach the public arrivals landside area.

• Follow designated overhead signage towards Passport Control after disembarking.
• Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air borders in March 2024; passengers arriving on domestic Schengen flights proceed directly to baggage reclaim without border checks.
• Non-Schengen arrivals must pass through border inspection with a valid passport or national identity card.
• Collect checked baggage from the designated carousels in the baggage reclaim hall.
• Proceed through Customs: choose the Green Channel for goods within standard allowances or the Red Channel if declaring commercial items, excess cash, or restricted goods.
• Exit into the arrivals hall where ground transport, ATMs, and information desks are located.

• Zug

  Metro

  Sofia Metro Line 4 (M4) departs directly from the station attached to Terminal 2. A free shuttle connects Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 for metro access.

  Dauer:

  roughly 20-30 minutes to central Sofia (Serdika Station)

  Typische Kosten:

  typically 1.60 BGN for a single journey

• Bus

  Public Bus

  Bus line 84 and line 184 connect both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to the city centre (Orlov Most / Eagle Bridge area).

  Dauer:

  roughly 35-45 minutes depending on traffic

  Typische Kosten:

  typically 1.60 BGN for a single ticket

• Taxi

  Official Taxi

  Official contracted taxis (OK Supertrans) operate from ranks outside both terminals. Taxis can be booked at official desks inside the arrivals halls.

  Dauer:

  roughly 20-30 minutes to the city centre

  Typische Kosten:

  typically 15-25 BGN depending on destination and traffic

• Mietwagen

  Car Rental

  Desk counters for major international and local car hire agencies are available in the arrivals halls of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

  Dauer:

  roughly 20-30 minutes to central Sofia

  Typische Kosten:

  varies by vehicle type, agency, and rental period

Transferring between flights at Sofia Airport depends on your terminal and Schengen/non-Schengen status.

• Transfers within Terminal 2 between Schengen flights generally follow international transfer corridors without re-clearing security.
• Transfers involving Terminal 1 or non-Schengen connections require exiting landside, collecting baggage if not checked through, and transferring terminals via the free airport shuttle.
• Allow at least 90 to 120 minutes for inter-terminal transfers, especially if luggage collection and re-check-in are required.

Free public Wi-Fi access is available throughout both passenger terminals.

• Select the airport Wi-Fi network (typically named SOF_Free_WiFi or similar) on your device.
• Accept the terms and conditions on the portal page to connect.
• No mobile phone registration or SMS verification is generally required.

Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Banking facilities and ATMs are widely available across the airport.

• ATMs accepting major international cards (Visa, Mastercard) are situated in the arrivals and departures areas of both terminals.
• Currency exchange desks are available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 landside and airside zones.
• Card payments are widely accepted for transport tickets, shops, and food venues, though holding a small amount of cash in BGN is helpful for minor purchases.

Food and beverage options are located in both landside and airside areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

• Terminal 2 offers a broader selection of cafes, quick-service eateries, and snack bars after security.
• Terminal 1 contains basic cafe facilities offering sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and soft drinks.
• Airside options operate in alignment with scheduled flight departures.

Airside business lounges are available in Terminal 2 for eligible passengers and pay-per-use entry.

• Preslav Lounge and Pliska Lounge operate airside in Terminal 2.
• Access is granted to premium class airline passengers, lounge key holders, and passengers paying a walk-in entry fee.
• Services include comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, drinks, Wi-Fi, and flight monitors.

While there is no hotel inside the terminal buildings, several airport hotels are located within a short driving distance.

• Ibis Sofia Airport and Novotel Sofia are located within 1 to 3 kilometres of the terminals.
• Some surrounding hotels provide private shuttle transfers upon request.
• Taxis or metro connections offer quick access to accommodations situated further towards the city centre.

Standard baggage reclaim, lost property, and luggage wrapping services are available inside the airport.

• Baggage reclaim carousels are located immediately past border control in both terminals.
• For lost or damaged luggage, visit the handling agent desk located inside the baggage reclaim area before exiting to landside.
• Luggage wrapping services operate in the departure halls of both terminals prior to security.

Basic facilities for families travelling with young children are located throughout the airport.

• Baby care and nappy-changing rooms are accessible in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
• Terminal 2 features designated children's play areas airside.
• Lifts and accessible ramps connect all floors and passenger transit zones.

• Free Wi-Fi
• ATMs & Currency Exchange
• Metro Station (Terminal 2)
• Taxi Rank
• Car Rental Desks
• Business Lounges
• Baby Care Rooms
• Luggage Wrapping

Lokale Notrufnummer: 112 (National Emergency Number)

• 112 is the universal European emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services in Bulgaria.
• First aid and medical assistance facilities are present on-site at Sofia Airport; contact any uniformed airport staff or information desk for immediate medical aid.
• In case of a lost passport, contact your country's embassy in Sofia and report the loss to the Bulgarian Border Police at the airport.

• Prüfen Sie die Gültigkeit Ihres Reisepasses und ob ein Visum, eine ETA oder eine Einreiseerklärung erforderlich ist.
• Bestätigen Sie am Vortag Ihr Abflugterminal auf Ihrer Bordkarte.
• Aktivieren Sie eine Reise-eSIM, damit Sie sofort nach der Landung online sind.
• Laden Sie Offline-Karten herunter und machen Sie einen Screenshot Ihrer Hoteladresse und Buchungsreferenz.
• Informieren Sie Ihre Bank über Ihre Reise und führen Sie eine Ersatz-Zahlungskarte mit sich.
• Speichern Sie die lokale Notrufnummer und die Kontaktdaten Ihrer Botschaft auf Ihrem Telefon.
• Fotografieren Sie Ihren Reisepass und speichern Sie die Kopie an einem Ort, auf den Sie offline zugreifen können.
• Prüfen Sie die Gepäckbestimmungen und eventuelle eingeschränkte Gegenstände für Ihr Reiseziel.

Der Flughafenbetrieb ändert sich. Bestätigen Sie Terminals, Tarife und Fahrpläne immer mit den unten genannten offiziellen Quellen, bevor Sie reisen.

• Sofia Airport (official)Offizielle Flughafenquelle
• Chief Directorate Border Police - Ministry of Interior BulgariaRegierungsquelle
• National Customs Agency of BulgariaRegierungsquelle
• Metropolitan EAD (Sofia Metro Operator)Offizielle Verkehrsbetriebe
• Bulgarian Ministry of HealthRegierungsquelle