Sofia, like many large cities, occasionally struggles with air pollution, especially in the colder months when heating and increased car usage contribute to poor air quality. In response, the Sofia Municipality has introduced the Green Ticket. It is a special initiative aimed at encouraging people to use public transport rather than their personal vehicles on these days
What Is the Green Ticket?
The Green Ticket is a one-day pass that allows unlimited travel across Sofia’s public transport network, including buses, trams, trolleybuses, and the metro. It costs only 1 BGN, making it significantly more affordable than other day passes or even one individual ride. The initiative aims to reduce private car use, lower emissions, and offer a budget-friendly solution for residents and visitors alike when pollution levels spike.
When and Why Is It Used?
The Green Ticket is activated on days when air quality in Sofia deteriorates due to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM10). These tiny particles pose health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. The need for such a measure is especially common in winter, when households rely on wood or coal for heating, and many residents opt for private cars over walking or biking due to the cold.
Air quality is monitored through official stations placed around the city, and forecasts by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology help determine whether atmospheric conditions are likely to trap pollutants. When the forecast predicts high levels of pollution or poor atmospheric dispersion, the Mayor of Sofia may issue an official order activating the Green Ticket for that day or period.
How Will You Know When the Green Ticket Is Active?
Announcements are made across several platforms. You can check the official website of the Sofia Urban Mobility Center (sofiatraffic.bg), the Sofia Municipality’s website, or look for updates in local news outlets. On the day itself, digital displays at bus and tram stops will often show a short message informing passengers that the Green Ticket is in effect. Additionally, social media channels of the Municipality and public transport services typically publish the news early in the morning.
Where and How to Buy the Green Ticket
The Green Ticket is easy to obtain. You can purchase it directly from public transport drivers, just make sure you have 1 BGN in cash and exact change. Drivers of buses, trams, and trolleybuses usually sell these paper tickets, which are printed in green to distinguish them from regular ones.
Alternatively, you can buy a Green Ticket at kiosks located at metro station entrances. These kiosks are found at key transport hubs like Serdika, Sofia Airport, Central Railway Station, and others across the city.
Once you have your paper ticket, don’t forget to validate it every time you board a new vehicle. Validators are located near the doors inside buses, trams, and trolleybuses, and at the gates in the metro stations. Failure to validate the ticket could result in a fine if you are checked by an inspector.
Using a Bank Card for Green Ticket Travel
If you use the Pay-as-you-go system with a contactless card or NFC-enabled device, you can still benefit from the Green Ticket pricing. On Green Ticket days, the system will initially deduct 1.60 BGN, the standard fare, but will automatically refund 0.60 BGN within 24 hours. This way, you enjoy the discount without needing to buy a paper ticket.
Just remember: the transport ssytem in Sofia works only one passenger per card or device. If you’re traveling with others, they must use their own cards or buy individual paper tickets.
Notes and Exceptions
The Green Ticket is only valid during the day and does not cover Sofia’s night bus services, which run from 11:30 PM to around 4:00 AM. These are marked with “N” and have a standard fare regardless of the special fare of the Green Ticket.
Green Tickets are not available for purchase in advance. They are sold only on days when the Mayor has issued an order activating the scheme.
As a small bonus, some people consider the Green Ticket to be a fun and colorful souvenir from their time in Sofia.
Extra Measures on Green Ticket Days
To further promote cleaner travel, the Sofia Municipality also offers free parking at all “Park & Ride” facilities near metro stations during Green Ticket days. This encourages people to leave their cars and use the metro instead.
In addition to public transport discounts, in winter months, the Municipality enforces low-emission zones in central areas. Older, more polluting vehicles without the necessary environmental classification are restricted from entering these zones. However, as a tourist, this is unlikely to affect you, especially if you’re using rental cars or public transport.
A Closer Look at Air Pollution in Sofia
The real long-term challenges with the pollution come from domestic heating and the usage of high number of old cars. Those cars are imported from other European countries and many of them lack modern emissions controls. There are small incentives for Electric vehicles and those are slowly growing in popularity.
NGOs and civic organizations actively monitor air quality and often criticize local authorities for not addressing these issues more aggressively. Some even operate their own sensors and publish data on air quality, pushing for more frequent use of measures like the Green Ticket.
Air pollution is not just a winter issue. Though most common during colder months due to heating practices and stagnant air, it can also occur during summer when dry air masses arrive from Africa. These carry Saharan dust particles that increase PM10 levels in the air. This natural phenomenon gives the sky a hazy appearance and is usually harmless, though still monitored by environmental agencies.
What Should You Do on High Pollution Days?
Locals often limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors. Kindergartens and schools cancel outdoor playtime. For tourists, it’s a good idea to plan indoor visits, museums, galleries, or shopping centers, or take a day trip out of the city. You can have fun in the nearby mountain resorts like Borovets or Bansko, or the beautiful Vitosha Mountain, or you can head to other towns like the picturesque Koprivshtitza and Plovdiv.