The Very Best Ways to Get Around Sofia
Bulgaria’s capital city has a population of just over 1.2million, making it a small city by European standards. The suburbs spread out towards the nearby mountains, however, the centre is very compact and easily walkable. Sofia has been inhabited since at least 7,000 BC and is full on ancient monuments. During Roman times, the city was known as Serdica. Evidence of this can still be seen in the city’s metro stations Serdika 1 and Serdika 2. Bulgaria’s ancient capital is a wonderful city to explore and, in this post, we detail all the best ways to get around Sofia.
The Best Ways to Get Around Sofia – Walk
As we mentioned, this is a very walkable city. Exploring on foot is one of the best ways to get around Sofia. The first time we visited, we took a free walking tour of the city in the morning. This gave us the afternoon to revisit any sites that were worth a closer look. And there are many!
If you are walking around tourist areas, take the same precautions as you would anywhere. Don’t walk through parks in the dark and keep an eye on your belongings. Other than that, walking around Sofia is perfectly safe and really enjoyable.
Public Transport
Sofia has a really great public transport system. Most aspects are well integrated and the new contactless ticketing system makes travel really easy. Check HERE to download the app before your visit.
The Best Ways to Get Around Sofia – Metro
Sofia is very well connected by public transport. It is efficient, extensive, cheap and safe. We used the Metro a lot when we visited in the winter. There are 4 lines that cover most of the city, as well as the airport.
The pricing is also super easy on the metro system, making it a really great way to get around Sofia! You can not longer buy a paper ticket as of March 2023. However, their contactless system is so much easier! You just need to tap your phone or card on the entry barrier and your card is charged. Using the same bank card more than twice in a day incurs 4 levs (€2) “Day Ticket” charge. This is all you will be charged for using the system all day.
Make sure you stop off at Serdika 1 and Serdika 2 for a look at the amazing Roman findings. These were uncovered a few years ago when they were digging up the space for the new Metro stations. We actually missed a few trains as it’s such an interesting place! You don’t even need a Metro ticket, you can view the ruins even if you are just passing through.
The metro trains operate from 5:26 am to 11:49 pm (business days) and from 5:27 am to 11:33 pm (weekends and public holidays).
Sofia Airport to Sofia
We find the Metro is the easiest way to get between Sofia and the airport. The journey takes around 20 minutes from T2 to the city centre. Sofia Airport metro station of M4 is next to the building of Terminal 2 of the airport. If you arrive in T1, there is a free bus to T2.
The Metro has always been a very safe way for us to travel. However, always make sure you take the usual precautions when using public transport.
Take the Bus
The bus system is just as effective as the metro. You can find an interactive route map HERE. You can buy a ticket when boarding any of the buses that have a validator. Simply place your debit or credit card close to a validator and wait for the beep. The price of a single trip travel card is 1.60 BGN. There are validators located on most of the buses.
Alternatively, there are kiosks and offices of “Centre for urban mobility” around Sofia. Here you can also purchase monthly cards, etc. They are mostly located at the larger Metro or bus stations, such as the National Palace of Culture and Serdika.
The Best Ways to Get Around Sofia – Tram
The trams run in much the same way as the buses and the Metro lines. They just help to cover a bit more of the city. The trams run from 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM and tickets can be bought on the app and onboard with a debit/credit card. The tram network first began operation on January 1, 1901 so it is a really traditional way to get around Sofia.
Call a Taxi
There is no Uber in Bulgaria. However, taxis are still a pretty cheap way of getting around, especially over longer distances. All taxis in Sofia are yellow and have a TAXI sign on the roof. Here’s a local tip for you, the battered old cars will generally cost you more for your trip. This is because the bigger taxi companies replace their fleet more regularly and offer a more competitive price.
There should be a price tag per km under the windscreen or on the glove compartment. This is always worth checking. You can flag a car off the street, take one from a taxi rank or just call up and order one.
The Best Ways to Get Around Sofia – Cable Car
If you are lucky enough to be venturing towards the mountains, you will also be able to travel by cable car. The Simeonovo lift will take you from the outskirts of the city, up to 1,804m high where you can enjoy the views from the oldest chalet in Bulgaria – Aleko.
The Simeonovo lift is open from 8:30 am – 04:30 pm and the is accessible via bus lines 122 and 123.
Get Out of the City
Sofia is an incredible city and it is worth spending at least 3 days here. However, if you plan to get out of the capital and explore some of rural Bulgaria, we would recommend hiring a car or even booking an organised trip. Places like the Rila Lakes, Plovdiv and the Belogradchik Rocks are all really worth exploring.
If you are going further afield, the train station in Sofia might be the best place to start. From here you can travel cross country to towns like Varna and Burgas. There are so many amazing places to discover in Bulgaria!
More Info
- Sofia tourist info can be found HERE
- Bulgaria tourist info can be found HERE
- FREE HIKING TOUR takes a very similar route with groups of 2 – 20 people
Where to go next?
Got some time in Sofia? Check out these Off the Beaten Track Things to Do in Sofia
Final note: Things change often when travelling in the Balkans and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Sofia or Bulgaria? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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