subject: Sofia Airport Transfers and Transportation Links [print this page] Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria and the heart of the country as well. The city is a cultural, administrative and industrial centre and its motto definitely deserves to be "It grows, but does not age". Sofia is the biggest city in Bulgaria. It is surrounded by the Balkan Mountains Range to the north, the Lozen Mountain to the south-east, the Mountain Vitosha to the south and the Lyulin Mountain to the southwest. Sofia Airport is the main airport in the capital located 5km east of Sofia.It handles more than 5 million passengers per year. Arriving in Sofia there are a few ways to go around. Transport Links Bus Two bus routes connect the airport to Sofia city centre. Travel time is some 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions. From/to Terminal 1 the link is by bus No84 and from/to Terminal 2 the bus line is No284. Ticket prices per trip in September 2009 were 1 lv (approximately 50 euro cents), with pre-purchased tickets from kiosks or newsagents. Shuttle Bus A small shuttle bus (No30) connects the two terminals with the city centre and Sofia's biggest residential area of Lyulin. Ticket price in September 2009 was 1.50 leva (circa 0.75). Sofia Taxi and Sofia Airport TransfersSofia Airport Taxis are available at the landside of the arrivals areas of Terminals 1 and Terminal 2. The taxi fare to central Sofia is between 8 and 10 leva, depending on traffic. Average daytime fares per kilometre started at 0.90 leva in April 2009. Tourists and visitors from outside Bulgaria should pay attention when looking for a taxi. They should look for the assistance of taxi companies whose front offices are located INSIDE the airport terminal. Any price higher than 1 lev/km for night-time is fraud. Sofia International Airport is well connected to both the Trakia and Hemus motorways. Booking your airport transfer from Sofia Airport in advance with reputable company is highly recommended. Bourgas Airport Transfers offers one of the cheapest fares from Sofia Airport to all long distances including Bankso,Borovets and Pamporovo. Sofia Taxi to Bankso will take you around 2.5h up to 3h depending on weather conditions for only 67euros booking in advance. Bansko is located in Pirin Mountains and it's one of the best skiing resort in Bulgaria. Sofia Taxi to Pamporovo will take you around 3h drive with private transfer. Always book your long distance transfer in advance and never rely on yellow airport taxis waiting outside the Airport. Disadvantages of yellow Sofia taxis are: -small boots ( it's not possible to get 2 big suitcases into their trunks) -drivers do not speak English -lack of knowledge of the areas outside Sofia (i.e hotel and apart complexes in Bansko,Borovets and Pamporovo) -operating of lots of fraudsters outside the airport. There is nothing worse than a spoiled holiday from your arrival in a different country. Sofia Taxi to Borovets is the other busy route from holiday makers, journey takes aound one hour. There is no other transport for these busy skiing resort but to get yourself a reliable private transfer company to travel with. Metro
An extension of the Sofia Metro Line 1 is planned to reach the airport in 2014. Construction start is planned for 2011.
