A grand monument to former times:  Click for location & city map...

Sofia's main station is a grandiose structure, like a giant monument left from an empire long-gone.  Which in a way, it is.  Indeed, cash-strapped BDZ (Bulgarian Railways) is apparently struggling with the cost of heating such a huge space in winter.  However it has just undergone a major refurbishment and now looks quite smart.

Cash dispensers, left luggage, food & drink...

There used to be no ATMs in the station, but it's reported that one has now been installed.  There's a left luggage office in the great hall downstairs, see here for left luggage opening times & prices.  You'll find plenty of kiosks selling snacks & drinks all over the station.

Buying tickets...

Domestic tickets for travel today can be bought at ticket windows 1-13 at the lower level.  Domestic tickets for future travel can be bought from ticket windows 14 upwards in the main hall.  Until a year or two ago, international tickets & reservations had to be made at the special Rila agency office, but they are now sold by ticket windows 21-22 in the main hall, open 07:00-22:45 every day of the week, albeit with several 15-min breaks.  Credit cards aren't accepted, only Bulgarian currency in cash, but there is now an ATM close by inside the station.

Sofia station after refurbishment. Courtesy Malte Fuhrmann		Sofia station, main entrance...

The great hall at Sofia's central station, after refurbishment in 2016.  Courtesy Malte Fuhrmann

The ticket office at Sofia station.  Windows 21-22 for international tickets, open 07:00-22:45 (with several 15-min breaks).		The impressive Sofia metro will take you from the station to Sofia city centre, www.metropolitan.bg/en.

Walk or metro to Sofia city centre...

You can walk from the station into the city centre in 20 minutes, or ride the excellent metro, which is probably the most modern thing about Sofia.  The Sofia metro website is www.metropolitan.bg/en.

Sofia's national theatre...		Sofia's Alexander Nevsky cathedral...