Bansko is a very popular ski resort in Bulgaria, just 155km southeast of Sofia, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. With a total of 75km of ski tracks and the ability to produce artificial snow, it’s no wonder its popularity is growing every year.




There are four main ways to get from Sofia Airport to Bansko. For a direct transfer from the airport of Sofia you can travel by either taxi, private airport transfer or shuttle bus. Alternatively, if you don’t mind connecting at the Sofia Central Bus Station, you can also take the public bus to Bansko.

4 options to go from Sofia Airport to city center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€96 120min 24/7
Convenience
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Taxi
€80 140min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Bus
€16.4 210min 08:30–16:45
Convenience
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Shuttle bus
€84 150min 24/7
Convenience
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How to get from Sofia Airport to Bansko by taxi

Choosing a taxi for your Sofia Airport to Bansko transfer is a convenient transport option. The taxi will give you a door-to-door service, picking you up at Sofia Airport and taking you to your exact Bansko destination. You can either use the official airport taxi company or prebook a private transfer online. The journey to Bansko from the airport of the Bulgarian capital takes just over two hours under normal traffic conditions.

Taxi fare from Sofia Airport to Bansko

The taxi fare to Bansko from Sofia Airport is approximately €80(BGN156.50) when riding with 4 passengers. Extra charges may apply for additional passengers or luggage, waiting time, advanced call-out or larger vehicle. For a guaranteed fixed price, you can book a Sofia airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Where do I get it from?

Taxis at Sofia Airport are available right outside the Arrivals Hall at both airport terminals. To ride with the official airport taxi company, OK Supertrans AD, approach the counters before exiting the terminal, book a ride, collect the slip and follow the yellow markings on the floor. They will take you to the taxi ranks. Show the driver your slip and pay at the end of your trip.

Convenience

Travelling by taxi to Bansko from Sofia Airport is a convenient transport option, but you need to be aware the trip is just over two hours long on average. This means you will have to sit in the vehicle for a long period of time.

Useful Tips

Check that the telephone number on your slip matches the number on the taxi side before getting on board. This way you'll know the taxi is legitimate.
Upgrade to a more deluxe or larger vehicle for a more relaxed trip to Bansko.
Taxis are metered and the final fare will depend on traffic along the way. Only private transfers, such as Welcome Pickups, offered a guaranteed fixed price.

How to get from Sofia Airport to Bansko by bus

To take the bus to Bansko, you first need to connect at downtown Sofia. To get from Sofia airport to the Central Bus Station you can ride the metro, a bus or a taxi from the airport. Once you’re at the Central Bus Station of Sofia, located next to the Railway Station, you can purchase a ticket to Bansko. Buses leave daily at the following times: 08:30, 09:45, 11:25, 13:15, 14.00, and 16:45. The journey duration is 3.5 hours one-way.

How much is the bus ticket from Sofia Airport to Bansko?

A single bus ticket from Sofia Central Bus Station to Bansko is €8.2 (BGN16). You need to also account for the cost of getting from the airport to the bus station in central Sofia.

Cost
€8.2
Trip Duration
3.5 Hours
*Prebooking is recommended to ensure you board the bus at the expected time.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Buses are available daily at the following times: 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.25am, 1.15pm, 2.00pm, 4.45pm.

Where do I get it from?

The public bus station is located in the city centre of Sofia at Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd. Enter the station and purchase a ticket at the cashier desks. Check your ticket and follow the signs to your Bansko bus.

Convenience

Choosing to travel by bus from Sofia to Bansko is not a convenient transport option. Routes are not frequent and you may end up waiting for long before the next available bus. Also, the journey duration to Bansko when travelling by bus is far longer; it will take you 3.5 hours on average. Finally, if you arrive at Sofia Airport you will have to transfer to the Central Bus Station, since the bus station is not located in the airport, but in the city centre of Sofia.

Timetables

Public Bus Schedule and Tickets

Sofia to Bansko

Useful Tips

If you travel with children, it is better to avoid this transport option, as you will need to make different stops and connections to get to Bansko
Some bus routes to Bansko from Sofia stop along the way and passengers board another bus to continue their journey to Bansko. Be prepared for such a connection.

How to get from Sofia Airport to Bansko by shuttle bus

The shuttle bus option to Bansko from the airport of Sofia offers the best value for money. Shuttle buses at Sofia Airport need to be booked in advance, so times of departure vary based on demand. There are different companies, but if you travel with Ski&Board Traventuria, single tickets for one passenger start at €19(BGN37) for a shared shuttle bus service. For a private shuttle bus service, a single ticket for a single passenger costs €25(BGN49) when travelling as a group of 4 people. Journey duration is 2.5 hours.

How much is the shuttle bus ticket from Sofia Airport to Bansko?

For a shared service the ticket costs €19 per passenger. The price for a semi-private service is €39 per passenger and for a private service it’s €84 per passenger.

Cost
€25
Trip Duration
2.5 Hours
*Fares differ greatly depending on number of passengers and type of service (private, semi-private, shared).
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Shuttle buses are available upon advance request at Sofia Airport.

Where do I get it from?

Shuttle buses at Sofia Airport are available to board outside the Arrivals Hall at the airport. Follow the signs to buses and contact your operator for more information.

Convenience

If you choose the private transport option, shuttle buses offer the most convenient transfer to Bansko from Sofia Airport after private transfers. The vehicle will wait for your arrival monitoring your flight, and the driver will take you exactly at your preferred Bansko destination.

Timetables

Shuttle Bus Tickets and Routes

Sofia Airport to Bansko

Useful Tips

Request that your driver speaks English if you're not fluent in Bulgarian. This will help with navigation and will make your trip more relaxing.
Some shuttle bus companies also offer ski packages and other services at Bansko, Consider booking transport and ski trips with the same company for a better price.

Sofia Airport private transfers

Powered by Welcome Pickups. Book a trained, English-speaking driver to pick you up for a fixed price with no hidden fees.
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Sedan

Sedan up to 3 passengers

€23Starting from 7.7 EUR / passenger

Peugeot 508, Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia
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Minivan up to 8 passengers

€34Starting from 4.3 EUR / passenger

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Minibus

Minibus up to 8 passengers

€34Starting from 4.3 EUR / passenger

Frequently asked questions

How long is the transfer from Sofia to Bansko?

Although this depends on the mode of transportation, you can expect a trip from Sofia to Bansko to take you around two hours by private transfer and 3.5 hours by public bus.

How far is Bansko from Sofia Airport?

Where do you fly into for Bansko?

How do I get to Bansko?

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Transfer Options in Sofia