You found the most affordable airfare, booked it, and even talked a buddy into coming with you for the first three days of July, thinking, “Well, Sofia shouldn’t be that horrible.” However, the reality is that you have no clue who or what Sofia will become.
Then getting ready to travel to the enigmatic Bulgarian capital will be the most challenging aspect of your journey. A realisation we both came to after our conversation a few months ago was that visitors to Sofia typically have little or no preconceptions. While it is encouraging, you should nevertheless prepare yourself for what is ahead.
A few months ago, I was commencing the metro with some international friends (yep, Sofia has two metro lines), and they remarked that I should write about how contemporary the metro stations are. Well, I thought I’d build on that concept and provide you with a comprehensive guide on navigating Sofia. …and here they are.
My Sofia travel guide covers the nuts and bolts of visiting Bulgaria’s capital, from getting about to finding vegetarian food and activities.
Moving Around in Sofia
Transportation Systems in Sofia, Bulgaria
Transportation options include metro trains, city shuttles, buses, trams, and trolleys. The subway is the most functional option. It links pretty much the whole city to the core. One may take a train there from the airport. One ticket costs 1,60 BGN on all modes of public transit other than shuttles
All lines: $3 for a 3-day pass
Find out what kinds of package deals the public transportation system in Sofia is offering if you plan on using it frequently. The 3-day all-line pass is a popular option among tourists in the city. You can get it for just 10 BGN (Bulgarian Levs), which is around 5 Euros.
Here is a list of stores where you may get this card (or others like it):
How to Get Around Sofia With Mobile Apps
Google Maps does not always indicate the most efficient public transportation route, so if you need help getting from point A to point B, the official urban mobility centre has you covered. If neither of those options is exciting, I highly recommend the MoveIt app, which I’ve used on many times with great success.
If neither of them works, you may always resort to the tried-and-true method of stopping by a random person on the street and hoping they speak English.
How to Get from the Sofia Airport to the Center of Town
Sofia is a convenient vacation spot. There are flights accessible from nearly all major European cities. From the airport, you may use the metro, the bus, or a cab to go into the city of Sofia. A complete guide with instructions may be found here:.
Traveling by Taxi in Sofia
In Sofia, yellow is the colour of the taxi fleet. From the airport into the heart of the city, for instance, you can expect to pay roughly 12 BGN (6 EUR) and it will take you around 20 minutes.
In Bulgaria, there is currently no Uber service. In any case, the local app Taxi Me provides the same functionality. In Sofia, I find that Mega Taxi is the best taxi service.
Advice for Motorists in Sofia
Right-hand-drive vehicles are the norm in Bulgaria. As a result, the left side is for passing. In Bulgaria, the minimum age to obtain a driver’s licence is above 18. Headlight use is essential during all times of day and night, all year round. Inside of city limits, the speed limit is 50 km/h (30 mph). Top Rent A Automobile is a reliable car rental agency in Bulgaria.
A Note about Sofia Parking
When seeking for a place to put your car in Sofia, you need be aware of the city’s green and blue parking zones, as indicated by road signs. Sending an SMS with your licence plate number to 1302 for the Blue zone or 1303 for the Green zone is how you may make hourly payments.
Details about the Blue Zone’s pricing and operating hours include a 2-
hour time cap, a 2-BGN per-hour rate, and no parking fees on weekends between 8:00 a.m. and 19:00 p.m.
Parking in the green zone is only metered between the hours of 8:00 am and 19:00 pm on weekdays, and for a maximum of 4 hours. On the weekends, it’s totally free.