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. This article will guide you in Sofia: From Metro to E-Scooters.
Just like anywhere else in Europe, public transport is… public. You can see all type of personalities in the metro trains or the other means of transport in the city. Some will always find something to complain about, other will not their eyes from their mobile devices. It is part of the experience. Taxis and private transfers offer more curated experience especially if you are lucky with a chatty driver.
Navigating Sofia you have options for Public Transport, Taxis, and Rentals. Moving around 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.
- Walking is the Best Way to Feel the City’s Pulse
- The Public Transport in Sofia
- M for Metro in Sofia
- Navigating the Sofia Metro’s Unique Charm
- Buses, Trams & Trolleys
- How to Buy Tickets & Prices (in 2025)
- Public Transport Options for Sofia Airport
- Getting a Taxi in Sofia
- E-Scooters & Bike Rentals
- Car Sharing (Short-Term Rentals)
- E-Scooters & Bike Rentals
- Renting a Car for Sofia
- Street Parking in Sofia (Paid Blue & Green Zones)
- FAQ Getting Around Sofia All Your Transport Questions Answered
- Useful Links
Walking is the Best Way to Feel the City’s Pulse
Walking is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant and highly recommended ways to experience the heart of Sofia. You can easily navigate the city center on foot, thanks to its relatively flat terrain and logical layout. A lovely and extensive pedestrian zone anchors the experience, forming a vibrant artery for the city’s life. This car-free haven primarily stretches along the famous Vitosha Boulevard and continues onto Graf Ignatiev Street.
As you stroll along the wide sidewalks, you will find a perfect opportunity to browse a variety of shops and boutiques. You can easily pause to grab a rich coffee or a delicious snack from one of the many local cafes and bakeries that line the streets.
This combination of accessibility, amenities, and quiet discovery makes a simple walk through central Sofia a truly delightful activity.
The Public Transport in Sofia
Sofia has an extensive metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus network operated by the Sofia Urban Mobility Center. The public transport services, especially in the central areas and where most tourist go, are very reliable.
The city’s vehicles run frequently, and the transit authority syncs their schedules with Google Maps for a better experience. Digital displays show the arrival time of the next vehicle; though rush hour traffic can challenge these estimates, they are usually accurate.
M for Metro in Sofia
The metro (subway) is the fastest option for traveling in the capital city of Sofia. It covers large residential districts and reaches the airport (Terminal 2)
There are four lines, and line M4 is a tourist favourite, it connects Sofia Airport with the city center.
A single metro ticket (also called a card) costs 1.60 BGN. You can purchase tickets from machines at metro entrances or from a cashier at the ticket desk. Remember to validate your ticket at the barriers before you enter. Once you buy a ticket, it remains valid for metro entry for up to 60 minutes. 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.
There are three major hubs where you can change metro lines:
- Serdika (or Serdica) Station is close to the older parts of the city center, the roman ruins, the museums and galleries
- NDK (National Palace of Culture) Station has its main entrance or exit on Vitosha Blvd. It is close to the buzzling are of the city center where many restaurants, cafeterias and bars welcome locals and foreigners alike.
- Sofia University Station is also close to some of the major tourist sights. In this area you will find the impressive building of the National Library, nearby is the Nevski Cathedral. And of course, there are many nice cafes in the area.
Navigating the Sofia Metro’s Unique Charm
Although the stations do not have rich decorations, they are functional for what they were build for. The Sofia metro even features a small exhibition area with ancient ruins at Serdica station. Do not miss it! It is located at the entrance to the Metro from the Halite (Central Market Historic building) or the Central Bath (now Sofia History Museum).
Names of metro stations are not related to their locations with some notable exceptions such as NDK-National Palace of Culture, Central Bus and Train Station and Sofia Airport.
- Vitosha Station is not on Vitosha Blvd.
- Serdika Station is not even close to Serdika Mall. Spoiler: there is no metro station near Serdika Mall.
- Sofiyska Sveta Gora Station (or Holy Forest, the poetic name to describe the many monasteries in the Sofia region, most often located in the mountains) is actually industrial zone and there is no monastery. The monasteries are in totally different areas, especially the touristic ones
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.
Bus lines cover all distant corners of the city. In some areas of the city there are dedicated bus lines and this makes them very competitive compared to taxis because the traffic jams in these areas are not affecting their schedule or at least, no much.
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. You can check the map for the night buses on the website of Sofia Municipality.
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 and you will be guilty with all consequences and fines.
How to Buy Tickets & Prices (in 2025)
You can pay for metro, buses, trams, and trolleys tickets 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.
Check the article on How to use the public transport in Sofia for a full and detailed list of options, some of them, very useful for tourists.
Public Transport Options for Sofia Airport
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.
Getting a Taxi in Sofia
Use Yellow Taxi, OK Taxi, the TaxiMe app, or Volt (a 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 Car 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.
Renting a Car for Sofia
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 and do not rant a car for travels within the city.
Street Parking in Sofia (Paid Blue & Green Zones)
The city center is divided into paid parking zones with limited spaces. In 2025 there are discussions in the Municipal Council. Some members want to extend the size of the paid street parking zones and increse the price. Others are oppose it, saying that the money collected from the parking are sinking and are not reinvested in better infrastructure.
As of now and until the end of 2025, zones are as follows:
- 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). You will see the road signs in all places with paid parking zones.
If you are driving an electric vehicle, that is great, as those park for free.
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.
FAQ Getting Around Sofia All Your Transport Questions Answered
Yes. In recent years the public transport service has improved. To and from some areas it might be quicker to use a public transport line than to travel by car to your destination.
Yes. The M4 line connects the airport directly to the city center (Serdika station) in about 20 minutes.
You can pay by debit/credit card or you can use a prepaid card.
No. You should tap your card or phone only when you get in the vehicle and not when you are about to get off at your stop.
The real time timetables are integrated with Google and you will find them on Google Maps.
The Sofia Municipality is trying to extend the bike lanes. You can see the map of the bike lanes on the official website.
The official rule is that you should be on bike lanes or the road, not sidewalks.
Use an app like Yellow Taxi, OK Supertrans, or TaxiMe
Both residents and visitors are confused by the paid parking zones. Read our article with parking tips. It will save you time and money.
Read this article to learn how to pay a ticket or how to deal with a parking clamp.
Useful Links
- Sofia Mobility Center, official page: sofiatraffic.bg
- Map of the bike lanes in Sofia: visitsofia.bg/en/what-to-do/bike-lanes
- Metropolitan, official page with detailed info on the metro system: metropolitan.bg
- The complete guide to taxis in Sofia: bulgariawithlove.com/the-complete-guide-to-taxis-in-sofia-how-to-get-around-safely-and-efficiently
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.
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