Sofia Airport Guide

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.

Sofia Airport guide — (Photo courtesy of a guest traveller / September 2019)

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.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Sofia Airport Guide.

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Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels at the Sofia Airport:

ibis Sofia Airport (0.3 mi / 0.5 km) Budget hotel. Approximately a 10-minute walk from Terminal 1. A free 24-hour airport shuttle is also available on request.
Hotel Premier Sofia Airport (0.6 mi / 1.0 km) Upscale hotel. Free airport shuttle available.

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.

Terminal 1

Sofia Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, International Departures, Airside, Level 2, opposite Gate 1. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.

Terminal 2

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.

Food & Drinks

At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour food and beverage options. Most restaurants operate approximately 6:00 AM – 11:50 PM. Vending machines are available in the Arrivals Hall.

Drinking Water
A reader reports a water bottle refill station in Terminal 2 near the restrooms. (boschimatteoh)

Luggage Storage

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

A reader reports mobile charging boxes are available airside.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.

Airport Tours – Guided behind-the-scenes tours are available, covering areas such as the apron, taxiways, runway vicinity, and airport facilities. Advance registration (at least five days) is required.
ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Locations: Landside, Arrivals and Departures Halls.
Currency Exchange – ICE Exchange locations: Terminal 1 (Baggage Claim) • Terminal 2 (Baggage Claim) • Terminal 2 (Level 1).
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shops and a selection of convenience-style stores are available. Hours vary by flight schedule.
Family Services – Nursing rooms are available in both terminals.
Luggage Wrapping – Available in Terminals 1 and 2 (landside, departures area). Baggage weighing is also available.
Meditation Room – A reader tells us there is a Meditation Room in Terminal 2. (April 2026)
Pharmacy – Location: Terminal 2, landside.
Postal Services – Post office available in Terminals 1 and 2 (landside, departures area).
Prayer Room – Location: Terminal 2, Level 1, airside, opposite Gate C1.

Airlines

Sofia Airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Aeroflot • Air France • Air Serbia • Austrian Airlines • British Airways • Bulgaria Air • Buta Airways • EasyJet • El Al • flydubai • LOT • Lufthansa • Qatar Airways • Ryanair • TAROM • Transavia • Turkish Airlines • Wind Rose Aviation • Wizz Air.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The 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 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).

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-03-27

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.