Premier Sofia Airport Hotel
Sofia - 11 Briuksel Blvd.
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The Sofia “Vasil Levski” International Airport — IATA code: SOF, ICAO code: LBSF — is Bulgaria’s principal airport and the busiest in the country, handling over 8 million passengers in 2024. Renamed in February 2025 in honour of national hero Vasil Levski, the 19th-century Bulgarian revolutionary who symbolised the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, the airport serves as the main gateway to Bulgaria’s capital and the entire country for travellers from Europe and beyond.
The airport is located approximately 10 km east of Sofia’s city centre, along Boulevard Christopher Columbus, which connects to Tsarigradsko Shose avenue, the main axis running through the city from west to east. It also holds an unusual geographical distinction: at 531 metres above sea level, it is the highest international airport in Europe. From Sofia, the Hemus motorway (A2) heading north-east reaches Varna and the Black Sea coast in approximately four and a half hours, whilst the Trakia motorway (A1) heading east leads to Plovdiv in around two hours. The Rila Monastery, the country’s most visited destination, is approximately one hour and forty-five minutes’ drive to the south-east.
The airport operates two terminals: Terminal 2, modern and well-organised, handles international flights and features shops, cafés, restaurants, bank counters and car rental desks; Terminal 1, older, primarily manages charter flights and some domestic routes. A free shuttle service connects the two terminals around the clock.
Several transport options connect the airport to Sofia’s city centre, catering to all needs and preferences: from fast and frequent metro service to economical city buses, from taxis offering door-to-door convenience to car rental for those planning to explore Bulgaria further afield.
The metro is the fastest and most reliable way to connect the airport to central Sofia. The metro station is located directly in the public area of Terminal 2, clearly signposted with a dotted line on the floor guiding passengers from baggage reclaim to the station entrance. Trains on the Line 2 — the blue line — depart every 15 minutes and reach the central Serdika station, in the heart of the historic centre, in approximately 18 minutes. From Serdika, with a change onto Line 1, you can continue to the main train and bus station in less than half an hour from your arrival gate.
Those arriving at Terminal 1 must first reach Terminal 2 via the free shuttle before using the metro. Single tickets are inexpensive and purchased from automatic machines at the station; daily and multi-day passes are also available for frequent users of public transport during their Sofia stay. The metro operates from dawn to around midnight: for arrivals during night hours, you’ll need to use taxis or private transfers.
Bus lines 84 and 184 connect the airport to Sofia’s city centre, following a route along Tsarigradsko Shose avenue to Gen. Gurko Street, just near the central Sveta Nedelya Square. Both lines serve Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 with intermediate stops in the university quarter and other key locations around the city. Journey times are approximately 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and time of day, with varying frequencies throughout the day.
The bus is the most economical option available, with the same ticket valid on the metro. It’s a practical choice for light travellers during daytime hours, though less ideal during rush hours when city traffic can significantly extend journey times. Note that the city-centre terminus doesn’t always align with the heart of the tourist zone: you may need to continue by a second transport or on foot to reach your accommodation.
Taxis are available immediately at the exit of both terminals, with clearly marked and well-organised taxi ranks. The journey from the airport to the historic centre takes approximately 15–20 minutes under normal traffic conditions, though times can extend during morning and evening rush hours on weekdays. It’s important to use only authorised taxi companies with certified meters, identifiable by tariff information displayed on the windscreen or door: always check the per-kilometre rate before boarding. Drivers approaching you inside the terminal offering fixed-price rides should generally be avoided.
Leading taxi apps operating in Sofia — such as OK Supertrans and Yellow Taxi — allow you to book in advance with a transparent estimated fare, eliminating the risk of inflated charges. For maximum convenience, numerous agencies offer private transfers bookable online in advance: the driver will await you at the exit with a nameplate and prices are agreed beforehand.
An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Sofia Airport airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.
It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Sofia Airport airport visit this site.
Car hire is available directly in the airport terminals through major international operators: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise and Thrifty all have desks in the arrivals area of Terminal 2. This is ideal if you’re planning to explore Bulgaria beyond Sofia: from here you can easily reach the Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, the medieval towns of Thrace and the ski resorts of Borovets and Bansko without relying on public transport.
The Hemus motorway (A2) departs from Sofia’s eastern ring road and leads directly towards Varna and the Black Sea coast; the Trakia motorway (A1) connects Sofia with Plovdiv and the southern Black Sea. From the airport car park, access to these main routes is straightforward and well signposted. Driving in Bulgaria follows the same rules as the European Highway Code and the drink-drive limit is zero: no alcohol is permitted when driving.
To rent a car in Bulgaria we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.
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