Sofia Airport Arrival Guide

Terminal Layout

Sofia Airport has two terminals. Terminal 2 is the main terminal used by most full-service airlines including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Austrian Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines. It was built in 2006, is modern and well-organized, and is connected to the metro. Terminal 2 has the majority of shops, cafes, and services. Terminal 1 is the older, smaller terminal built in the 1980s and used primarily by budget carriers — Wizz Air and Ryanair operate from here. Terminal 1 has fewer amenities and no direct metro connection, but has been renovated with basic food outlets and a duty-free shop. The two terminals are about 800 meters apart — a 10-minute walk along a covered pathway or connected by a free shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes. Always check your airline's terminal before heading to the airport.

Arrival Step by Step

After landing and exiting the aircraft, follow these steps. First, proceed to passport control. EU and Schengen citizens can use the fast-track e-gates or EU lane, typically clearing in 5-10 minutes. Non-EU visitors join the regular passport control line, which usually takes 15-30 minutes depending on the number of arriving flights. Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air borders in March 2024, so passport checks are lighter than before but still in place for non-EU nationals. Check our visa and entry requirements guide for details on whether you need a visa. After passport control, collect your luggage from the carousel — screens display the belt number for each flight. Finally, pass through customs using the standard EU green (nothing to declare) or red channel. The entire process from touchdown to exiting the terminal typically takes 30-50 minutes.

Getting to Sofia City Center

Metro Line 4 / M4 (Recommended)

The metro is the fastest and cheapest way into the city. The station is in Terminal 2 (ground floor, follow the blue "M" signs). If you arrive at Terminal 1, walk or take the shuttle to Terminal 2 to access the metro. A single ticket costs €0.80 and the journey to Serdika station (city center) takes about 25 minutes. Trains run from 5:00 AM to midnight, every 5-10 minutes during the day. From Serdika you can transfer to Line 2 or walk to most central hotels. The metro is also the best way to reach Sofia's main sights without dealing with traffic.

Taxi

Use only the official OK Supertrans taxis (yellow cars) from the designated taxi rank outside arrivals. A ride to the city center costs €7.50-10 and takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal — always use the official rank. The taxi should use its meter; confirm this before departing. You can also pre-book through the TaxiMe or Yellow app. For travel to destinations outside Sofia, see our getting around guide for inter-city transport options.

Bus

City buses 84 and 184 connect the airport to the city, but they are slow, crowded, and difficult with luggage. The metro is a better choice in every respect.

Departure Tips

For departing flights, arrive at least 2 hours before your flight for international destinations and 90 minutes for domestic flights. Terminal 2 has self-service check-in kiosks for most airlines, which can save time during busy morning departures. Security screening is generally quick — 10-20 minutes in most cases — but can build up during peak hours (6-8 AM and early afternoon). After security in Terminal 2, the departure lounge has a reasonable selection of shops, a pharmacy, and several cafes and restaurants. Terminal 1's departure area is more limited — eat before going through security if departing from Terminal 1. Duty-free shops in both terminals sell Bulgarian rose products, local wine, and rakia at reasonable prices.

Airport Lounges

Terminal 2 has the Sofia Air Lounge in the departure area, accessible for around €25-30 or via Priority Pass and some premium credit cards. It offers comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, drinks, light snacks, and a quieter environment than the main terminal. Terminal 1 does not have a lounge facility.

SIM Cards at the Airport

A1 has a kiosk in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall where you can buy a tourist SIM card immediately after landing. Bring your passport for registration. The kiosk is open for most daytime arrivals but may be closed for very late or early flights. If you miss it, A1 and other providers have shops throughout central Sofia. See our detailed SIM cards and internet guide for plan comparisons, eSIM alternatives, and pricing.

Currency Exchange and ATMs

Avoid the currency exchange bureaus in the airport — they charge commissions of 5-10 percent and offer poor rates. Instead, use an ATM (bankomat) in the arrivals hall to withdraw euros at the bank rate. Multiple bank ATMs are available in both terminals. Always decline any "dynamic currency conversion" offered by the ATM and choose to be charged in euros (the local currency) — this ensures your own bank handles the conversion at a better rate. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so if you are arriving from the eurozone you will not need to exchange money at all, and rates elsewhere should be predictable. If you need euros or other currency for onward travel, exchange in the city center where rates are significantly better. For more money-saving tips, see our budget travel guide.

Left Luggage and Storage

Terminal 2 has a left luggage facility on the ground floor near the arrivals exit. Rates are approximately €2.60-5 per item per day depending on bag size. This is useful if you have a late flight and want to explore Sofia before departing — the metro gets you to the city center in 25 minutes, giving you a full day of sightseeing even with an evening flight. There is no left luggage service in Terminal 1.

Overnight Layovers

If you have an overnight layover or very early morning flight, several hotels are within a few minutes of the airport. The Hilton Sofia Airport is directly connected to Terminal 2 by a covered walkway. Budget options like Hotel Maraya and Apartment near Airport are a short taxi ride away. The Terminal 2 departure area is not accessible overnight, so you cannot sleep in the terminal — plan accommodation if your connection requires an overnight stay.

Other Bulgarian Airports

Varna Airport (VAR)

The main airport for the northern Black Sea coast. Seasonal flights from across Europe, especially in summer. Located 8 km from Varna city center. Bus 409 connects to the city (30 minutes, 1 EUR). Taxis to the center cost 8-12 EUR. Gateway to Golden Sands, Albena, and Balchik.

Burgas Airport (BOJ)

Serves the southern Black Sea coast. Busy in summer with charter and low-cost flights. Located 13 km from Burgas city center. Bus 15 connects to the city (30 minutes, 1 EUR). Taxis cost 10-15 EUR. Gateway to Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol, and Pomorie.

For most trips starting in Sofia, the capital's airport is the primary entry point. For beach holidays on the Black Sea, flying into Varna or Burgas is more convenient and sometimes cheaper than Sofia.