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.

• Train

  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.

  Time:

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

  Typical cost:

  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).

  Time:

  roughly 35-45 minutes depending on traffic

  Typical cost:

  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.

  Time:

  roughly 20-30 minutes to the city centre

  Typical cost:

  typically 15-25 BGN depending on destination and traffic

• Car rental

  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.

  Time:

  roughly 20-30 minutes to central Sofia

  Typical cost:

  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

Local emergency number: 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.

• Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
• Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
• Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
• Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
• Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
• Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
• Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
• Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.

Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.

• Sofia Airport (official)Official airport source
• Chief Directorate Border Police - Ministry of Interior BulgariaGovernment source
• National Customs Agency of BulgariaGovernment source
• Metropolitan EAD (Sofia Metro Operator)Official transit source
• Bulgarian Ministry of HealthGovernment source