Sofia Airport: Navigating Bulgaria's Aviation Gateway

where is sofia airport in bulgaria

Sofia Airport (SOF) is Bulgaria's busiest airport and the main airport serving the country's capital, Sofia. It is located about 10 kilometres from the city centre and is easily accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 handling low-cost airlines and charter flights, and Terminal 2 catering to most international flights and offering more modern facilities. The airport is home to several airlines, including Bulgaria Air and Wizz Air, and provides various amenities such as lounges, shops, and free Wi-Fi.

Characteristics Values
Airport Name Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Airport Code SOF
Location 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the centre of the capital Sofia, Bulgaria
Number of Terminals 2
Transport Options Car, taxi, public transport, shuttle bus
Facilities Lounges, shops, duty-free, lost and found, luggage wrapping, baby changing rooms, children's play areas, business centre, toilets and parking for disabled passengers, Wi-Fi
Environmental Initiatives De-icing platforms, noise abatement procedures for departing traffic, arrival traffic routed from the east
Operator SOF Connect AD (consortium of French investment fund Meridiam and Austria's Strabag)
Airlines BH Air, Bulgaria Air, European Air Charter, GullivAir, Ryanair, Wizz Air, IndiGo

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The airport is 10km from the city centre

Sofia Airport is conveniently located just 10km from the city centre of Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. This makes it easily accessible by car, taxi, or public transport. The airport is the main international airport of Bulgaria, and it serves as a base for several airlines, including Bulgaria Air and European Air Charter. It is also a base for Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Sofia Airport is Bulgaria's busiest airport and is the main airport serving the capital city. It is a gateway to this modern and lively city, which is the second oldest in Europe. The city is brimming with history and culture, with ancient streets, museums, cathedrals, and palaces to explore. It is also a hub of artistic expression, with graffiti walls throughout. For those seeking adventure, there are plenty of activities, such as hiking and skiing, and over twenty-five historical sites to visit.

The airport itself has two terminals, with plans for a third terminal currently in the works. Terminal 1 primarily handles low-cost airlines and charter flights, while Terminal 2 is used for most international flights and offers more modern facilities. Both terminals have lounges with comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Terminal 2 also has a business centre with computer and printing services.

Sofia Metro Line 1 connects the airport to the city centre, with the metro station adjacent to Terminal 2. A shuttle bus service connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Additionally, the Sofia Public Transport Company operates bus routes that connect both terminals with the city centre.

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It's named after Bulgarian hero Vasil Levski

Sofia Airport (SOF) is located approximately 10 km from the capital city of Sofia, Bulgaria. It is the main international airport of Bulgaria. The airport is named after the Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski, who was a leading figure in the fight against Ottoman rule in the late 19th century. Levski was a revolutionary, democrat, ideologist, organiser, and leader of the Bulgarian national liberation movement. He founded the Internal Revolutionary Organisation (IRO) and the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee (BRCC). Due to his self-sacrifice in developing a strategy to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, he was called the "Apostle of Freedom" by the Bulgarian people.

On 17 February 2025, President Rumen Radev issued a decree to officially name the airport after Vasil Levski. The proposal to rename the airport was put forward by scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, including Prof. Atanas Semov. This renaming had been discussed for over 15 years. The airport's operator for the first 12 years of the concession period is Munich Airport International.

Vasil Levski Sofia Airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 being used for most international flights and offering more modern facilities. The airport serves as the home base for BH Air, Bulgaria Air, European Air Charter, and GullivAir. It also serves as a base for Ryanair and Wizz Air. In 2019, the airport surpassed 7 million passengers for the first time.

Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, is a vibrant city with ancient streets, museums, cathedrals, and palaces. It is the second oldest city in Europe and offers a range of adventure activities such as hiking and skiing, as well as historical sites to explore.

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It has two terminals

Sofia Airport, also known as Sofia Vasil Levski Airport, is Bulgaria's busiest airport and the main airport serving the country's capital, Sofia. It is located approximately 10 kilometres from the city centre.

Sofia Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 primarily handles low-cost airlines, including Wizz Air and charter flights, while Terminal 2 is used for most international flights and offers more modern facilities. Both terminals are connected by shuttle services, and passengers can travel between them via a free shuttle bus. Terminal 2 is also accessible via the Sofia Metro, which connects the city centre to the airport.

The airport provides various facilities and services for passengers in both terminals. Terminal 1 features a lounge with desks for working executives and sloped entry to the car park for wheelchair users. There are also designated parking spaces reserved for disabled passengers, specialised toilets, and a lift to the business class lounge. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 has a business centre with computer, photocopier, printer, and fax services. It was designed with special attention to disabled passengers, offering lifts and escalators for access between the various levels of the multi-storey car park and adapted toilets for wheelchair users.

In addition to the aforementioned lounges, passengers can also access lounges in both terminals offering comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi. Sofia Airport also provides a range of shopping options, including a duty-free shop in Terminal 2 selling alcohol, tobacco, toiletries, cosmetics, accessories, and more. There is also a shop specialising in Bulgarian wines and alcoholic beverages, as well as souvenir and gift shops.

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It's Bulgaria's busiest airport

Sofia Airport is Bulgaria's largest and busiest airport, located just over 10 kilometres from the city centre. It is the main international airport of Bulgaria, serving as the main gateway to the country. The airport offers convenient access to the capital city of Sofia's cultural and historical landmarks, including St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, and the National Palace of Culture.

Sofia Airport handles a significant number of domestic and international flights, connecting Bulgaria to destinations worldwide. In 2019, the airport surpassed 7 million passengers for the first time. It serves as the home base for several airlines, including Bulgaria Air, European Air Charter, and GullivAir, and as a base for Ryanair and Wizz Air. The airport also houses the Bulgarian Air Force's Vrazhdebna Air Base.

The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 handling low-cost and charter flights and Terminal 2 being used for most international flights and offering more modern facilities. Both terminals offer lounges with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi. Passengers can easily travel between the terminals using a free shuttle bus service.

Sofia Airport is easily accessible by road, public transport, and taxi services. The travel time between the airport and the city centre is around 20-30 minutes by car, and public transportation options include a metro line, buses, and taxis. However, the airport has been criticised for its lack of world-class air freight facilities and some access problems, particularly for passengers to and from the Bulgarian interior.

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It's accessible by car, taxi, and public transport

Sofia Airport, officially named Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, is located 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the centre of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia.

By Car

If you are planning to arrive at Sofia Airport by car, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the parking locations and pricing details in advance. The airport's website provides information on parking areas, with pricing details displayed at the entry barriers. It is important to note that the multi-story parking garage is temporarily closed for renovations, but new outdoor parking lots are available.

By Taxi

To avoid any potential issues, it is recommended to use taxi services from the main taxi ranks or from the offices of the taxi operator, such as Yellow!, which has offices in the Arrivals sections of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

By Public Transport

Sofia Airport is easily accessible by public transport, with multiple options available.

Metro

The Sofia Airport Metro Station is located near the airport terminal building, providing a convenient transport connection to the city centre and residential complexes. Line 3 of the metropolitan metro also connects the airport with the Hadzhi Dimitar and Gorna Banya districts. Ticket machines for purchasing metro tickets are available at the station, accepting Bulgarian banknotes, coins, and credit cards.

Bus

The 84 and 184 bus routes connect the city centre with both terminals at Sofia Airport. These buses operate under an all-day timetable, and tickets can be purchased from kiosks or vending machines at the airport, which accept Bulgarian levs and coins.

Train

Passengers can also reach the Sofia Central Bus and Railway Stations by changing trains from Line 1 to Line 2 at the Serdika Metro Station. Additionally, the Sofia-Plovdiv and Sofia-Karlovo railway lines can be accessed by taking the metro two stops from the airport to the Iskarsko shose station and changing over to the trains.

Frequently asked questions

Sofia Airport is located 10km (6 miles) east of the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia.

The airport's full name is Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, named after the Bulgarian national hero.

The airport is easily accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. The Sofia Metro connects the city centre to Terminal 2, and there is a free shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Sofia Airport has two terminals with lounges, shops, restaurants, and other amenities. Terminal 2 has more modern facilities and is designed with special attention to disabled passengers.

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