Public transportation

[Updated on 17/02/2023]

Intercity Transport

In the State Agency for Refugees centers outside Sofia (such as Harmanli, Pastrogor, or Banya), almost everything is within walking distance.

To travel between towns and cities, use buses or trains. For more information on routes and schedules, visit Avtogari.info (only in Bulgarian). For train schedules, you can also visit the BDZ Passenger services website.

Sofia public transportation

The best and least expensive way to get around the city is through the public transportation system, including buses, trams, trolleybuses and the underground metro.

For detailed information, including schedules, visit the Sofia Urban Mobility Centre website. There are also mobile apps, such as Moovit: Bus, Rail, Tube, Maps and Sofia Public Transport, to view information and schedules on your phone.

Types of public transportation

You can travel by:

• Bus
• Tram
• Trolleybus
• Metro (underground):

Line M1: Slivnitsa — Business Park
Line M2: Obelya — Vitosha 
Line M3: Hadzhi Dimitar - Gorna Banya
Line M4: Obelya - Sofia Airport

More information about the metro stations you can find here.

Important transportation lines

• Line 260 (bus) and Line M3 (metro): Go to the Ovcha Kupel registration and reception center
• Line 78 (bus): Goes to the Vrazhdebna accommodation center
• Line 79 (bus), 11 and 12 (trams): Go to the Voenna Rampa accommodation center

Opening hours

Public transportation in Sofia officially operates between 5 a.m. and midnight every day. However, most transportation is limited after 10 p.m.

You can check the routes and schedules of the public transportation lines in Sofia on Urban Mobility Center’s website.

How to use public transport

To use public transportation in Sofia, you have to buy a ticket.

Some tickets allow you to use multiple means of transport for a set amount of time, while others require you to buy a separate ticket for each one you use.

Time tickets entitle you to use an unlimited number of transport within the specified time. Each time you change your mode of transport you must validate your ticket, and you must board the last vehicle before your ticket expires. Once you have boarded and validated your ticket, you can continue traveling after the time has elapsed, but you cannot change to another mode of transport with the same already expired ticket.

Cost

You get one ride for each ticket.

For more information on other types of tickets and prices, check this webpage.

*Cards and e-tickets must be used one at a time. They cannot be used by 2 people on the same bus or tram.

Where to buy tickets and cards

• Online

All tickets can be bought online at Mpass. You need to create an online account.  

• With a bank card in the transport vehicle 

You can buy a ticket with your bank card by holding the card up to the validator on the bus, trolley, or tram or at the entrance of the metro station. This way your bank card becomes your ticket for the duration of the journey. 

• At any office of the Centre for Urban Mobility 

Tickets and card passes can also be purchased from any office of the Centre for Urban Mobility. You can find their locations here. 

When purchasing cards and tickets, they will be loaded onto a plastic or paper card with a chip. If you do not already have one, it will cost 3 leva (approx. €1.5) for the plastic card (Sofia City Card) to be issued, and 0.80 leva  (approx. € 0.40) for the paper card (Ultralight) to be issued. If you already have any of the two cards, you can reload it with the ticket of your choice. 

One card may be used only by 1 person and it may have only one type of ticket loaded on it at any one time. 

• From the bus, tram or trolleybus driver 

You can also purchase a single ticket without the right to change transport modes from the bus, tram or trolleybus driver. This ticket, however, will cost you more - 2 leva (approx. €1)

• From ticket machines or ticket offices at metro stations

Metro only tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or ticket offices at the entrance of any metro station. Please note that once you buy your metro ticket, you must use it within 60 minutes in order to be able to enter the metro station. 

For more information on where to purchase tickets, visit the Urban Mobility Centre website.

How to use a ticket, card or pass

Ticket

Once you have a ticket, you have to validate it by holding it up to one of the validators in the public vehicles. Usually, there are at least 4-5 of these devices in every tram, bus or trolleybus.

In the metro you must validate your ticket here: 

If you purchase your ticket with a bank card it is not necessary to validate it in the transport vehicle in which you purchased it. If you are changing to another transport vehicle - you must validate again.

Daily card

The daily card must also be validated. Keep it with you at all times in case there are people checking for tickets.

Monthly pass

The monthly pass is a plastic card, which must also be validated upon getting into the transport vehicle. Keep it with you at all times in case there are people checking for tickets.

What if I don’t have a ticket?

If you don’t have a ticket you risk being fined 40 leva.

The people responsible for keeping the order within the public transportation system are called “controllers.” They all have the same uniform and you can easily recognize them.

If you are fined, you have to pay the fine on the spot. Then the controller will give you a regular ticket and you can continue your ride. If you refuse to pay, the fine may be increased to 50 leva.

The controller must show his or her official ID card. You cannot be fined if the controller does not show you an ID card.

Bringing luggage on public transportation

If you have a large piece of luggage, you have to buy an extra ticket for it.

With a ticket, you have the right to carry up to 2 pieces of hand baggage (including musical instruments), a stroller, or a wheelchair used by a person with disabilities.