London to Sofia (LHR–SOF) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
LHR–SOF is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Bulgaria Air and British Airways lead the route. The flight covers 1,268 miles in approximately 3h 10m. Beyond nonstop, 55 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB Bulgaria Air | 5 | 223 | 3h10 | – | – | – |
| BA British Airways | 4 | 32A | 3h15 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Sofia from London
| Metric | LHR→SOF | LGW→SOF | LTN→SOF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LHR | – | 25 mi | 28 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| Flight time | 3h 10m | 3h 3m | 3h 15m |
Travel Essentials
LHR: BST · SOF: EEST
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 8:00 PM in Sofia.
British passport holders enter Bulgaria visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least one blank page.
Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air and sea borders in March 2024, with land border controls removed in January 2025. Time spent in Bulgaria now counts toward the shared Schengen 90/180-day limit alongside all other Schengen states. Border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, return travel, and sufficient funds (roughly EUR 50 per day or equivalent in BGN).
Direct flights from London to Sofia run about 3 hours 10 minutes. Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN), fixed at 1.9558 BGN per EUR 1 (the country plans to adopt the euro). Euros are not legal tender but many hotels and tourist shops accept them. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals.
Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.
LHR–SOF Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LHR to SOF
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Sofia Airport (SOF) are connected by nonstop service from British Airways and Bulgaria Air. With 9 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
LHR to SOF Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LHR to SOF ranges from 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,268 miles (2,041 km). There are approximately 9 weekly flights outbound and 9 return, totaling 18 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
55 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via CGN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include London (LGW), Luton, Luton (LTN) and London, Essex (STN).