Sofia International Airport (SOF)

Overview

Sofia Airport was built in the late 1930s, but has recently undergone a revamp with the addition of the modern Terminal 2. The airport is a central hub for many Eastern European carriers and serves over three million passengers annually.

Daily flights are available to London as well as cities across Europe. The airport is the largest airport in Bulgaria and houses a great selection of shops and restaurants. It is also the best airport to use when visiting the Black Sea Resorts, Balkan Mountains or simply the Byzantine beauty of Sofia.

Location

The airport is situated six miles (10km) east of Sofia.

Getting to the city

Regular bus service 84 runs on a frequent schedule day and night from the bus station close to Arrivals. Bus tickets cost BGN 1, but passengers will have to pay extra for large pieces of luggage. Taxis are available, and passengers are advised to use O.K. SUPERTRANS taxis from outside the arrivals hall; their enquiries desk is located inside the arrivals hall. Fares into town cost BGN 8 to 10, but a 5 to 10 percent tip is customary. Most hotels and tourist resorts run their own airport shuttles.

Time

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to September).

Contacts

Tel: +359 (0)2 937 2211/2 (international flights departures and arrivals).

Car rental

Avis, Hertz, Budget, Tani Rent and Sixt have desks located in the arrivals hall.

Airport Taxis

The taxi stands are located just outside the western exit of the arrivals halls in both terminal 1 and 2. Fares into central Sofia cost between BGN 8 and BGN 10, but a 5 to 10% tip is expected. Taxi drivers are happy to accept both US Dollars and Euros. If no taxis are available, passengers can request one at the taxi desks located within the arrivals halls.

Transfer between terminals

A shuttle operates between the terminals at 30-minute intervals from 7am to 6pm. For passengers needing to transfer between terminals after 6pm or before 7am, a shuttle can be requested at the information desks within the terminals.

Facilities

The airport is well equipped with banks, bureau de change, ATMs, restaurants, cafeterias and bars, duty-free shopping, a chemist, travel agency, tourist information desk and first aid facilities. There is also a business lounge with Internet access, and a luggage-wrapping machine at departures.

Parking

Parking at Sofia Airport's Terminal 1 costs BGN 2 per hour for up to seven hours, BGN 18 for the first day and BGN 25 for up to 48 hours. Terminal 2 parking costs BGN 3 for the first 60 minutes and BGN 2 per hour thereafter. The daily rates are BGN 20 to BGN 27.

Departure Tax

US$20 (nationals of the USA only).

Website

www.sofia-airport.bg

Airlines

Major carriers, including Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Czech Airlines, easyJet, Lufthansa, Olympic Air, Qatar Airways, Swiss Airlines and Turkish Airlines offer regular flights to Sofia Airport. Charter flights to Sofia can be booked through Thomas Cook, Thomson, Monarch, Bulgaria Air and Air Europa.

Internet

Free wifi is available throughout the airport.

Business Lounges

VIP Lounge as well as the Sofia Lounge. Facilities available at these lounges include printing, copying, faxing, computers, press conference capabilities and interviewing rooms.

Sofia Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.