Sophia International Airport is located six miles (10kms) from the centre of the capital. Flights from 47 cities across Europe and the Middle East are serviced on a weekly basis, but the only domestic flights run between Sofia and the Black Sea towns of Varna and Burgas. The terminal has only basic amenities, but enough to get you started.

The Supertrans taxi counter is the place to arrange an official meter taxi. The fare into the city is reasonable, and since language barriers are a big obstacle in Sophia it offers the easiest transport option. If you are on a budget, you can opt for the cheap but slow bus number 84 which will drop you at Borisova Gradina. Alternatively, minibus number 30 runs between the airport and Ploshtad Nezavisimost for a cheap fare.

Sophia’s enormous Central Bus Station is a sparkling new facility with clean toilets and smart English-speaking information staff. There are a dozen coach operators running both international and domestic routes to most of Bulgaria’s main towns. The neighbouring Central Railway Station is a stark contrast to the bus terminal. Huge, run-down and uninviting, this is where both domestic and international trains arrive and depart.

The old city core is where most of the attractions are located. The best way to get around is on foot, but if you need to venture farther out Sophia’s public transport system consists of buses, trams, trolleys and an underground. Pubic transport is cheap and offers a day pass for unlimited travel.

Taxis are affordable and easier to use than public transport, because of the language issue. Yellow metered taxis are your best choice; just make sure the meter gets turned on. You’ll have to negotiate the fare with an unmetered taxi, as drivers are known to overcharge foreigners.