How to get from Sofia Airport to Bansko
Bansko is about 160 km south of Sofia Airport. The drive takes 2.5–3 hours on the Struma motorway and then the mountain road through Razlog, and longer after heavy snow. There is no direct train, so most skiers choose a shared shuttle or a private transfer. Some companies also pick up from Plovdiv Airport and from Thessaloniki and Kavala airports in Greece.
Bansko transfer prices
- Shared shuttle bus: from about €22 per person in the ski season with BanskoShuttle.
- Private car: from about €80–100 per car with Steve Transfers, Bansko Transfers and Pirin Transfers. ExLimousine charges a fixed €135 from Sofia.
- Minivan or minibus: from about €170 for up to 8 people and €230–450 for larger groups.
Prices are per car unless stated, and most include ski bags. Winter prices can be slightly higher than summer prices.
Winter tips for Bansko transfers
Saturday is changeover day in Bansko, so book early for January and February. Check that your driver uses winter tyres and carries chains, and that ski bags are included. Ask whether the price includes waiting if your flight is late, and where you will be dropped off: some shuttles stop near the gondola, others go to your hotel door.
Bansko transfer companies
Local drivers based in Bansko and Razlog, like Pirin Transfers, Steve Transfers and BanskoTransport, know the mountain roads well. Larger operators such as Traventuria and Transfer Bulgaria also run shared buses and bigger groups.