Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Sofia Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
A guy a couple of meters away was sleeping on chairs. Border guards approached him, woke him up and said that this was not a hotel to sleep in. – a traveller
SOF Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Sofia International Airport.
What to Expect
Sofia Airport has two terminals (code: SOF): the older Terminal 1 handles low-cost routes, and Terminal 2, opened in 2006, houses standard international carriers. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals. Amenities include a variety of eateries and shops, including duty-free, though none are open 24 hours, so plan ahead if you’re camping out. Free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter several airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.
Sleeping in Sofia Airport
According to a traveller in June 2021, security guards will wake up overnight sleepers. We have no additional details about whether travellers are being asked to leave the terminal or just woken up to make it difficult to sleep. For the daytime sleeper, Terminal 2 is a bit more welcoming than Terminal 1; however, it seems that most seats have armrests or are made of metal. Try the cafe area in T2 for some leather couches. Otherwise, bring a sleeping bag for comfort. For uninterrupted sleep, hotels are nearby, including one in walking distance of T1. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Sofia Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Sofi Airport:
- Ibis Sofia Airport – Ten-minute walk from Terminal 1. Free 24-hour airport shuttle is available upon request. » Check Rates
- Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel – Free airport shuttle to the airport only. Hours: 5:00AM – 9:00AM. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Sofia, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Sofia Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, International Departures, Airside, Level 2, opposite Gate 1. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Pliska Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Level +1. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Preslav Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Level 0. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Vitosha Aspire Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Level 1. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Sofia Airport Lounges
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
More Airport Information
Airport Tours – Find out what happens at the airport during a behind-the-scenes airport tour. A guide will lead you on a 5-kilometre route through the apron, along the taxiways to the runway and the Iskar River bridge. Visit the airport fire and rescue station and the unique noise protection screen. You’ll need to register at least five days in advance. Rates: BGN 99.00 / EUR 50.40 per person.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, in the Arrivals and Departures Halls.
Currency Exchange – ICE Exchange has 3 locations: Terminal 1, Baggage Claim • Terminal 2, Baggage Claim • Terminal 2, Level 1.
Drinking Water – Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free is available at the airport and is open according to flight schedules. Also, there are a variety of shops including several convenience style shops. Hours: unknown.
Family Services – The airport has four nursing rooms (two in each Terminal) available for changing and nursing. Cribs are also included.
Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, there were no 24-hour food and beverage concessions. Restaurants are open 6:00 AM – 11:50 PM. Vending machines can be found in the Arrivals Hall.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic. Location: Terminals 1 and 2, departure area, landside. Rates: Small suitcase – BGN 10.00 • Big suitcase – BGN 15.00. You can also weigh your bag here for BGN 1.00 / piece to ensure it meets flight requirements.
Mobile Charging – A reader tells us mobile changing boxes are available airside.
Pharmacy – Location: Terminal 2, Landside. Hours: unknown.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s post office. Location: Terminals 1 and 2, Landside, departure area.
Prayer Room – Location: Terminal 2, level 1, airside, opposite gate C1.
Showers – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
WiFi/Internet – Free WiFi is available at Sofia Airport.
Bus
SOF airport is well connected to the bus system. City buses 84 and 184 offer service between the airport and General Gurko Str, while city bus 384 travels between the airport and Druzhba 2. Journeys last between 25 and 40 minutes, depending on destination and time of day. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine in the T1 Arrivals Hall (landside) or from the Razprostranenie na Pechata booths in both terminals.
Car Rentals
These car rental agencies offer service on-site: Avis • Avtojet • Budget • Choice Rent a Car • Enterprise • Europcar • Firefly • Gates Car Hire • Hertz • Motopfohe • Sixt • Tany 97 • Thrifty and more. Note: The majority of the agencies have offices in Terminal 2.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Transportation
Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by a free shuttle bus, which runs every 15 minutes between 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Metro
Sofia Airport is connected to the city center via Metro Line 1, an 18-minute journey. Sofia Central Bus and Railway Station is only 30 minutes away if you change from Metro Line 1 to Line 2. Trains run from 5:30 AM – 12:00 AM, and you can catch one at the Sofia Airport metro station, located in the eastern part of T2 (follow the blue lines on the floor).
Taxi
OK Supertrans is the airport’s official taxi service provider. Follow the yellow path to find the taxi booths (available in the T1 and T2 Arrivals Halls).
Last updated: 2024-01-30
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.