Getting from Sofia Airport to the city center
- Bus 84 from Terminal 2 to city center
- Bus 184 from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and city center
- Run every 30 minites
- No buses after midnight
- Ticket price: 1,60 BGN (0.8 EUR)
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Bus 84 is a city network bus that runs from Terminal 2 of the airport to the city center. Last stop of the bus is behind Sofia University, which is in the heart of the city. The city landmarks (the cathedral Alexander Nevski, national theater etc.) are within walking distance.
Finding parking near Sofia Airport
Bus 184 will get you from Terminal 1 (the old terminal) to Terminal 2 in about 7-8 minutes if you need to switch terminals. Unfortunately, if you need to get from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, your only option would be on foot (approx. 20 minutes) or a taxi, but this is an arguable option since the driver could refuse (common practice) or overcharge you due to short distance (even more common practice, even though absurd). After it reaches Terminal 2, the bus continues on the same route as bus 84 to the city center.
Timetable
The buses run every 30 minutes or so during the day from around 5 AM to midnight. More detailed bus schedule can be found here: Sofia buses schedule
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from dedicated ticket booths around the city or at the airport. Bus drivers also sell tickets at the same price. The ticket is 1,60 BGN which equals to 0,80 EUR. Please have local currency at hand – euro will not be accepted.
When you get on the bus, you are required to punch your ticket through the machines. If you do not punch your ticket, you risk being fined 20 BGN.
Once punched, the ticket is valid for the whole bus ride, regardless of how many stops you use. If you switch to another bus, you need to have another ticket.
Other means of transport
Besides buses 184 and 84, the subway is also a possible and faster means of transport from and to the airport. It can get you from the Airport Terminal 2 to the city center and if you know how to navigate the different metro lines, you can get to almost any point in the city.
Taxis are also available at the airport, but I would advise to use them only if no other means of transport are available. The taxis will almost definitely overcharge a foreigner and the drivers rarely speak any decent English so communication will be difficult.
There are many rental car companies near the airport that will offer you transport to their garage if you rent a car at the airport desk.
Unfortunately, Uber is no longer available in Bulgaria so you will have to rely on the other transport options or regular city taxis.