Sofia to Messina flights
Messina lies 826 km (513 mi) south-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 49 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 | Messina | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria | Italy |
| Population | 1.2 million | 219,948 |
| Elevation | 562 m (1,844 ft) | 29 m (95 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Europe/Sofia) | UTC+2 (Europe/Rome) |
| Nearest large airport | SOF, 8 km out | CTA, 91 km out |
Clocks in Messina are 1 h behind Sofia right now, so a 1 h 49 min journey lands only 49 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Messina
Crossing from Bulgaria into Italy: money changes from the Lev to the Euro (EUR); sockets are Euro, Schuko, Type L; the dialling code becomes +39; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q11185210.
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 Messina
Messina is served by 3 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), 91 km (57 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 7,989 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Lamezia Terme Sant'Eufemia International Airport (SUF, 100 km), Reggio Calabria Airport (REG, 16 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catania-Fontanarossa Airport | CTA | 91 km (57 mi) | 7,989 ft | 39 ft |
| Lamezia Terme Sant'Eufemia International Airport | SUF | 100 km (62 mi) | 9,898 ft | 39 ft |
| Reggio Calabria Airport (regional) | REG | 16 km (10 mi) | 6,549 ft | 96 ft |
Book a flight to Messina
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Messina
Live rooms and prices for Messina are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Messina
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 Messina from Sofia?
826 km (513 mi) in a straight line, south-west of Sofia.
How long does it take to get from Sofia to Messina by air?
About 1 h 49 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 Messina?
Messina is 1 h behind at the moment (Europe/Rome against Europe/Sofia).
Which airports are used for Sofia to Messina flights?
Typically Sofia Airport (SOF) to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA); Messina also has SUF, REG.
What currency do I need in Messina?
The Euro (EUR).
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.