Welcome / Sofia / Airport to Borovets

How to get from Sofia Airport to Borovets

Kathryn Shaw

April 18, 2022

Borovets, which was also known as Chamkoria until the middle of the 20th century, is the oldest and most famous Bulgarian mountain resort located 68 km away from Sofia airport, on the northern slopes of Rila. Known for its excellent ski resort, outstanding views and great hiking trails, Borovets is the perfect holiday destination for all.

So when travelling to Borovets, you will be landing at Sofia International Airport (SOF) with two available transportation options; you can take a taxi or private transfer, or take a bus from Sofia city centre. Taking a Sofia airport to Borovets private transfer is the only direct way, taking 1 hour 15 minutes. Alternatively, for a more cost-savvy travel option, you can take a combined bus journey from Sofia city centre, which takes 1 hour 30 minutes excluding waiting time and the transport from the airport to the centre.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Sofia at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€50	75min	24/7
Taxi	€45	75min	24/7
Bus	€7.60	90min	07:00–20:00

How to get from Sofia International Airport to Borovets by taxi

Taking a taxi or private transfer from Sofia airport to Borovets ski resort is a safe and reliable way to travel. Taxis in Bulgaria are inexpensive, available 24/7 and provide door-to-door transportation taking just 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach your Borovets hotel.

How much is a taxi from Sofia airport to Borovets?

Taxis in Bulgaria calculate their fares using a taximeter, based on the time and distance travelled and the time of day you are travelling. Your transfer from Sofia airport to Borovets should cost around €45 (BGN 78) during the day, and €55 (BGN 107) at night, traffic dependant.

However, if you want to travel with a local English-speaking driver at a fixed rate with no hidden fees, you can pre-book your Sofia private transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€45 (BGN 78)

Trip Duration

1 H 15 Min.

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Sofia International Airport

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can find the Sofia airport taxi ranks outside both terminals. Merely follow the yellow lines on the floor to reach the taxi rank. SOF has an exclusive agreement with the “OK Supertrans AD” taxi company.

Convenience

Choosing to take a Borovets airport transfer from Sofia International Airport (SOF) is undoubtedly the best travel option. Taxis in Bulgaria are inexpensive, reliable and the only direct transportation from the airport.

Editor’s Note

Ensure the taximeter has been turned on and switched to the correct tariff before starting your journey to Borovets.

Useful Tips

It is common to tip your taxi driver in Sofia; 10% of your final fare is the norm.

Please note that if a taxi driver accepts bank card payments, it should be indicated on their taxi window. Nevertheless, it is always best to check with your driver beforehand.

It’s been reported that taxi drivers in Bulgaria sometimes overcharge tourists by taking longer routes; let your taxi driver know you are aware of the price and use your mobile app to follow the journey.

How to get from Sofia International Airport to Borovets by bus

A more cost-savvy alternative for your Sofia airport to Borovets transfer is to take a combined bus journey. Unfortunately, no direct bus operates this route; you will first need to make your way to Sofia city centre South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug) before getting the bus to Borovets’ nearest town Samokov which takes 1 hour. Here, you will get a marshrutka (minibus) to Borovets, which takes 30 minutes.

How much is a bus ticket from Sofia airport to Borovets?

A one-way bus ticket from Sofia bus station to Samokov costs BGN 5, and a minibus ticket from Samokov to Borovets costs BGN 1.50, bringing your total fare to €3.80 (BGN 7.50). You can purchase both tickets directly on the bus in cash.

Please note that your end price from Sofia airport to Borovets will depend on how you choose to get to Sofia South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug) in the centre.

Cost

€3.80 (BGN 7.50)

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

The Sofia Yug Station bus and the minibus run every 30 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus from Sofia to Samokov operates daily from 07:00 to 20:00, and the minibus operates daily from 08:00 to 18:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

Sofia’s South Station is located in Iztok’s neighbourhood, and the Samokov to Borovets bus can be found on platform 2.

Convenience

Taking the combined bus trip from Sofia is a popular way to get to Borovets. Despite having to take two buses, both are easy to find and run frequently, making it a good option for those travelling on a budget.

However, you will first have to make your way to Sofia city centre for the South Bus Station which will add more time and money to your overall trip. Also, if you arrive late at night or early in the morning, you will have to find an alternative solution.

Editor’s Note

Whilst both the bus and minibus are comfortable, they do not offer amenities such as toilets, snacks, or USB ports.

Useful Tips

Please note that some buses charge extra for luggage.

Make sure to travel with change in the local currency, as it is the only way to purchase your bus tickets.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Sofia. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€50.0

NIGHTTIME

€60.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How far is Borovets from Sofia airport?

Sofia airport is located 68 km away from Borovets so it should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach by car or by taxi. If you’re travelling by bus, you need to take into consideration you’d have to travel to the city centre of Sofia first, then take the bus for 1h and 30mins, adding a lot of time and effort to your journey.