There are a dozen or so airports in Bulgaria, but only four are interesting to the tourists due to their location. These are the airports in Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv, each of them being an international airport, from which planes depart to almost 400 destinations. This applies to scheduled airlines as well as charter flights, whose peak season is in July and August.
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular airports in Bulgaria:
Sofia Airport (SOF) / Vrazhdebna
Sofia Airport (SOF) – mainly known as Vrazhdebna, is located about 10 kilometers from the center of the capital. It is the largest airport in Bulgaria, which in 2018 served almost 7 million passengers, which gives it a leading position in the entire Balkans.
For several years, a clear upward trend can be observed here in terms of the number of people arriving and departing from the airport in Sofia. This is associated with a significant increase in the popularity of Bulgaria as a holiday destination.
See on the map where the Sofia airport is located:
And now a few words about its history.
The history of this airport dates back to 1937. Over the next two years, the first passenger waiting room was opened, and after another two years the construction of a completely hardened runway was completed.
Currently, the airport in Sofia has two terminals: T1 and T2.
The first of them underwent a major refurbishment nineteen years ago and today serves flights of low cost airlines and charters. The T2 terminal was put into use in 2006 and it mainly serves scheduled flights. In addition, in 2006 the runway was extended (to 3600 meters), and in 2012 a new control tower was opened, which is one of the most modern in Europe.
Vrazhdebna airport in two terminals between which you can travel by bus offers its passengers duty-free shops (mainly with perfumes, sweets, alcohol and cosmetics), ATMs, currency exchange offices and a large number of parking spaces.
In addition, you can buy drinks and snacks here, but larger dining outlets are located on the T2 terminal, where you can eat. You can also rent a car at both terminals, but more car rentals are also available at the T2 terminal. In addition, passengers can use the mail service (at both terminals), store luggage or wrap it with foil, and wireless internet is available throughout the area.
Now an important note for tourists: Terminal 2 is adapted for the disabled.
How to get to the Vrazhdebna airport in Sofia:
When it comes to communication with the center of Sofia, you can choose from the metro (the station is located right next to terminal 2), buses (lines 84 and 384) and railways and of course taxis. The airport is the main hub for Bulgaria Air.
The largest carriers of this airport include:
- Lufthansa,
- Alitalia
- Austrian Airlines,
- KLM
- Air France,
- Adria
- Czech Airlines,
- Aeroflot,
- Turkish Airlines,
- Ryanair
- Aegean Airlines,
- British Airways,
- LOT Polish Airlines,
- Germanwings
- or Wizz Air.
See how Sofia airport looks from the inside:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRcjEt6awoM
You can find more information about Sofia airport on its official website. We look forward to your impressions and opinions regarding this airport.
Varna Airport (VAR)
Varna Airport (VAR) – is Bulgaria’s third largest airport, located about 9 kilometers from Varna. For this reason, it serves not only the coastal capital of this country, but also people who are going to the Bulgarian Riviera.
In 2018, this port together with the Burgas airport served over 5.5 million passengers. Of course, the busiest months here are July and August, the peak of the holiday season. However, increased passenger traffic at Varna airport can be observed properly from May to October.
See on the map where the Varna airport is located:
The history of the Varna airport goes back to 1916. Currently, passengers can use two terminals, as the second facility was added in 2013. Both operate scheduled flights, charter flights and low cost airlines.
You can do shopping at duty-free or souvenir shops.
When it comes to food outlets, there are numerous bars and cafes at the airport where we can get something to eat. At the airport in Varna there are ATMs and an exchange office, as well as over 200 parking spaces.
You can rent a car in one of the rental companies, return luggage to the storage room or use additional paid business lounges.
A playground has been prepared for the youngest, and free wireless internet is available for everyone. There is also a medical point open 24 hours a day and a special room for mother and child. The airport in Varna is adapted for disabled people.
How to get to Varna airport
From Varna airport to the city center we can get by bus line 409, which runs every 15 minutes, until late evening hours. Also, this means of transport will reach after about 50 minutes to Golden Sands, which is one of the most popular resorts of the Bulgarian Riviera. Another way out is to take one of the taxis that stand in front of terminal number 1.
Varna Airport is an international airport that serves over 100 airlines that fly to 173 destinations. The main carriers here are, among others:
- Bulgaria Air,
- Wizz Air,
- Austrian Airlines,
- British Airways,
- LOT Polish Airlines,
- Norwegian Air Shuttle,
- Germania,
- and BH Air.
For more information on Varna airport, please visit its official website. We are waiting for opinions related to the Varna airport.
Burgas airport (BOJ)
Burgas Airport (BOJ) – is Bulgaria’s second largest airport. It is located about 10 kilometers from the center of Burgas. In the summer season tourists land here to resorts such as Sunny Beach and Nessebar. Together with the Varna airport, in 2018 this airport served over 5.5 million passengers. The largest accumulation of tourists is as always during the holiday season. Something that distinguishes this airport is definitely a geographical location – on two continents (Asia and Europe), which makes Burgas airport also of strategic importance.
See on the map where the Burgas airport is located:
Burgas Airport has been in existence since 1937, however, it became the international airport only in 1970. There is currently one terminal in use that was built in 2013. Despite this, it quite efficiently serves both regular and low cost airlines and charter flights.
The amenities for passengers include an airport car park for almost 200 cars, duty-free shops and small catering outlets. In addition, you can use ATMs, exchange offices and a bank branch. There is luggage storage space, a good selection of car rentals and free wifi.
The youngest passengers can have fun at the playground, and a special room has been prepared for mothers with children.
At the airport, if needed, you can use the 24-hour medical point or buy yourself a place in the VIP room. The Burgas airport is adapted for the disabled.
How to get to Burgas airport
From the Burgas airport you can get to the center by city bus No. 15, which runs approximately every 15-20 minutes. In turn, from there you can go further to famous seaside resorts, such as:
- Pomorie,
- Sozopol,
- Nessebar,
- or Sunny Beach.
Another way to get to the center of Burgas is by taxi, which you can catch right after leaving the arrival terminal.
The main carriers using the Burgas airport are, among others:
- BH Air,
- Germania,
- Bulgaria Air,
- Ryanair
- Norwegian Air Shuttle,
- Air Baltic,
- Rossiya,
- Luxair,
- Swiss
- and Wizz Air.
See more information about Burgas Airport on the official website. Let us know what your opinions are about this Burgas airport.
Plovdiv Airport (PDV)
Plovdiv Airport (PDV) – is a relatively small airport, located 12 kilometers from the second largest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv. It is a substitute airport for the port of Sofia located 150 km away. This is the fourth airport in Bulgaria in terms of the number of passengers served. The airport in Plovdiv is often chosen by tourists going for winter holidays to Pamporovo, Borowiec or Bansko – popular ski resorts. Therefore, the highest passenger volume is here from December to April.
See on the map where the Plovdiv airport is:
Civil aviation began here in 1928, when a test flight took place on the Sofia-Plovdiv-Burgas route. Then in 1947 the first seasonal flights took place from Sofia, carrying passengers to the Plovdiv fair. As for the current times, a new terminal was opened in 2009, where 10 check-in desks were created. The ramp – parking lot for planes was also enlarged so that 13 machines could be here simultaneously.
When it comes to amenities, there are bars, cafes and shops at the airport in Plovdiv. You can even go to the Orthodox chapel or VIP lounge (for a fee). There are ATMs, car rentals, a baby changing room and a small car park (70 places, including 51 for cars).
At the airport in Plovdiv there is free internet and the possibility of wrapping luggage. As for people with disabilities, you can use the help of an assistant if needed.
From the Plovdiv airport to the center you can get a taxi, which will take about 15 minutes. On the other hand, for example to Sofia or Asenovgrad we can get by train or bus.
The main carriers that are served by the Plovdiv airport are airlines such as Monarch Airlines, Ryanair, Corendon Dutch Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Yamal Airlines, S7 Airlines and Thomas Cook Airlines. They are all seasonal charters!
You can find out more about the Plovdiv airport from their official website. Let us know what your opinions are about the Plovdiv airport.
Vacation in Bulgaria by plane!
If you are going to spend your holidays in Bulgaria, then buying a cheap flight ticket and choosing one of the airports in this country is a good option. Prices are not high and driving a car much more difficult, longer and more expensive.
That’s why if you’re going on vacation in Bulgaria, go by plane. Especially since there are a lot of first minute, last minute and all inclusive offers, which will certainly help you decide to fly to Bulgaria.
Opinions about airports in Bulgaria
If you have your experience with airports in Bulgaria, be sure to present your opinions in the comments! We are waiting for opinions because they are very important for every tourist who wants to spend a good vacation in Bulgaria.