Sofia Airport to City Centre: Metro, Bus and Taxi

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Getting from Sofia Airport to the city centre is easiest by metro, but public transport is not the best choice for every arrival time. During the day, the M4 metro line is usually the most convenient option: the station is next to Terminal 2, a ticket costs €0.80, and the journey to Serdika, a station in central Sofia, takes around 20 minutes. Bus 84 is convenient for passengers arriving at Terminal 1 and costs the same. At night, when the metro is no longer running, night bus 4 connects both terminals with central Sofia.

A taxi is the most practical option if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling with children or arrive late. Yellow! is the airport’s official taxi partner, and taxi fares in Sofia are regulated by the municipality. This guide covers the main ways to get from Sofia Airport to the city centre, 2026 prices, the locations of stops and metro stations, the differences between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and the return journey from the city to the airport.

Getting from Sofia Airport to the city centre: a comparison

Sofia Airport is about 10 km from the city centre. The main transport options for travellers are the metro, bus and taxi. The best choice depends mainly on your terminal, arrival time and how much luggage you have. If your flight arrives at Terminal 2 during the day, the metro usually offers the best combination of price, speed and reliability. From Terminal 1, bus 84 lets you travel into the city without first going to the other terminal.

For most independent travellers, the choice is straightforward: take the metro during the day if you do not have heavy luggage; use bus 84 if you arrive at Terminal 1 and would rather not travel to the metro station; or take night bus 4 or an official taxi after midnight. A taxi is also a better option if your hotel is far from a metro station or would require several changes.

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Metro from Sofia Airport

The metro is the main public transport link between the airport and central Sofia. Sofia Airport station is the terminus of line M4 and is located right next to Terminal 2. Inside the public area of the terminal, follow the blue markings on the floor. From the station, you can travel directly towards the city centre and change to other metro lines if needed.

The journey to Serdika station takes around 20 minutes. You will need to change trains to reach the Central Railway Station or Central Bus Station. The metro is also convenient if you are staying near other M4 or M1 stations: after changing lines, you can continue to almost any part of Sofia.

In 2026, a single ticket costs €0.80. The 30 Plus ticket costs the same and allows transfers within the first 30 minutes after validation. If you pay for your journeys with the same bank card, the system automatically caps your daily spending at €2 after more than two 30 Plus journeys in a day.

Exact departure times depend on the season and day of the week. The metro’s official timetable lists M4 services running until midnight. If you have a very early flight or arrive late at night, pay attention to the first and last trains rather than relying only on the usual service intervals.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: which one has the metro?

Sofia Airport has two passenger terminals, and you do not need to walk along the road to get between them. The metro station is located only at Terminal 2. If your flight arrives at Terminal 1, you will need to get to Terminal 2 to use the metro, or take a bus that goes directly into the city.

A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals around the clock. From 08:00 to 20:00, buses depart every 30 minutes; from 20:00 to 08:00, they run every 40 minutes. The stops are directly outside the terminal buildings and are clearly signposted.

If you plan to take the metro from Sofia Airport, check the terminal number on your ticket in advance. This is particularly important for late arrivals: the shuttle continues to operate at night, but you may have to wait up to 40 minutes.

Bus from Sofia Airport to the city centre

Bus 84 connects the airport with central Sofia and serves both terminals. The route passes through the airport area and follows Tsarigradsko Shose Boulevard towards General Gurko Street. This is a convenient point in the city for changing to other public transport or continuing on foot to the main tourist districts.

The route operates during the day. On weekdays, buses run approximately every 12 minutes. The journey takes around 45 minutes on weekdays and about 35 minutes at weekends, depending on traffic. Bus 84 is a cheaper alternative to a taxi, but it is not usually the fastest way to reach the city centre.

As of 2026, a public transport journey in Sofia costs €0.80. You can tap your bank card on the validator inside the bus. When you use the same card for several journeys, the system applies the €2 daily cap.

On the Sofia Traffic website, you can use the Routes section to plan a bus journey from the airport. It is best to enter stop names in Bulgarian. For the terminals, use “Аерогарата бл. 1” and “Аерогарата бл. 2“.

Sofia Airport at night: night bus 4

If your flight arrives after the metro has closed, there is a night bus service between the airport and the city. Route 4 connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with central Sofia. It is the cheapest way to get into the city after the metro stops running.

A separate night transport ticket costs €1. A 24-hour pass costs €3, while a 72-hour pass costs €7.60. Both passes include night services. The €0.80 30 Plus ticket belongs to the regular short-journey fare system and does not replace the special night transport ticket.

When arriving at night, consider not only the fare but also the location of your hotel. If your accommodation is near a stop on bus 4, you can save considerably by taking the bus. If you still have to walk through an unfamiliar neighbourhood with suitcases, a taxi is the more convenient option.

Taxi from Sofia Airport

A taxi is a good choice if you want to go directly to your hotel. Yellow! is the airport’s official taxi partner, with offices in the arrivals areas of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Use the operator’s official desk rather than accepting offers from drivers who approach passengers near the terminal exit.

Since 1 January 2026, Sofia has had municipal minimum and maximum taxi fares per kilometre. The daytime rate ranges from €0.75 to €1.46 per km, while the night rate ranges from €0.85 to €1.66 per km. The daytime rate applies from 06:00 to 22:00, and the night rate from 22:00 to 06:00.

For a journey from the airport to central Sofia, budget €10-15 and allow around 25 minutes. The final fare depends on your destination, traffic and the rate charged.

• Look for the official Yellow! desk in the arrivals area.
• Check the fare displayed on the sticker inside the car before setting off.
• Do not accept a ride from drivers who approach you inside the terminal and offer their services unsolicited.
• For a family or group, the price difference between a taxi and public transport becomes less significant.

Public transport tickets and prices

In 2026, Sofia switched to the euro. A standard journey costs €0.80. The 30 Plus ticket costs the same and allows transfers within 30 minutes of the first validation. The 60 Plus ticket costs €1.10 and allows transfers within 60 minutes. If you plan to make several journeys during the day, a day pass costs €2, while a 24-hour pass that includes night services costs €3.

Paying by bank card is especially convenient for your first journey from the airport. On buses, tap your card on the blue validator; in the metro, use the validator at the entrance.

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Getting from central Sofia to the airport

The return journey is almost the reverse of the trip into the city. To reach Terminal 2, take metro line M4 to its final station, Sofia Airport. If you are staying near Serdika, you do not need to change trains: the airport is on the same line. To reach Terminal 1, take the free shuttle after arriving at Terminal 2. For an early-morning flight, pay particular attention to the first train, as the metro does not operate throughout the night.

Bus 84 also connects the city centre with the airport and serves both terminals. For a night flight after the metro has closed, bus 4 is an option if its timetable matches your departure time.

If your flight leaves early in the morning and you do not want to rely on public transport intervals, a taxi offers a simpler door-to-door journey from your hotel to the airport. Specify your terminal when booking, especially if your airline uses a particular terminal for check-in.

Before flying, remember to check the luggage and hand baggage rules.

Which should you choose: metro, bus or taxi?

Here is a quick summary of which transport option works best:

Metro is the best choice for most passengers arriving at Terminal 2 during the day. It costs €0.80, takes around 20 minutes to reach Serdika and avoids road traffic. The main drawback is that the station is located only at Terminal 2.

Bus 84 is convenient if you arrive at Terminal 1 or are staying near one of its stops. It is cheaper than a taxi, but the journey to the centre takes longer and depends on traffic. For travellers with light luggage, it is a reasonable alternative to the metro.

Night bus 4 is worth considering if you arrive at night. It serves both terminals and continues to connect the airport with the city after the metro closes.

Taxi makes sense if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling with children, arrive late or are staying far from metro stations and night bus routes. Public transport is considerably cheaper for one person, but the price difference becomes less significant for two or three passengers travelling together.

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