Traveling from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Sofia Airport (SOF): what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport is 2 hours 45 minutes.
Tel Aviv and Sofia are in the UTC+2 timezone. This means there's no time difference to adjust for.
Flights from TLV to SOF start at 04:50 — the earliest with Bulgaria Air. The last departure is at 22:00 with Ryanair. Overall, there are 19 weekly Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport flights.
To ensure you get on your TLV to SOF flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
A number of airlines offer direct flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport, so jetting to Sofia (and then discovering more of Bulgaria!) is easy. Leading carriers that fly nonstop include:
Bulgaria Air is the most frequently booked airline on this route.
El Al is the most punctual carrier that offers TLV to SOF flights. An exceptional 83.33% of its services on this route arrive without delay.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Sofia Airport (SOF)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport flight is $66. A return ticket is currently $115. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap tickets from TLV to SOF by booking at least 11 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
The cheapest month for flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest airfares if you have flexible travel dates.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from TLV to SOF is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport.
Handy information about Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Of the flights that depart from Ben Gurion International Airport, 72.9% land on schedule at their destination.
To get to Ben Gurion International Airport from central Tel Aviv, it takes around 25 minutes if you're planning to drive. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 13 miles from the airport to the city center.
Catching public transport? Expect a trip time of around 45 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to TLV? If you're boarding an early flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Sofia Airport (SOF)
Consider staying in a hotel near SOF if you have a late Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport flight. Pick one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Hit the road running by picking up a Sofia Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from MEX, Surprice or NU Car Rentals and experience the lesser-explored corners of Sofia and beyond.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride from Sofia Airport about one week ahead.
Getting from Sofia Airport (SOF) to central Sofia
From Sofia Airport, Sofia is approximately 7 miles away. It takes around 15 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of around 35 minutes.
When to fly to Sofia Airport (SOF)
August is the busiest month for flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport. For smaller crowds, visit Sofia in April.
When reserving your flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Sofia Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Sofia, with temperatures ranging from 57ºF to 86ºF.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from TLV to SOF in January. Average temperatures are between 12ºF and 45ºF then.
Explore more of Bulgaria
Sofia has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Bulgaria just waiting to be explored. Around 80 miles south-east of Sofia, a trip to Plovdiv will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Plovdiv Old Town, Plovdiv Roman Theatre and Archaelogical Complex Nebet Tepe.
Varna is another must-experience destination in Bulgaria and is around 240 miles east of Sofia. No trip is complete without a visit to Park Asparuhovo - Asparuhovo sea garden, Dormition of theotokos Cathedral and Sunset viewpoint (място за гледане на Залеза).