Overview
Sofia's public transport system is centred on the Sofia Metro (Софийски метрополитен, Sofiyski Metropoliten), the rapid transit network that began operation on 28 January 1998. As a visitor, you'll use the metro to reach the city centre from the airport, move between major districts, and connect to buses and trams. The system is modern and straightforward: you purchase or tap a ticket at the barrier, ride to your destination, and exit. Tickets are valid for either the metro alone or combined metro-and-ground-transport journeys, depending on the type you choose. The metro runs from 05:30 to 24:00 daily.
The network
Sofia Metro has four interconnected lines serving 47 stations across 52.0 kilometres (32.3 miles) and ranking among Europe's top 15 most extensive metro systems.
Metro lines
- M1 (Red line) – connects Lyulin district in the west through the city centre (Serdika station) to Mladost and Business Park Sofia in the east, serving the densely populated western and eastern residential areas.
- M2 (Blue line) – runs from Vitosha in the south through the city centre to Obelya in the north, passing through the National Palace of Culture and Central Railway Station.
- M4 (Yellow line) – operates from Slivnitsa in the northwest to Sofia Airport in the northeast, branching from M2 at Obelya and serving Vasil Levski Sofia Airport.
- M3 (Green line) – the newest line, running from Ovcha Kupel in the southwest to Vasil Levski neighbourhood in the northeast via the city centre, with transfer stations connecting to M1 and M2. The line opened in stages: the first eight stations on 26 August 2020, another four on 24 April 2021, and three additional stations on 28 July 2026.
Other public transport
Sofia's public transport network also includes buses, trams, and trolleybuses operating throughout the city. Night buses (N1–N4) run hourly between midnight and 04:00, converging at Knyaz Alexander Square in the city centre. Trams operate on dedicated tracks and are relatively reliable, though buses may experience traffic delays. All modes of transport use the same unified ticketing system.
Tickets & fares
Single journey tickets
- Single ticket (metro only) – 0.80 EUR (approximately 1.86 BGN) – valid for 60 minutes from issuance at a specific station; no transfers allowed.
- Ticket 30+ (metro with ground transfers) – 0.80 EUR – allows transfers between metro and buses/trams within the first 30 minutes; after your final validation within 30 minutes, you can complete your journey without time limit.
- Ticket 60+ (metro with ground transfers) – 1.10 EUR (approximately 2.15 BGN) – allows transfers within 60 minutes; same rules as Ticket 30+ apply after your final validation.
Day and period passes
- One-day card – 2.00 EUR (approximately 3.91 BGN) – unlimited travel on all modes.
- 24-hour card – 3.00 EUR (approximately 5.87 BGN) – unlimited travel including night transport.
- 72-hour card – 7.60 EUR (approximately 14.86 BGN) – unlimited travel including night transport.
- Monthly pass (all modes, non-personalized) – 35.50 EUR (approximately 69.52 BGN).
- Monthly pass (all modes, personalized) – 25.50 EUR (approximately 49.94 BGN).
- Yearly pass (all modes, non-personalized) – 305.00 EUR (approximately 597.28 BGN).
- Yearly pass (all modes, personalized) – 185.00 EUR (approximately 362.29 BGN).
- Youth passes (under 25 for monthly, under 26 for yearly) – significantly reduced rates with personalization required.
Children under 7 travel free. These fares are approximate and subject to change; confirmation of current prices is recommended before purchase.
Payment methods and cards
You can pay using contactless credit or debit cards directly at metro barriers and validators on buses and trams, without needing a separate ticket. Alternatively, you can load tickets onto reusable smartcards: the Sofia City Card (one-time cost 1.50 EUR) accepts all ticket and pass types and can be personalized, or the budget Ultralight Card (0.40 EUR one-time cost) for occasional users with limited pass options. Paper tickets are also available for 0.80 EUR at metro ticket machines and cashier desks, valid for 30 minutes with unlimited line changes on the metro.
Where to buy
Purchase tickets and passes at metro station ticket machines and cashier desks, or via contactless payment at validators. You can also buy them at the Center of Urban Mobility desks. At Sofia Airport, single tickets (0.80 EUR) are available from ticket machines, and a day pass for all public transport costs approximately 4.00 EUR (4 BGN).
Fare enforcement
Travelling without a valid ticket incurs a fine of 20 EUR.
From the airport
Sofia Airport (Летище "Васил Левски" - София, Vasil Levski Airport) lies 9 km east of the city centre. Three public transport options connect the airport to the city.
Metro (M4 Yellow line)
The most convenient option for most visitors. M4 operates between the airport and the city centre from 05:30 to 24:00. The metro stop is a few metres outside Terminal 2; follow signs for "Subway" until you exit the southeast corner of the terminal building. The journey to the city centre takes 20–30 minutes. A single ticket costs 0.80 EUR. You no longer need an extra ticket for large luggage. A day pass for all modes of public transport is approximately 4.00 EUR. Ticket vending machines and access gates accept contactless credit cards and payment apps such as Apple Pay.
Bus (routes 84 and 184)
Public buses 84 and 184 operate service between both terminals and the city centre, taking 30–40 minutes. Tickets cost 0.80 EUR per single journey and can be purchased from news stands, ticket machines at the airport, or via contactless payment aboard (an extra ticket for large luggage is no longer required). The buses make a stop at Orlov Most (Sofia University metro station), where you can transfer to the metro.
Taxi
Taxi service from the airport is regulated. OK Supertrans AD is the only contracted taxi operator. Request a taxi from the official taxi stand to the right when you leave arrivals, or from the taxi office adjacent to the baggage reclaim exit. Avoid touts and unofficial taxis with fake "OK" logos waiting outside the terminal. A regulated taxi to the city centre costs approximately 15 EUR, calculated at an initial fee of 1.50 EUR (1.70 EUR at night), 0.75 EUR per kilometre during the day (0.85 EUR at night), and 0.25 EUR per minute of waiting time. You can also book via the Ridenow Taxi app.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing – Queue at metro barriers and when boarding buses and trams, especially during peak hours (08:00–09:00 and 17:00–18:00 on weekdays).
- Escalators – Stand on the right side of escalators to allow faster passengers to walk past on the left.
- Priority and reserved seating – Yield seats to elderly passengers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and parents with small children. Priority seating is usually marked.
- Eating and drinking – Avoid eating and drinking on the metro; it is generally discouraged or prohibited. Water bottles are usually acceptable.
- Noise and behaviour – Keep noise to a minimum. Loud conversations and phone calls are considered impolite. Listen to music with headphones only.
- Rush-hour behaviour – During morning and evening peaks, the metro can be very crowded. Stand clear of the doors, let passengers exit before boarding, and do not block aisles with bags or luggage.
- Ticket validation – Always validate your ticket at the barrier when entering and (if required by your ticket type) when transferring to other transport modes.
Survival terms
- Софийски метрополитен / Sofiyski Metropoliten – Sofia Metro / subway
- Билет / Bilet – ticket
- Линия / Liniya – line
- Вход / Vkhod – entrance
- Изход / Izhod – exit
- Трансфер / Transfer – transfer
- Еденична карта / Edenitchna karta – single fare / single ticket
- Дневна карта / Dnevna karta – day pass
Keep your ticket or contactless payment method ready at all times, as inspectors may ask to see proof of a valid fare, and always validate your ticket at the barriers to avoid the 20 EUR fine for fare evasion.