Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is a bustling city with a well-developed public transport system, ride-hailing apps, bike lanes, and e-scooters. The city center, where all major attractions are located, is pedestrian-friendly, but in some cases, you might need to explore other areas. Navigating the city can be easy if you know your options. This guide will take you through the main points of urban mobility: public transport (including getting to and from Sofia Airport), taxis, and rides.
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- The Public Transport in Sofia
- Buses, Trams & Trolleys
- How to Buy Tickets & Prices (in 2025)
- FAQ: Getting to/from Sofia Airport by Public Transport
- By Taxi
- E-Scooters & Bike Rentals
- Car Sharing (Short-Term Rentals)
- Rent-a-Car
- Street Parking (Blue & Green Zones)
The Public Transport in Sofia
Sofia has an extensive metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus network operated by the Sofia Urban Mobility Center. The metro (subway) is the fastest option. It covers large residential districts, reaches the airport (Terminal 2), and even features a small exhibition area with ancient ruins at Serdica station. There are four lines, and line M4 is a tourist favorite, it connects Sofia Airport with the city center. A single metro ticket (also called a card) costs 1.60 BGN.
Tickets are issued by machines at metro entrances or by a cashier at the ticket desk, and must be validated at the barriers. The ticket is valid for entry into the metro for up to 60 minutes after purchase.
If you have a credit or debit card, you can also pay directly by tapping it at the entrance. Below you will find more details on using contactless cards for public transport in a moment.
Buses, Trams & Trolleys
Sofia has an extensive and complex network of buses, trams, and trolleys. They reach all districts, including suburbs. Operating hours depend on the specific line, some run frequently and until late, others have longer intervals.
There are also night bus lines with limited routes after midnight. Night transport is often a topic of discussion at the municipal hall but as of 2025, there are 4 lines running from midnight until approximately 4 in the morning.
Note that Trams are the absolute queens of the city roads. The law is always on their side: trams do not stop at zebras, pedestrian crossings, they always have priority on the roads and their drivers will not blink if you and your car get into accident with the trams.
How to Buy Tickets & Prices (in 2025)
Just like with the metro, you can pay for buses, trams, and trolleys using a bank card or mobile wallet.
• Single Ticket (1 ride): 1.60 BGN (valid for 30 minutes on all public transport)
• Transfer Ticket (multiple rides): 2.20 BGN (valid for all types of transport within 60 minutes of first validation)
• Daily Pass: 4 BGN (unlimited rides until midnight)
It’s important to validate your card every time you board.
Google Maps provides real-time transit information, making it easy to navigate the public transport system.
FAQ: Getting to/from Sofia Airport by Public Transport
You can reach Sofia’s city center from the airport by bus or metro, depending on your terminal, Terminal 1 is served by buses 84 and 184, while Terminal 2 is connected by both bus and Metro Line M4, which stops at Sofia University and Serdica stations. Both buses and the metro stop at major hubs like Pliska and Orlov Most, with the final bus stop on General Gurko Street in the heart of the city. A single ticket costs 1.60 BGN, is valid for 30 minutes, and is usually enough to reach the city center.
Terminal 1 is accessible only by bus:
• Bus 84: Airport → City Center
• Bus 184: Airport → City Center
Both buses stop at major transport hubs such as Pliska and Orlov Most, where you can change to other lines. Their final stop is on General Gurko Street, right in the city center.
Terminal 2 is accessible by both bus and metro:
• Bus 84: Airport → City Center
• Metro Line M4 connects the airport to the city center. You can change at Sofia University or Serdica stations.
The metro runs from 5:00 AM to approximately 11:30 PM–midnight, depending on the station. At peak hours, trains run every 5 minutes.
By Taxi
Use Yellow Taxi, OK Taxi, the TaxiMe app, or Volt (a newer, more upscale company). Taxi apps work better than calling by phone, and you can get an estimated fare in advance when using the app.
Check the Complete Guide to Taxis in Sofia: How to Get Around Safely and Efficiently with quick reviews for the popular and reiable taxi companies.
Note: Uber and Bolt car services are not available in Bulgaria. Uber briefly operated in Bulgaria but was banned after lobbying from local taxi companies. Bolt never launched car services, but it does offer e-scooters.
Last but not least, avoid unmarked taxis near tourist areas, they often overcharge.
E-Scooters & Bike Rentals
Sofia has several e-scooter and bike rental operators. The central areas have bike lanes, making this form of transport easy, quick, and fun.
Important: Do not ride scooters or bikes on the pedestrian part of Vitosha Boulevard, it’s prohibited, and police often fine violators. You will probably see this in your app with allowed areas but we just want to highlight it once again because local police is happy to show some activity and the headache is not worth it. In peak hours in warm days Vitosha Blvd. is pretty busy and discouraging for a ride anyway but you might be lured into a quick ride on it on rainy days or early mornings when it is empty. Don’t fall into this. Avoid it at all cost, take the parallel streets.
E-scooter providers are Lime, BinBin, and Bolt
Bike rentals are provided by Cyrcl for both traditional and electric bikes.
If you have a driving license, you can also use the vehicles by ShareAScooter, the approval is quick and they come with two helmets.
Each service has apps for Android and iOS. Before unlocking a vehicle, check the app for instructions, requirements, and pricing.
Car Sharing (Short-Term Rentals)
Short-term car rentals let you pick up a car, drive, and leave it in a designated zone. Most cars are electric, allowing you to park in paid zones hassle-free.
The process is simple: Register in the app, locate a car via GPS, drive, and park in designated areas.
Operators: Spark and GOeGO. Pricing is available in each app.
This option is ideal for short trips when public transport isn’t convenient.
Rent-a-Car
Renting a car makes sense only if you’re planning trips outside Sofia, such as visiting Rila Monastery, Bansko, or the Black Sea coast.
Within Sofia, traffic, limited parking, and excellent public transport make driving inconvenient.
Most major rental companies operate at the airport and downtown. Be cautious of aggressive drivers and narrow roads in the city.
For day trips within the city limits, consider car-sharing services instead. Also, check if your hotel has parking, street parking in central Sofia is scarce and expensive.
Unless you’re venturing beyond the city, stick to taxis, metro, and buses for convenience.
Street Parking (Blue & Green Zones)
The city center is divided into paid parking zones with limited spaces. Electric vehicles park for free.
• Blue Zone (central Sofia): Operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Maximum parking: 2 hours. Price: 2.40 BGN per hour
• Green Zone (wider city center): Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Maximum parking: 4 hours. Price: 1.20 BGN per hour
You can pay via SMS (with a local SIM card), buy tickets from kiosks or municipal staff, or use the Urbo app (available for Android and iOS).
Note: Do not park in front of garages, after a sign with a wheelchair or in areas marked with СЛУЖЕБЕН АБОНАМЕНТ (Business Subscriptions), as these are reserved and you will receive a ticket and a fine.
Sofia has an efficient and affordable public transport system, with metro, buses, and trams all easily accessible. Single tickets cost just 1.60 BGN, and using public transport is highly recommended.
If you prefer a private ride, there are user-friendly taxi apps. For short, fun trips, the city offers e-scooters, bike rentals, and car-sharing services, perfect for exploring Sofia on your terms.