Sofia to Budapest flights
Budapest lies 631 km (392 mi) north-west of Sofia, -1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 34 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Sofia | Budapest | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria | Hungary |
| Population | 1.2 million | 1.7 million |
| Elevation | 562 m (1,844 ft) | 104 m (341 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Europe/Sofia) | UTC+2 (Europe/Budapest) |
| Nearest large airport | SOF, 8 km out | BUD, 18 km out |
Clocks in Budapest are 1 h behind Sofia right now, so a 1 h 34 min journey lands only 34 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Budapest
Crossing from Bulgaria into Hungary: money changes from the Lev to the Forint (HUF); the dialling code becomes +36; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648855.
Airports at each end
Leaving Sofia
Sofia is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Sofia Airport (SOF), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
Arriving in Budapest
Budapest is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), 18 km (11 mi) from the centre, whose 12,162-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport | BUD | 18 km (11 mi) | 12,162 ft | 495 ft |
Book a flight to Budapest
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Staying in Budapest
Our booking partner lists 6,485+ places to stay in Budapest (statistics below are from the first 1,000). Of the 841 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (587), and 26 are five-star. Across 864 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 9 out of 10. Guests have left 1,495,475 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Budapest
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Budapest from Sofia?
631 km (392 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Sofia.
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Budapest by air?
About 1 h 34 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Sofia and Budapest?
Budapest is 1 h behind at the moment (Europe/Budapest against Europe/Sofia).
Which airports are used for Sofia to Budapest flights?
Typically Sofia Airport (SOF) to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD).
What currency do I need in Budapest?
The Forint (HUF).
Where can I stay in Budapest?
Our booking partner lists 6,485+ places to stay in Budapest, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.