Practical guides to Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia, without the guesswork.
Getting in from the airport, riding the metro, picking a base and planning a day trip – written by Miles Prescott, the name our editorial team writes under. With the Cyrillic you’ll meet on the signs.
Your first trip, stop by stop
Five guides in the order you’ll need them – from the arrivals hall to a day in the mountains.
Explore Sofia
Straight answers first, then the detail: fares, last trains, opening hours and the words on the signs.
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First visit
Things to do in Sofia on a first visit: a timed walking route, opening days, a rain plan, EUR 2 Thursday museums and a two-day cost in euro. -
Airport & transport
From Terminal 2, metro line M4 takes about 20 minutes and costs €0.80. -
Where to stay
Where to stay in Sofia on a first visit: six areas compared by metro access, distance and a dated 3-4 star price sample, with a worked 2-night budget. -
Day trips
There is no public bus to the monastery, but a private shuttle runs from central Sofia for about €35 return. -
Food & drink
Budget eating in central Sofia, priced from four restaurants' own menus on 13 Nov 2026: lunch for about EUR 10-12, a day for two and a menu decoder. -
Getting around
A ride on Sofia's metro, bus, tram or trolleybus costs €0.80, and tapping the same contactless bank card for three or more separate rides in a day caps it at €2.00.
Day trip from Sofia
Rila Monastery from Sofia: shuttle, day tour or car
There is no public bus to the monastery, but a private shuttle runs from central Sofia for about €35 return. Compare it with guided day tours from about €25, a car and a missed-return plan, with costs and a day clock.
Read the guide- ИЗХОД izhod Exit
- ВХОД vhod Entrance
- МЕТРО metro Metro
- БИЛЕТИ bileti Tickets
- ЛЕТИЩЕ letishte Airport
- ЦЕНТЪР tsentar Centre
- СПИРКА spirka Stop
Latest guides
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Boyana Church: tickets, getting there and the Boyana waterfall hike
Miles Prescott, November 2026
Boyana Church tickets (EUR 10), winter and summer hours, the 9-person rule, which bus runs now and what is realistic with the Boyana waterfall hike.
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Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia: season, access and what to expect
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Vitosha Mountain from Sofia: how to get there and what to do
Start here
New to Sofia? Read these three before you land.
3 guides about 25 min of reading