Arrival brief · Sofia SOF
SOF Arrival Guide: Sofia Airport to the City, Without the Traps
Sofia's airport connects to the city by a cheap direct metro — the easy way to skip the notorious rip-off taxis. Take the metro or the official taxi desk, and never a cab that approaches you.
2026-08-26
What to expect after landing
Sofia’s airport connects to the city by a cheap direct metro — the easy way to skip the notorious rip-off taxis. Take the metro (Terminal 2, ~20 min to the centre) or the official OK Supertrans taxi desk, and never a cab that approaches you or a ‘lookalike’ with a rigged tariff. Bulgaria uses the lev — use bank ATMs (choose leva) if needed.
Option 1 — Metro (cheapest, scam-proof)
The metro runs from Terminal 2 directly to the city centre in ~20 minutes, cheap and honest — the single best way to avoid the airport taxi scam. Buy at the machine or tap a contactless card. A free shuttle links Terminal 1 to the metro.
Option 2 — Official taxi (OK Supertrans)
Use the official OK Supertrans desk in arrivals — they arrange a legitimate cab and give you a slip with the car number at an honest tariff. Or a ride app (TaxiMe, Yandex). Check the window tariff sticker, and never take a driver who approaches you.
What it looks like
SOF’s one big tell is the rip-off / ‘lookalike’ taxi — cabs with rigged tariffs, some mimicking the honest ‘OK Supertrans’ brand. The metro defeats it entirely for a couple of leva. Take the metro (or the official desk), check any taxi’s window tariff, and never accept a ride from a driver who approaches you in the hall.
Do this instead
Take the metro from Terminal 2 (~20 min), or the official OK Supertrans taxi desk (or TaxiMe app) — never a ‘lookalike’ cab or a driver who approaches you; check any taxi’s window tariff; and use bank ATMs charged in leva. That’s the whole SOF arrival, into an underrated capital.
Late-night arrivals
The metro runs until around midnight (check the last train); after that, use the official OK Supertrans desk or a ride app (TaxiMe), never a driver who approaches you or a ‘lookalike’ cab. Sofia is generally safe at night — take the metro if running or an official/app taxi straight to your accommodation, checking any cab’s window tariff.
Quick answers
What's the best way from Sofia airport to the city?
The metro is the easy, honest choice — it runs directly from Terminal 2 to the city centre in about 20 minutes for a very cheap fare, neatly sidestepping Sofia's notorious taxi scams. Buy a ticket at the machine or tap a contactless card. If you prefer a taxi, use the official OK Supertrans desk inside arrivals (they issue a slip with the car number and an honest tariff), or a ride app (TaxiMe, Yandex Go). Never take a taxi from a driver who approaches you in the hall, or a rip-off 'lookalike' cab — those are the scam. The metro is cheapest and simplest.
How do I avoid the Sofia airport taxi scam?
Sofia is notorious for rip-off taxis, including ones that mimic the honest reputable brand ('OK Supertrans') with a similar name or logo but rigged, sky-high tariffs. At the airport: take the metro (cheapest and scam-proof), or use the official OK Supertrans taxi desk in the arrivals hall (they arrange a legitimate cab and give you a slip with the car number). Check the price-per-km sticker on any taxi's window before getting in. Never accept a ride from a driver who approaches you inside, and don't hail a random cab outside. A ride app (TaxiMe) also fixes the fare. That sidesteps the whole scam.
Is the Sofia airport metro easy to use?
Yes — the metro station is at Terminal 2 (a free shuttle connects Terminal 1), and the line runs directly into the city centre in about 20 minutes, clean, cheap, and honest. Buy a single ticket at the machine or tap a contactless bank card at the gate. From the central stations you're near most sights, or a short walk/tram to your accommodation. It's the single best way to avoid Sofia's airport taxi scams and costs a fraction of a cab. If you have very heavy luggage, the official OK Supertrans desk taxi is the honest alternative.
What if I land at Sofia late at night?
The metro runs until around midnight (check the last train for your arrival), so for most evening flights it's still the easy choice; after that, use the official OK Supertrans taxi desk in arrivals or a ride app (TaxiMe), never a driver who approaches you or a 'lookalike' cab. Sofia is generally safe at night, so a late arrival is low-stress — take the metro if running or an official/app taxi straight to your accommodation. Check the window tariff on any cab, and have your accommodation's address ready.