Sofia Airport (SOF) sits about 10 km east of the city centre. Getting in is quick and cheap if you know your options — and can be slow or overpriced if you don't. Here is how each choice actually works in 2026.
Quick comparison
| Option | Time to centre | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (line M4) | ~20 min | ~€1.10 flat | Light luggage, solo/couple, Terminal 2 |
| Official taxi (OK Supertrans) | 20 – 30 min | ~€8 – 12 | 1 – 3 people, booked at the desk inside |
| Private transfer | 20 – 30 min | Fixed, on request | Groups, families, luggage, night arrivals |
| Bus 84 / 384 | 40 – 60 min | ~€0.90 | Budget, very light luggage |
Metro — line M4
The metro is the fastest cheap option. Line M4 runs from Terminal 2 into the centre (Serdika station) in about 20 minutes for a single low flat fare, roughly every 15 – 30 minutes depending on the time of day. Buy a ticket from the machine or counter before boarding.
The catch: Terminal 1, used by most low-cost flights, has no metro station. A free inter-terminal shuttle connects T1 and T2, but with luggage, after a late flight, that extra leg is a hassle. The metro is also less appealing if you have two large suitcases each or you're travelling with small children.
Taxis — and the airport scam
Sofia's regulated taxi tariff is genuinely cheap, so a fair fare to the centre is only a few euros. The problem is a long-standing one: some drivers waiting outside arrivals use tampered meters or quote inflated flat prices to arriving tourists.
To avoid it: use the OK Supertrans desk inside the terminal (near the exit) to order a taxi at the official rate, and check that the price per kilometre displayed on the car's window sticker is around 1 lev, not 4 – 5. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal offering a "taxi".
Private transfer
A pre-booked transfer removes the guesswork entirely. The driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with the luggage and drives you straight to the hotel or apartment. The price is agreed before you land and is per vehicle, so a family or a group of colleagues who would otherwise need two taxis often pay less overall.
It's the natural choice for late-night landings, groups, anyone with bulky luggage or ski gear, and business travellers who want an invoice. A 9-seat van covers up to 8 passengers.
Public bus
Bus 84 (and night bus N1) connects the airport to the centre for the standard city fare of under one euro. It is the cheapest option but also the slowest — 40 to 60 minutes with stops — and there is very little luggage space. Fine if you're travelling extremely light and counting every lev.
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2
Sofia Airport has two terminals about 3 km apart, linked by a free shuttle bus roughly every 30 minutes:
- Terminal 2 — most scheduled airlines, the metro station, more taxi and car-hire desks.
- Terminal 1 — mainly Wizz Air, Ryanair and other low-cost carriers. No metro; taxis and pre-booked transfers pick up here directly.
When you book a transfer, give the flight number so the driver meets you at the right terminal.
Bottom line
- Solo or couple, light bags, Terminal 2: take the metro.
- 1 – 3 people, some luggage: official taxi from the OK Supertrans desk.
- Family, group, lots of luggage, or a late flight: pre-booked private transfer.
- Shoestring budget, minimal luggage: bus 84.
Private transfer from Sofia Airport
Meet & greet with a name board, a fixed price agreed before you land, and one vehicle for the whole group and its luggage.
See the airport transfer WhatsApp