Sofia Airport (SOF) is the main gateway into Bulgaria and it is located in the country’s capital. Car hire in Sofia Airport is a good idea as the airport is actually located a few miles east of central Sofia and having your own vehicle is more reliable than waiting around on public transport.
In 2010 more than three million passengers used Sofia Airport. We cater to their needs by offering vehicles that are reliable for business travel and fun and secure for holiday rentals. The airport is located in the west of Bulgaria. Book ahead to reserve your vehicle.
Sofia Airport Mini Guide
Welcome to Sofia Airport
Sofia Airport, found 7 miles from the city centre, has two terminals. The older T1 now deals mostly with budget airlines and charter flights whilst the four year old T2 handles scheduled international flights. The airport is rapidly growing in terms of passenger numbers with 3.25 million passing through the terminals last year. Outside the terminals there is plenty of parking with 400 outside T1 and 820 outside T2, both parks are split into long and short term.
Getting There
32 scheduled airlines fly there providing international and domestic flights whilst 18 charter airlines bring passengers for the summer beach season and the winter skiing season.
Getting to Your Destination After Landing
There are no trains directly from Sofia Airport although a metro link is under construction. For now passengers have to take the number 384 bus to Mladost 1 metro station which links to the national rail network. Bus 84 from the airport will take you to the downtown campus of the University whilst shuttle bus no. 30 goes into the central business district and on to the busy suburb of Lyulin.
Taxis are plentiful at the airport but make sure the fare is agreed before you set off. Scams are frequent there. If hiring a car for your onward journey, the desks are found in the arrivals hall after customs and are easily spotted. You should try to pre-book your car, especially at peak times, and send a member of your group through to queue as the desks can get busy when several flights land at the same time.
Getting into the city is easy along Brussels Boulevard and exiting the city via the north is also trouble free if you follow East tangent Street which eventually arrives at the Trakya highway.
Public Information
Public information is available from the desk in the main foyer of each terminal building and the desk is clearly marked. There too, you can get information about local attractions and accommodation.
Facilities, Shops and Restaurants
Banking facilities are available at T1 only and ATMs are dotted throughout the site. There are also basic post office facilities and a foreign exchange desk in each terminal.
Shopping at Sofia is interesting but by no means limited. There is a newsagents and pre-packed food shop at each terminal and a toy shop in T1. There are souvenir shops at each terminal including local products. Whilst at T2 there is a shop selling pipes, cigars and tobacco. At each terminal there is the typical duty free shop but included in T2 is a Bulgarian wine and spirit shop with an in house expert to help you choose your wine.
Food at the airport is very limited and the best you’ll get is a heated for you snack such as pizza or Panini. The ‘restaurants’ are really just cafes selling snacks, light bites, coffee and alcoholic beverages but there are two in T1, three in T2 and one more in each terminal after security.
Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Passengers who Require Extra Assistance
The disabled are well catered for with assistance available for passengers with reduced mobility. General assistance is available for disabled travellers but it is recommended that you inform your airline before travelling so that necessary steps can be taken to assist you.
Useful Links: