Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Also known as: Sofia Airport, Sofia International Airport, SOF Airport.
Private transfer from SOFSee pricesSee pricesAbout Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (SOF) is the international airport of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Bulgaria Air is based here, and Ryanair and Wizz Air run the largest networks, with routes across Europe to cities such as London, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Berlin and Warsaw. Full-service airlines connect Sofia with hubs including Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Istanbul and Dubai.
The airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 2, the larger building, handles Bulgaria Air, Ryanair and most full-service airlines, while Terminal 1 serves Wizz Air, easyJet and several other low-cost and charter carriers. A free shuttle bus links the two. Since 2021 the airport has been run by SOF Connect under a 35-year concession.
The airport lies about 10 km east of central Sofia. Metro Line 4 starts at a station next to Terminal 2 and reaches the city center in about 20 minutes, and city bus 84 stops at both terminals.
From the airport, travelers head into central Sofia and on to the mountain resorts of Borovets, about 69 km away by road, and Bansko, about 160 km away.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
SOF Connect, under a 35-year concession since 2021
- Passengers per year
About 8.4 million in 2025
- Runways
One runway, 3,600 m long
- Main airline
Bulgaria Air
- Location
About 10 km east of central Sofia
Arrival tips for Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Bulgaria has been fully part of Schengen since 1 January 2025, so flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks; for other arrivals, non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026, and the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation.
After passport control, collect your bags in the reclaim hall of your terminal and pass through customs into the public arrivals area. Note which terminal you landed at, since Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate buildings.
Pre-booked drivers wait in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Yellow! is the official airport taxi: order at its desk, use the marked rank outside, and ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal. For the metro, walk from Terminal 2 to the station beside it, or take the free shuttle bus there from Terminal 1.
Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026. Sofia is on Eastern European Time (UTC+2), moving to UTC+3 in summer.
Ground transportation
The metro from Terminal 2 suits light travelers heading to central Sofia, while a taxi or transfer works better with luggage or from Terminal 1.
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Book a transfer from SOFMetro Line 4 to the city center
The Sofia Airport metro station sits next to Terminal 2, and trains run from about 05:30 to midnight, reaching the center in about 20 minutes. From Terminal 1 you first need the free shuttle bus.
Bus 84
City bus 84 stops at both terminals and runs to central Sofia. It is slower than the metro, especially at peak times, but useful for early or late arrivals.
Taxi from Sofia airport
Yellow! is the official airport taxi operator, with ranks outside both arrival halls. Book at the official desk or the marked rank, check the meter, and ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Private transfer
Drivers meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. It is the simplest option for the ski resorts of Borovets, about 1¼ to 1½ hours away, or Bansko, about 2 to 2½ hours away, but needs booking in advance.
Car rental
Several car rental companies have desks at the airport, and both terminals have parking. Driving suits trips beyond Sofia, such as to Borovets or Bansko, but it adds the cost and effort of parking in the city.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Free shuttle bus
A free shuttle runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 from 05:00 to 23:00 and connects with the metro at Terminal 2.
- 2
City bus 84
Bus 84 stops at both terminals, so it can also be used to move between them.
- 3
Taxi
Official taxis wait outside both arrival halls and can make the short drive between the terminals.
Terminals
Terminal 1
The older, single-level terminal, used for low-cost and charter flights. Boarding is by bus, as there are no air bridges.
Airlines commonly assigned here: airBaltic, easyJet, Norwegian, Pegasus Airlines, Wizz Air
Terminal 2
Opened in 2006, it handles most of the airport's traffic, including the national carrier and full-service airlines. The Metro Line 4 station is beside it.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Bulgaria Air, flydubai, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Swiss, TAROM, Turkish Airlines
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sofia Airport from the city center?
Vasil Levski Sofia Airport is about 10 km east of central Sofia. Metro Line 4 runs from the station beside Terminal 2 and reaches the center in about 20 minutes. Taxis and city bus 84 serve both terminals, though road travel takes longer at peak times. From Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 for the metro.
Is Sofia Airport in the city?
Yes. The airport is within Sofia, about 10 km east of the city center, and is connected to the city's metro network. Metro Line 4 starts next to Terminal 2, and city bus 84 links both terminals with the center. Official Yellow! taxis wait outside both arrival halls, and pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals area.
How many terminals does Sofia Airport have?
Sofia Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 2, opened in 2006, handles most traffic, including Bulgaria Air, Ryanair and full-service airlines, and has the metro station beside it. Terminal 1 is an older single-level building used by several low-cost and charter carriers. A free shuttle bus runs between the two from 05:00 to 23:00.
Which terminal do Wizz Air and Ryanair use at Sofia Airport?
Ryanair uses Terminal 2, along with Bulgaria Air, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and other full-service airlines. Wizz Air and easyJet use Terminal 1, as do several other low-cost and charter carriers. Terminal allocations can change, so check your booking or the airport's flight information before you travel or arrange a pickup.
Is there an official taxi at Sofia Airport?
Yes. Yellow! is the official airport taxi operator, with desks inside the terminals and ranks outside both arrival halls. Order at the desk or use the marked rank, and check that the meter is running. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal offering rides, as they are not part of the official service.
How do I take the metro from Sofia Airport?
The Sofia Airport metro station is next to Terminal 2 and is the terminus of Metro Line 4. Trains run from about 05:30 to midnight and reach the city center in about 20 minutes, with connections to the other metro lines. If you land at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 first.
Can I use Uber or Bolt at Sofia Airport?
Uber has not operated in Bulgaria since 2015, and Bolt does not offer car rides in Sofia. Local apps such as TaxiMe, Yellow and OK Taxi dispatch licensed, metered taxis instead. At the airport, the simplest choice is the official Yellow! desk or rank, the metro from Terminal 2, or a pre-arranged transfer.
What entry rules apply when flying into Sofia?
Bulgaria has been fully part of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2025, so flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation. Check visa rules for your nationality before travel.
How do I get from Sofia Airport to Bansko or Borovets?
Borovets is about 69 km from the airport by road, roughly 1¼ to 1½ hours in good conditions. Bansko is about 160 km away, roughly 2 to 2½ hours. Times assume good driving conditions. A pre-arranged transfer or a rental car from the desks at the airport are the usual ways to make the trip, especially with ski equipment.
What currency and time zone does Bulgaria use?
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, replacing the Bulgarian lev, so prices and payments are in euros. Sofia is on Eastern European Time (UTC+2) and switches to UTC+3 with daylight saving from late March to late October. ATMs are available in the arrivals areas of the airport.
Who operates Sofia Airport and how busy is it?
Sofia Airport is run by SOF Connect, a consortium led by Meridiam, under a 35-year concession that began in 2021, with Munich Airport International running operations. The airport handled about 8.4 million passengers in 2025, passing 8 million in a year for the first time. Bulgaria Air is based here, and Ryanair and Wizz Air have bases.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Sofia Airport?
A free shuttle bus runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 from 05:00 to 23:00 and connects with the metro station at Terminal 2. City bus 84 also stops at both terminals, and official taxis wait outside both arrival halls. The terminals are separate buildings, so allow extra time if you need to switch between them.