ARRIVING AT SOFIA: You will need to fly to Sofia Airport. If you use some of the low-budget European air carriers, you will most likely arrive at TERMINAL 1. There is a free shuttle bus running between TERMINAL 1 and TERMINAL 2. Taxi services and a nearby entrance for the Sofia metro (subway) are all at TERMINAL 2. The metro is affordable and provides direct access to the entire downtown (Sofia Center) area. For the metro you do not need to buy a special card, nor a ticket: you can use your credit card (Mastercard or Visa) to enter the metro area; your card will be automatically charged 0.80 euro cents. Those transactions are secure and safe. The metro operates from 5.30 AM until 11 PM.
To access the metro, turn left when you exit the front entrance of TERMINAL 2. Airport entrance to the Metro (from Terminal 2):
Simplified PDF Metro map is available here:
https://www.metrosofia.com/images/maps/sofia-metro-lines-compact-2025-october-en.pdf
However, if you arrive with a big suitcase, probably the best option is to take a taxi from the designated taxi area at Terminal 2. Many streets in Sofia are not suitable for a suitcase on wheels. A taxi ride to the center will be about 20 to 25 euro. The designated taxi area is on the right side of ARRIVALS at TERMINAL 2.
ACCOMMODATION IN SOFIA: Sofia offers a wide variety of accommodation options, at relatively affordable prices. However, the closest hotel (within a walking distance, even with a roller) to the bus station that you will use to get to Plovdiv is Ramada Hotel From this hotel you can also easily access the downtown area. There are also restaurants nearby and an access to the metro station. Other accommodation options are available, and we do recommend that you stay within the Sofia Center Area. Another recommendation: close to a metro station and next to the famous "Vitosha" Boulevard (great location!) is Hotel Niky
BUS TO PLOVDIV: It takes about 2 hours to get from Sofia to Plovdiv. It is best to reserve your ticket with enough anticipation, as tickets usually sell quickly.
The ticket link will send you to the company Karat-S that we do recommend, buses are nice and schedules are reliable.
You will take the bus from the Sofia Central Bus Station (picture below) located at Bulevard Knyaginya Maria Luiza 100, Sofia, BG 1202
To get to the Central Bus Station with the Metro, take line 2 (Blue in the map above) towards OBELYA: your stop will be Central Railway Station (Централна ЖП гара).
ARRIVING AT PLOVDIV: When you arrive in Plovdiv, your final destination is Central Train Station (both buses and trains arrive there) you should take a taxi to your hotel. Taxis are usually available at the bus station. We will be happy to meet you at the bus station, if you provide us beforehand with your arrival information.
ACCOMMODATION IN PLOVDIV:Plovdiv offers many options for hotels, hostels and Airbnb. Our recommendation is that you stay within the Plovdiv Center area, where no use of transportation will be required (everything will be within walking distance).
