Sofia “Vasil Levski” Airport (SOF) is the main international airport serving Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
The airport is located 10 km east of the city centre near the Vrazhdebna neighborhood, which is why, in old documentation, you may see the airport listed as Vrazhdebna Airport.
In 2025, SOF handled more than 8 million passengers - a record number. This puts it way ahead of the other international airports in Bulgaria and makes it one of the busiest in the Balkans.
Major Airlines - Bulgaria Air, Ryanair, Wizz Air
Bulgaria Air, the national carrier, has its main hub of operations at Sofia Airport. It offers more than 20 routes across Europe and domestic services to Burgas and Varna on the Black Sea coast.
Regardless, Ryanair and Wizz Air, two of the largest European low-fare carriers, operate more flights per month and serve more destinations. Their broad networks include almost all countries in Europe and a few destinations in North Africa and the Middle East.
Other low-cost airlines that fly to Sofia include easyJet, Flydubai, and Transavia.
As a capital and a major city, Sofia receives flights by some of Europe’s largest legacy carriers, linking it to major capitals on the Old Continent. These include British Airways, Lufthansa, Air Serbia, Air Baltic, Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, and more.
Qatar Airways, El Al, and Turkish Airlines provide daily links to their major hubs in the Middle East, allowing further travel on their sprawling networks.
In total, Sofia Airport hosts flights from more than 25 airlines with direct routes to well over 80 destinations.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Sofia Airport has two passenger terminals:
Terminal 1: The older terminal, with very outdated facilities with a compact layout spanning just one level. It mainly serves low-cost and charter airlines.
Terminal 2: The larger and more modern terminal, which opened in 2006. It is equipped with airbridges and handles most scheduled flights from European and long-haul carriers.
The airports’ terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus that runs every 15-20 minutes during the day and takes about 5 minutes to travel between T1 and T2.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Complimentary free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals, letting passengers browse or work while waiting for flights.
Other services at SOF include:
Information desks and help points in both terminals.
ATMs: Available landside in both Arrivals and Departures of both terminals.
Currency exchange: Available in the Baggage Claim area of both terminals and on Level 1 of T2.
Banks: Available landside in both terminals.
Pharmacy in Terminal 2, landside.
Duty-free and retail shops with cosmetics, alcohol, souvenirs, and travel essentials.
Baby changing room: Located on Level 1 of T2, just before Gate B6.
Prayer room: Located beside the baggage check-in counters in T2.
Luggage wrapping: Available in both terminals, near the Check-in desks.
See the best things to do in Sofia.
Lounges at Sofia Airport
Sofia Airport has 2 lounges available to business and VIP passengers or those seeking more comfort while waiting for their flights.
The Aspire Lounge on Level 0 of Terminal 2 is a premium space with refreshments and work areas. It features the only smoking zone in the airside area. Access is on a pay-to-enter basis, with day passes costing 33 EUR for adults or 21 EUR for kids.
Terminal 1 will have a completely renovated lounge with a capacity of 125 guests set to open in early 2026.
Dining Options at SOF
Many new dining outlets have opened at Sofia Airport in recent years, especially in Terminal 2. There, you will have a choice between sit-down restaurants, coffee houses, and fast food. Most establishments are located airside, after Security, open 2 hours before the first flight of the day, and close after the last flight.
Here are some popular places to eat and drink in Terminal 2:
Bar 09-27: aviation-themed bar offering local and international beers, wines, cocktails, and soft drinks, and hot food.
Negroni: Italian-style restaurant offering pizza, pasta, and other made-to-order specialties.
Upper Crust: a fast casual bakery brand selling fresh baguettes and prepackaged sandwiches.
Starbucks is a well-known international coffee brand offering a variety of caffeine drinks and snacks.
Camden Food Co.: Offers fresh and healthy meals, croissants, muffins, other pastries, and drinks.
Le Croque Monsieur: For the lovers of classic French flavors, this caravan-style cafe offers sandwiches, croissants, and other pastries to go.
Terminal 1 is smaller and thus has a more limited selection of dining options. There are a few small cafés in the Gates area where you can also buy sandwiches, snacks, and other drinks. Boulangerie Banitsa sticks out as an opportunity to try traditional Bulgarian banitza pastry, if you haven’t yet.
Transport to and from the airport
The Sofia Metro Line M4 connects Terminal 2 directly to the city centre in about 20 minutes. The ticket for the metro costs 0.80 EUR, allowing you to change transport modes once within 30 minutes. Make sure to pay by tapping your contactless card - the daily limit (3 rides or more) is only 2 EUR.
The metro runs from early morning until late evening.
If you land at Terminal 1, look for the stop of the free shuttle bus between the terminals right outside the terminal building. It runs every 15-20 minutes in each direction and takes 5 minutes to reach the other terminal. You can also use it if coming from the city using the metro - you will arrive at Terminal 2 and can take the shuttle to Terminal 1, if required.
Alternatively, two city bus lines, 84 and 184, link both terminals with central Sofia. They also only operate during the day.
If you arrive late or want to get to the airport early, your only option is to take a taxi. Licensed taxis are available at arrivals outside both terminals. Fares to central Sofia vary a lot by distance, time of day, and traffic conditions - between 7 and 20 EUR.
You can also check for private transfers from SOF here.
Should you wish to explore more of Bulgaria with more freedom, consider renting a car at the airport. Multiple agencies operate 24/7 from the arrivals halls; most are in Terminal 2. Companies include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, Motopfohe, Tany 97, and others.
Parking at Sofia Airport
Sofia Airport has one parking lot plus a VIP parking facility in front of Terminal 1 and three parking lots allowing both short- and long-term parking in front of Terminal 2. The covered car park at Terminal 2 is temporarily closed for refurbishment. All parking lots are open 24/7.
Terminal 1 has:
P1: an open-air car park right outside the terminal. Up to 1 hour of parking costs 3 EUR, and additional hours cost 2-3 EUR each. The daily limit is 20 EUR and the weekly, 60 EUR.
VIP Parking: Located in front of the VIP Lounge, next to Departures at Terminal 1. Costs 5 EUR per hour, 40 EUR per day, or 100 EUR per week.
In Terminal 2, you can pick between:
P3: Standard parking option about 5 minutes on foot away from the terminal. Costs 3 EUR per hour, 20 EUR per day, or 60 EUR per week.
P4: Economy parking option, about 7 minutes’ walking from the terminal. The hourly and daily charges are the same as at P3, but it’s cheaper for weekly stays and longer - 55 EUR per week plus 4 EUR per day thereafter.
P5: The most convenient and closest parking option - just 1 minute away from the terminal. The first 30 minutes cost 3 EUR, and the first hour costs 6 EUR. One day's stay in P5 costs 30 EUR.
Terminal 2 utilizes a Kiss & Ride zone located curbside in front of the terminal entrance, which offers free stops of up to 10 minutes. This only applies once per hour; otherwise, standard charges apply.
Hotels near Sofia “Vasil Levski” Airport
There is no hotel inside either of the terminals of SOF.
Given the proximity to the city center and the metro link, most travelers choose to stay somewhere in downtown Sofia.
Still, if you need to stay near Sofia Airport, there are several good options:
Ibis Sofia Airport: a convenient budget-friendly hotel with free shuttle service to and from the airport.
Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel: A 4-star hotel within a 3-minute drive of the airport (free shuttle offered), featuring an on-site restaurant, modern rooms, and conference facilities.
Sofia, Bulgaria
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