Sofia Airport – A Practical Guide For Travellers

If you’re flying to or from Sofia for the first time, Sofia Airport SOF (also named Vasil Levski Airport) is very easy to navigate. The airport has changed quite a lot recently, Terminal 2 in particular has seen some big improvements, with better shops, restaurants and a new business lounge, and there is still further development taking place.

Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?

This is the first thing to check before heading to the airport.

Terminal 1 is the smaller and older of the two terminals and is used mainly by Wizz Air, along with some other charter airlines.

Terminal 2 is the larger and newer terminal. Ryanair operates from Terminal 2, along with many of the major international airlines including Bulgaria Air and Lufthansa.

Don’t rely solely on the airline when deciding which terminal you need, though. Some airlines can use more than one terminal, so always check the terminal shown on your booking or departure information before travelling.

How Early Should You Arrive at Sofia Airport?

I would recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight, particularly if you’re checking in luggage or travelling at a busy time. Early mornings can be surprisingly busy at Sofia Airport. There are often a lot of flights departing within quite a short period, and I’ve found this particularly noticeable at both terminals first thing in the morning.

Security queues are generally quite manageable, but at peak times they can obviously be longer. Two hours usually gives you enough time to check in, clear security and reach your gate without feeling rushed. If you’re travelling to a non-Schengen destination such as the UK, I’d allow a little extra time to reach the gate too.

Schengen and Non-Schengen Flights

Since Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area, the airport has been reorganised to separate Schengen and non-Schengen departures. If you’re flying within the Schengen Area, you won’t normally have border control after security. For a non-Schengen flight, such as a flight to the UK, you’ll also need to pass through passport control before reaching the relevant departure gates.

It’s worth remembering this when you’re wandering around Duty Free or stopping for a coffee. If you’re flying to the UK, don’t assume that reaching the main departures area means you’re only a couple of minutes from your gate, you may have to queue again for 10-15 minutes at passport control. There are places to get food and drink beyond the passport control at the non-Schengen gates.

What’s Terminal 1 Like?

Terminal 1 is much smaller than Terminal 2. There are cafes and shops but the choice is fairly limited compared with Terminal 2. If I’m flying from T1, I tend to think of it as somewhere to get through security, have a coffee and wait for the flight rather than somewhere I’d particularly plan to spend lots of extra time.

What’s Terminal 2 Like?

Terminal 2 has changed quite a bit recently and in my opinion, is a much nicer airport experience than it used to be.

There are considerably more places to eat and drink, including coffee shops and an Eddy’s Pizza (my favourite!), where pizzas are made fresh to order. The shopping and Duty Free areas have also improved a lot over the last year or so.

One thing worth knowing is that airport food and drink can be quite expensive by Bulgarian, or even European standards. Airport prices are never cheap anywhere of course, but you might be surprised at the prices airside here.

The Business Lounge at Terminal 2

If you have lounge access, I really recommend the Primeclass Lounge at Terminal 2. The new lounge opened in March 2026 and is a huge improvement. It has food and drinks, work and relaxation areas and, best of all, a large outdoor panoramic terrace overlooking the runway. The terrace alone makes it a particularly nice place to wait for a flight when the weather is good. Access depends on your airline, ticket or lounge membership/card, paid entry may also be available.

Getting Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

If you find yourself at the wrong terminal, don’t panic. The two terminals are only around a five-minute drive apart and there is a free airport shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The shuttle operates 24 hours a day, with services generally every 20 to 30 minutes during busier daytime periods and around every 40 minutes during quieter periods. Still, it’s much easier to check your terminal before setting off, particularly if you’re travelling early in the morning!

Sofia Airport Metro

The Metro is one of the easiest ways to travel between Sofia Airport and the city centre. The airport Metro station is directly beside Terminal 2 and is served by line M4, which takes you directly into central Sofia.

If you’re arriving at or departing from Terminal 1, use the free airport shuttle to connect with Terminal 2 and the Metro. We’ve put together a separate guide explaining tickets, contactless payment and how to use the metro:

Getting Around the City – Sofia Metro Guide

Taking a Taxi from Sofia Airport

Taxis are another easy way to get from Sofia Airport into the city, particularly if you have luggage or are arriving late at night.

There are official taxi ranks directly outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, so there’s no need to arrange a taxi with someone approaching you inside the terminal. Just follow the airport signs for taxis when you leave the terminal and join the official queue outside.

If you prefer to have everything arranged in advance, particularly for a very early or late flight, you can also pre-book a taxi or private transfer. We’ve used both regular taxis and pre-booked services from Sofia Airport over the years.

Dropping Someone Off

If you’re being dropped at the airport, there are dedicated drop-off areas outside the terminals. At the moment, the controlled Kiss & Ride area at Terminal 2 allows up to 10 minutes free, (no return in one hour), which is generally plenty of time to unload luggage and say goodbye. 

Parking at Sofia Airport

There are short and longer-term parking options at the airport, including covered and outdoor parking at Terminal 2. If you’re planning to leave a car I would recommend checking the current airport parking information and prices on the official website.

Is Sofia Airport Open 24 Hours?

Flights arrive and depart throughout the day and night, but that doesn’t mean every shop, cafe, lounge or transport service operates 24 hours. This is particularly worth remembering if you have a very early departure or a late arrival. The Metro, for example, doesn’t run throughout the night.

A Few ESLB Tips for Sofia Airport

Check your terminal before you leave for the airport.

Give yourself at least two hours before departure, and don’t underestimate how busy the airport can be early in the morning.

If you’re flying to the UK or another non-Schengen destination, remember that you still have passport control to get through after the main security and shopping area, so don’t leave it until the last minute to head towards your gate.

And if you’re departing from Terminal 2 with lounge access, make time for the Primeclass Lounge. On a sunny day, sitting outside on the terrace overlooking the runway is a pretty nice way to finish a stay in Bulgaria.