Sofia boasts an efficient and affordable public transportation system that includes metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, making it easy to navigate Bulgaria’s capital. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about using Sofia’s urban transport network, including ticket options, fares, tourist routes, and practical tips for getting around the city.
- The Metro / Underground / Subway
- Trams
- Trolleybuses
- Buses
- Tourist Buses at the Price of Regular Trip (Double-Decker Sightseeing Buses)
- Fares: What is the cost of the tickets for the public transport in Sofia?
- Paying Your Trip with a Contactless Card or Electronic Wallet (Pay-As-You-Go)
- Buying Paper Tickets for the Public Transport in Sofia
- Public Transport Schedule, Apps and Real-Time Tracking
The Metro / Underground / Subway
Sofia’s metro is the fastest and most efficient way to travel across the city. It consists of four lines, although Lines M3 and M4 share 13 stations before splitting, one heading toward Sofia Airport and the other toward Business Park Sofia. The direction of each train is clearly displayed on station monitors and announced in both Bulgarian and English, so with just a bit of attention, it’s easy to avoid boarding the wrong train.
The metro operates daily from around 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with trains running more frequently during peak hours. If you arrive at Terminal 2, the metro is the most convenient way to reach the city center. It’s also a preferred option for reaching key business areas such as Business Park Sofia or the offices near Vitosha metro station, which is next to Paradise Mall.
You can change lines at three stations: Serdika, Sofia University and NDK. When you change the trains, you can use the transfer corridors and you don’t have to exit the metro. You can continue your journey with the same ticket, you don’t have to validate new ticket or card (if you use the pay-as-you-go option).
Note that the validators in the Sofia metro are on the left side of the door that opens to let you in. If by mistake you tap the device that is on the right side, the next door will open and you will have a few seconds to pass.
Serdika station offers a glimpse into the city’s Roman past through a small exhibition of ancient ruins, while the nearby exit by the mosque leads directly into the heart of ancient Serdika (Serdica), Sofia’s name in the ancient times. At Lavov Most (Lion’s Bridge), the station’s design reflects the architectural style of the area above, creating a visually consistent experience underground.
Trams
Trams in Sofia are ideal for short to medium distances and operate on 12 lines that connect both central and suburban areas. In the city center, you’ll often spot them running along Graf Ignatiev Street, Alabin Street, and around St. Nedelya Square.
For tourists, Tram Line 10 is a charming option, it passes through the city center and continues into Borisova Gradina Park, stopping at the picturesque Ulitsa Vishneva stop, known for its quaint little house that, while not open to the public, serves as a visual landmark.
Tram Line 5 is another favorite, departing from a side street behind the Court of Justice and heading to the Knyazhevo district, a popular starting point for hikes into the nearby Vitosha mountain.
Trams also conveniently link the city center with the Central Railway Station and the Central Bus Station, making them a practical and scenic mode of transport.
Keep in mind that trams reign supreme on city streets. The law firmly favors them. They don’t stop at zebra crossings or pedestrian crosswalks, they always have the right of way, and their drivers won’t hesitate if you ends up in a collision with them.
Trolleybuses
Trolleybuses run on over 10 routes in central and residential districts. They are convenient means of transport especially in the tourist areas between the Sofia University and the NDK-National Palace of Culture.
Buses
Buses in Sofia cover the entire city, including many neighborhoods that the metro doesn’t reach. In addition to regular routes, there are four night bus lines that operate between 23:30 and around 4:00 in the morning, connecting major residential districts with long intervals, about one hour between buses. These night lines are marked with the letter “N.”
Tourist Buses at the Price of Regular Trip (Double-Decker Sightseeing Buses)
For sightseeing, Sofia also operates double-decker tourist buses on weekends, which offer scenic rides to more distant attractions such as Vrana Park (once a royal residence) and the spa town of Bankya. These routes, marked X43 and X50, run only on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:30 AM and 6 PM. While they offer a unique experience, they don’t require special tickets, standard public transport fares apply.
Fares: What is the Cost of the Tickets for the Public Transport in Sofia?
Sofia uses a unified ticketing system, meaning the same ticket works for metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses. There are three main types of tickets:
30+ is a single Ticket that allows you to travel for 30 minutes arter the purchase, it costs 1,60 BGN.
60+ is a transfer ticket that sllows you to travel for 60 minutes after the purchase, it costs 2,20 BGN.
Daily Pass that allows you to travel for the day an all means of transport, it costs 4,00 BGN,
The drivers in the vehicles (buses, trams, tolleys) sell tickets but you can use them only on the specific vehicle and you can not transfer to other vehicles. The price is 2,00 BGN.
Paying Your Trip with a Contactless Card or Electronic Wallet (Pay-As-You-Go)
The most convenient way to pay for public transport in Sofia is by using the pay-as-you-go system with a contactless Visa or MasterCard, or a mobile wallet on your phone or another NFC-enabled device.
The 30 plus or 60 plus ticket allows you to transfer within 30 minutes or 60 minuts after the first validation. When transferring, it must be revalidated in each subsequent vehicle. All tickets can be used with a bank card (Pay-As-You-Go). In the case of trips made with more than two 30 plus tickets within the day, paid with the same bank card, a daily card is automatically aggregated for the card you have used, all lines at a price of BGN 4,00. Finally, the amount due is calculated after 00:00 on the following day in which the bank card or the electronic wallet was used.
Just tap your card or device on the validator when boarding. You’ll see a green light, hear a beep, and get a message confirming the validation. If you’re unsure whether the payment went through, you can tap again within 5 minutes of the first attempt. If the light turns red or you see an error, try using a different card or choose another ticket option.
If a ticket inspector checks your fare, simply tap the same card or device you used when entering the vehicle. The inspector’s device doesn’t charge your card, it only verifies that your ride was validated.
Make sure each passenger uses a separate card or device for validation.
If your card couldn’t be authorized, it may be on a restricted list maintained by your bank or the Sofia Urban Mobility Centre.
Buying Paper Tickets for the Public Transport in Sofia
If you’re unable to use the pay-as-you-go system due to card restrictions or technical issues with your bank or the payment system, don’t worry, you still have options.
You can purchase tickets from the machines located at metro stations. These machines accept both cash and cards and will print a paper ticket for you.
For buses , trolleys and trams you can buy paper tickets from the transport vehicles but the price is 2 BGN and it is only for the particular trip, you can not transfer to other vehicles.
A budget-friendly alternative for short-term visitors is the Ultralight Chip Card. Ideal for tourists and occasional travelers, this disposable paper card costs just 0,80 BGN and can be reloaded multiple times. It supports only short-term fares, such as 30-minute, 60-minute, daily, or 72-hour passes, more than enough for most visitors.
Please note that one card cannot be used for multiple passengers, each person must have their own validated ticket.
For trams, trolleys and buses, make sure to validate your card as soon as you board by tapping it on the onboard validator. Random checks are common, and riding without a valid ticket may result in a fine. Be aware that some inspectors can be rather curt or unfriendly.
For the metro system, you don’t have to validate or buy a new ticket if you haven’t exited the metro and you are just changing the lines.
You can buy the Ultralight Chip Card at various authorized kiosks, including those at Serdika Metro Station, Sofia Airport, and the Central Bus and Railway Stations. A full list of locations is available on the official Sofia Urban Mobility Centre website, where they’re also clearly marked on a map: https://webportal.sofiatraffic.bg/bg/contacts
Public Transport Schedule, Apps and Real-Time Tracking
Google Maps provides accurate schedules for all metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus lines in Sofia. It also estimates travel times based on real-time traffic conditions and notifies you of any delays. You can even track the vehicle’s movement on the map as it approaches your stop.
You can check the news section on sofiatraffic.bg for updates and announcements related to all types of public transport. It includes route changes, service notices, and useful information about lines to Vitosha Mountain and nearby satellite villages often visited by tourists.
If pubic transport sounds too complicated and not fancy enough for your city explorations, you can find handy our Urban Mobility Guide full of useful hints on other means of transport such as car sharing, eScooters, eBikes & Bikes and, of course, taxis.