Public Transport in Sofia Explained

Everything Eurovision visitors need to know about getting around the city

If you’re visiting Bulgaria for Eurovision 2027, chances are that Sofia will play an important role in your journey. Even if Sofia is not ultimately selected as the host city, many international visitors are likely to arrive through Sofia Airport, Bulgaria’s largest and busiest airport.

The good news is that Sofia has a modern, affordable and easy-to-use public transport system. This guide explains everything you need to know to get around the city using the metro, buses, trams and trolleybuses.

Why Public Transport May Be Your Best Option

During major events, traffic in Sofia can become significantly heavier than usual, particularly around popular venues, the city centre and major transport hubs.

While taxis and ride-hailing services are available, public transport is often the fastest and most reliable way to travel across the city. The metro in particular offers a convenient way to avoid traffic and travel between key locations quickly and affordably.

For most visitors, public transport will be the easiest way to explore Sofia during Eurovision week.

The Sofia Metro

© metropolitan.bg *Serdica is Sofia’s main metro interchange station and one of the most important transport hubs in the city.*

The Sofia Metro is modern, clean, safe and easy to use. It consists of four lines connecting many of the city’s most important locations, including:

Sofia Airport
Serdika (the historic city centre)
National Palace of Culture (NDK)
Business Park Sofia
numerous residential and hotel districts

Stations are clearly signposted in both Bulgarian and English, and trains operate frequently throughout the day.

© metropolitan.bg *Sofia Metro network map. The metro provides direct access to Sofia Airport and many of the city’s main accommodation areas.*

For most visitors, the metro will be the simplest and most efficient way to get around Sofia.

How Do I Pay?

© metropolitan.bg *Simply tap your contactless bank card or mobile device when boarding public transport.*

The easiest way to use public transport in Sofia is with a contactless bank card or mobile payment device such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Simply tap the same card or device when entering the metro or boarding buses, trams and trolleybuses. There is no need to purchase paper tickets in advance.

One particularly visitor-friendly feature is the daily fare cap. Once your accumulated fares reach the value of a daily pass (currently around €2), no further charges will be made to your card for the remainder of the day. You should still continue to tap your card when boarding, but additional journeys will not increase the amount charged.

This makes public transport both convenient and affordable, especially for visitors planning to explore different parts of the city during Eurovision week.

Detailed information on fares, ticketing and public transport services can be found on the official Sofia Urban Mobility Center website.

Travelling from Sofia Airport

The metro station is located next to Terminal 2 and can be reached by following the signs inside the terminal.

Metro Line M4 connects Sofia Airport directly with Serdika Station in the city centre in approximately 20–25 minutes.

Passengers arriving at Terminal 1 can use the free airport shuttle bus operating between the two terminals.

If you prefer a taxi, Sofia Airport is served by a single licensed taxi operator. Official taxis can be requested at the company’s desk in the arrivals area and wait at designated taxi ranks outside the terminals.

For more information on airport transport options and detailed step-by-step instructions on travelling from Sofia Airport to the city centre, read our From Sofia Airport to the City Centre: The Best Transport Options guide. For official airport transport information and the latest operational updates, visit the official Sofia Airport transportation page.

Getting to the Eurovision Venue

The official Eurovision 2027 venue has not yet been announced. If Sofia is selected as the host city, Arena 8888 Sofia is widely considered the most likely venue due to its size, accessibility and experience hosting large international events.

Once the venue is officially confirmed, we will publish detailed information on how to get there by public transport, taxi and on foot, together with estimated travel times from different parts of the city.

Regardless of the final venue, we recommend allowing extra travel time before rehearsals and live shows, as traffic around major event venues can be significantly heavier than usual.

Useful Apps for Getting Around Sofia

A few apps can make travelling around Sofia much easier during your stay.

Google Maps

Google Maps works very well in Sofia and is our recommended option for most visitors. It provides reliable public transport directions, walking routes, travel times and real-time traffic information.

Moovit

Moovit is another excellent public transport app and is particularly useful if you prefer a dedicated transit-focused navigation tool. It includes route planning, departure times and service information.

Sofia2Go

Sofia2Go is the official mobile app of Sofia’s Urban Mobility Center. It allows users to purchase and manage virtual transport cards and provides access to additional public transport services.

For most Eurovision visitors staying in Sofia for only a few days, we believe that simply using a contactless bank card together with Google Maps is the easiest and most convenient option. However, visitors planning a longer stay may find Sofia2Go useful.

Taxi Services

While public transport is often the most convenient way to get around Sofia, many visitors also use taxis for airport transfers, late-night journeys and travel outside the public transport network.

We are currently preparing a dedicated guide covering taxi services in Sofia, including recommended taxi apps, airport taxis, estimated fares and tips for avoiding common tourist pitfalls.

Once available, we will link to it here.

Useful Public Transport Resources

For the latest information on routes, schedules, service updates and fares, we recommend consulting the following official resources:

Please note that routes, timetables and ticketing arrangements may change. Always check the latest information before travelling.

Need More Help?

Looking for accommodation advice, practical local tips or information about travelling around Bulgaria during Eurovision 2027?

Visit our Eurovision 2027 Sofia Survival Guide, where you’ll find additional resources, recommendations and regularly updated information for Eurovision visitors.