How to Get Around Sofia: Information, Costs, and Tips

Sofia, a lively capital of Bulgaria, is truly regarded as the economic, tourist, and historical-cultural hub of the entire nation. Divided into 24 neighborhoods, although it is a large city, its center is quite small compared to other European capitals, making it easily walkable.

Now, let's take a closer look at transportation and mobility. Here's a guide on how to get around Sofia: information, costs, and tips!

Sofia is a large city, but its center can be comfortably visited on foot, especially in the summer and late spring. However, Cyrillic signs may be disorienting, so it is advisable to take a guided walking tour first for an introduction to the center, allowing you to locate landmarks while learning history and anecdotes about the city and main attractions. An audioguide version is also available, but with a live guide, you can ask for advice on your stay.

In winter, due to low temperatures, it is preferable to use public transportation, especially for long distances. Among all, we recommend the subway as it is modern, efficient, and, importantly, has stops indicated in English. Arriving at Terminal 2, take subway line 4 (yellow) to reach the city center (stop Serdika). Exiting Terminal 2 to the left, the subway is well signposted. You can enter the turnstiles with a credit card without buying a ticket. If you're staying for a few days, the Sofia City Card is convenient as it allows you to travel on all public transport and enjoy discounts in some commercial activities (available at metro stations). You can also purchase subscriptions specifically for public transport: the 10-ride card, an electronic ticket that allows 10 rides on the subway; or the daily ticket valid for all modes of transport for 24 hours from the first validation.

The option of driving is discouraged: this is particularly due to most signs being in Cyrillic, and unless you can read them, you may have considerable difficulties.

The Sofia International Airport (SOF) is located just a few kilometers west of the capital and consists of two terminals. The second terminal, more recently built, accommodates flights from traditional airlines; Terminal 1 is dedicated to low-cost flights and underwent a total renovation, reopening in 2000. The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle service called "Shuttle Bus".

The airport, in turn, is well connected to the city: there aren't many, but the options are convenient and efficient. From Terminal 2 you can take subway line 4 (yellow) to reach the city center (Serdika stop). Exiting Terminal 2 to the left, the subway is well signposted. You can enter the turnstiles with a credit card without purchasing a ticket. Buses line 84 or 384 (the latter is the less convenient option as it leads to the residential area "Druzhba 2" on the outskirts). Numerous and inexpensive taxis are available, while if you have a lot of luggage or arrive at inconvenient times, we advise you to book online before departure for your transfer directly to the hotel (from €6.00 per person).

The center of Sofia is a true treasure trove of tourist attractions, including historical-cultural, religious, and recreational areas, as well as shopping opportunities. This concentration of various wonders to see in a relatively "small" area allows tourists to explore the heart of the capital comfortably on foot, perhaps using applications on their smartphones to aid navigation due to the partial incomprehensibility of road signs because of the local language.

To address the language barrier that may disorient you, it's advisable to take a guided walking tour first, to explore every corner of the historic center, identify landmarks, and simultaneously learn history and anecdotes about the city and main attractions! An audioguide version is also available, but with a live guide, you can ask for recommendations for the remainder of your stay.

For medium to long distances and in winter when temperatures are too cold, the range of public transportation options available is quite broad. Among all, we recommend the subway, as it is modern and efficient, and importantly, has stops indicated in English. Other modes, trams and buses, are older and primarily have signs in Cyrillic.

It is very convenient to purchase subscriptions for public transport that allow you to use the mode of your choice with a single card. The daily ticket costs 4.00 BGN (€2.00) and allows unlimited travel on all city transportation within 24 hours from the first validation. The same applies to the 3-day subscription, costing 15.00 BGN (€7.66).

The Sofia metro is state-of-the-art and driverless. Spanning just over 30 km, it is the first railway transport network in the entire nation. It was inaugurated in 1998 and currently serves 27 stations. There are two lines, M1 (red) and M2 (blue). During rush hours, trains run every 4 minutes.

A single ride ticket on the metro costs 1.60 BGN (€0.82) and is valid for 30 minutes after validation. Tickets can be purchased at automatic machines at the entrances of stations. For convenience and to avoid wasting time, the Sofia City Card is convenient, allowing unlimited use of all public transport, plus some discounts in partner stores and museum admissions (valid for 3 days, 20.00 BGN, €10.21). Alternatively, a daily integrated ticket for all modes of transportation is also convenient.

With its 15 lines and 155 km of track, Sofia boasts one of the longest tram networks in Europe. The only downside? Perhaps the noise from the rather "aged" vehicles compared to the modern subway, but the charm is certainly unmatched.

Tickets can be purchased at kiosks, automatic machines, or on board, but only in cash. Be careful not to be found without a ticket: the fines can be quite steep.

Only one line, but numerous vehicles (93, to be precise), comprise the bus network in lovely Sofia. As with the tram, the same recommendations apply regarding ticket acquisition and fines if you are found without one: you can purchase them at kiosks, automatic machines, or on board, but only in cash.

Another detail to remember is that if you are traveling with luggage larger than 60x40x40 cm, you must obtain a second ticket for your luggage when using public transport.

In operation since 1941, the system currently includes nine routes over a 257 km network configuration, of which 193 km are currently in use. Nine vehicles for a single line, the trolleybuses in Sofia may be few, but they adequately serve the entire urban area.

Travel regulations, prices, and penalties are the same as those for trams and buses: you can purchase tickets at kiosks, automatic machines, or on board, but only in cash, with the single ride ticket priced at 1.60 BGN (€0.80).

After the subway, taxis are the most popular means to get around Sofia. They are essential if moving at night. It is best to use one of the fastest and most efficient taxi services in Bulgaria: the main Radio Taxi companies are OK SUPERTRANS and RADIO CB TAXI.

Avoid other companies, which may not only recreate the logo printed on their vehicles but also their own meters. Remember that drivers are required to deliver a receipt to the customer with the corresponding amount.

Given that Sofia is easily navigable on foot since the attractions in the center are concentrated, and the subway is very convenient, if for any reason you need to drive in the city, you will find heavy but not chaotic traffic (always keep in mind that this is a capital) as it is channeled through modern multi-lane roads.

The first obstacle to overcome is Cyrillic. Road signs are indeed written in Cyrillic alphabet. Before you set off, it is highly recommended to learn at least to decipher the Cyrillic characters into the Latin alphabet to assist you in translation, even if just intuitively. There are no particular restrictions in excess areas, at least for normal vehicles. However, be well aware of the strict parking system.

For normal vehicles there are no special access and circulation limits. According to Urban Access Regulations in Europe, vehicles over 4 tons and buses over 22 seats may not enter the center of Sofia. This rule applies every day from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. In the so-called Zone 1 of Sofia, no access is allowed for vehicles over 1.5 tons from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. More details are available on the official website.

Parking is payable from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM; on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and only in the blue zones. In the city center, there are also many attended parking lots, both municipal and private. They usually cost between 2.00-3.00 BGN/hour (€1.00-1.50). Convenient parking is also available near some metro stations where the P+R, Park & Ride system is in operation, where your metro ticket is valid also for parking.