Sofia Airport Transfer Guide: Real Prices & How to Avoid Getting Overcharged
Just landed in Sofia? Before you take the first taxi you see, here is every way from Sofia Airport to the city (metro, bus, licensed taxi, transfer) with real 2026 prices.
Just landed in Sofia, and drivers are already offering you a ride into town? Here is the short answer: the cheapest way to the center is the metro (€0.80, about 20 minutes from Terminal 2), the safe taxi is booked at the Yellow office in the arrivals hall (about €10 to €15), and the calmest option is a transfer booked in advance. Below are all the options, with prices as of September 2026.
In this guide6 sections
What happens when you land at Sofia Airport
You've landed. It's late. The bags finally showed up. And the moment you walk through the exit, drivers approach you offering rides into the city.
This is where many visitors make their first, and most avoidable, mistake of the trip. Not because they are naive, but because they are tired and don't know what the ride should cost. So here is every option, what it costs and who it suits.
Your options from Sofia Airport to the city
Drivers offering rides outside the terminal: avoid
Drivers who approach you outside the terminal, or taxis that pull up without being booked, can ask any price they like. Travelers in our community have reported paying €50 to €70 for a 20-minute ride that costs about €10 to €15 in a licensed taxi. The airport itself advises against taking taxis offered outside the official taxi office.
Licensed Yellow taxi: the simplest option if you haven't booked
Yellow is the taxi company contracted by the airport, with offices in the arrivals hall of both terminals. Go to the office, take a taxi from the official rank, and the meter runs. A ride to central Sofia costs about €10 to €15, depending on the time of day and traffic.
Metro: the cheapest, from Terminal 2
Metro line M4 leaves from the eastern end of Terminal 2 and reaches the city center in about 20 minutes. A ride costs €0.80, and you can pay with a contactless bank card right at the entry gate, no ticket needed. It works well in the daytime, with one suitcase each and a hotel near a station.
Bus 84: stops at both terminals
Landed at Terminal 1, where there is no metro? Bus 84 stops at both terminals, runs roughly every 12 minutes and reaches the center in about 45 minutes on weekdays. A ride also costs €0.80, payable by contactless card at the validator on the bus. With kids and big suitcases, it is less comfortable.
Apps: not Bolt
Note that Bolt does not offer rides in Sofia. Its Sofia app has food delivery, scooters and bikes, but no taxis. To book a taxi from your phone, use TaxiMe, a Bulgarian app that dispatches licensed taxis.
Pre-booked private transfer: the no-stress option
This is what we at MakeYourTravel recommend for families, groups, late arrivals, or anyone who doesn't want surprises after a flight. Our Sofia Airport to city center transfer starts at €30 per car (up to 4 passengers) or €60 per van (up to 8), not per person. The price is confirmed and paid in advance, the driver waits in the terminal with a name sign, tracks your flight number and waits if it is delayed, at no extra charge. And if anything goes wrong, you have a WhatsApp line that answers.
Sofia Airport transfer prices: what you should actually pay
Prices as of September 2026 (Bulgaria switched to the euro on 1 January 2026):
| Option | Price | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver offering a ride at the exit | Not fixed, sometimes €50 or more | 20 to 30 min | Nobody |
| Licensed Yellow taxi | About €10 to €15 | 20 to 30 min | Anyone who hasn't booked |
| Metro M4 from Terminal 2 | €0.80 | About 20 min | Daytime, light luggage |
| Bus 84 | €0.80 | About 45 min | Terminal 1 arrivals, light luggage |
| Pre-booked private transfer | From €30 per car, €60 per van | About 20 min | Families, groups, late arrivals |
Book it with us · Day tripsDay trips in BulgariaOut in the morning, back by the eveningBookThree things most visitors don't know about Sofia Airport
1. There are two terminals, and it matters
Most scheduled flights land at Terminal 2, and Wizz Air uses both terminals. The metro only leaves from Terminal 2. If you booked a transfer, make sure the driver knows which terminal you arrive at.
2. Renting a car at the airport? Check the deposit
Some rental companies block a large deposit on your credit card, sometimes thousands of euros. We have seen it in our community more than once. If you are staying in Sofia and don't need a car, a private transfer is simpler. If you do rent, read our car rental guide for Bulgaria first.
3. Money: euros, and cards almost everywhere
Since January 2026 Bulgaria's currency is the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city. If you need cash, use a bank ATM, and when a machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose euros. Our money in Bulgaria guide has the details.
What about transfers from Sofia to other cities?
Sofia Airport is also the starting point for Bansko, Borovets, Plovdiv and the Rila Monastery. MakeYourTravel runs private transfers to all the popular destinations, at a fixed price per vehicle confirmed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Sofia Airport to the city?
A licensed Yellow taxi, booked at the office in the arrivals hall, costs about €10 to €15 to the center. Drivers offering rides outside can ask €50 or more.
Is there Bolt in Sofia?
Not for rides. In Sofia, Bolt offers food delivery, scooters and bikes, but no taxis. To book a licensed taxi by phone, use TaxiMe; at the airport itself, the Yellow office is the simplest.
How do I get from Sofia Airport to the center by metro?
Line M4 leaves from the eastern end of Terminal 2 and reaches the center in about 20 minutes. A ride costs €0.80, paid with a contactless card at the gate.
Is a private transfer worth the extra money?
If you are more than two people, arriving at night or traveling with kids and luggage, yes. Our transfer starts at €30 per car (up to 4 passengers) or €60 per van (up to 8), and the driver waits with a sign even if your flight is delayed.
How long does it take from Sofia Airport to the city center?
By car, about 20 minutes with clear roads and up to 35 minutes at rush hour. About 20 minutes by metro, and about 45 minutes on bus 84.
Which terminal will I land at?
Most scheduled flights use Terminal 2, and Wizz Air uses both terminals. Check with your airline before you fly.
Asked in our group
What members of our Facebook group ask about this, with our answer.
How do I get from Sofia Airport to the city centre?
The cheapest way is the metro: line M4 leaves from Terminal 2 and reaches the centre in about 20 minutes for €0.80, and you pay by tapping a contactless card at the gate. For a taxi, go only to the Yellow desk in the arrivals hall: about €10 to €15. Landing at night with kids and suitcases? Book a transfer ahead and the driver waits for you with a sign.
Is there Uber or Bolt in Sofia?
Not for rides. Uber stopped operating in Bulgaria in 2015 and never came back, and in Sofia Bolt offers only food delivery, scooters and e-bikes. To get a taxi from your phone, use a licensed taxi company's app such as TaxiMe; at the airport the simplest option is the Yellow desk in the arrivals hall.
Early flight home: how do I get to the airport at night?
The metro runs from about 5:30 am until a little before midnight, so an early flight means a taxi or a transfer. Order a taxi through a licensed company's app, such as Yellow, OK Supertrans or TaxiMe, and check the rate sticker on the window: at night the maximum is €1.52 per km. Want it settled? Book a fixed-price transfer in advance.
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