Plan your visit
Accomodation
Event venue
The PBI Conference will take place at Hyatt Regency Sofia – a 5-star hotel in the central part of Sofia.
50 Regency Standard rooms have been booked for PBI delegates at preferential rates, valid until 20 September.
Rates (in Euro): 160 € (single rate); 175 € (double rate)
For hotel reservations, please follow the pass-key instructions attached
Alternative partner hotels in the vicinity
Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel – a stylish 4-star hotel, located 500 m. from the event venue
Preferential rates (Euro): Standard room – 115 €; Executive room – 130 €
Booking deadline for preferential rates: 20 September
For reservations, please use the promo code “PBI2025” when emailing to reservations@crystalpalace-sofia.com
Intercontinental Sofia – luxury 5-star hotel, located 600 m. from the event venue
Preferential rates (Euro): Classic room – 169 € (single rate); 189 € (double rate)
Booking deadline for preferential rates: 20 August
For reservations please follow this link: PBI2025
Coop Hotel – an elegant 4-star hotel, located 800 m. from the event venue
Preferential rates (Euro): Single room – 85 €; Double room – 95 €; Studio – 146 €; Apartment – 187 €
For reservations, please use the promo code “PBI2025” when accessing the reservation link
Grand Hotel Sofia – a luxury 5-star hotel in the heart of Sofia, about 1,2 km. from the event venue
Preferential rates: 15% discount off the best price for any type of room, applicable upon availability
For reservations, please follow this link.
Visa information
Visa information for entering Bulgaria can be found on the following website: https://www.mfa.bg/en/services-travel/consular-services/travel-bulgaria/visa-bulgaria
To check if you require a visa to enter Bulgaria, please review the following documents:
If you require a visa, for the purpose of attending a conference in Bulgaria, the correct type of visa is C. Short-stay visa (type “C”)
Please consider that visa application process can take several weeks, so allow plenty of time to complete if necessary.
Visa letter
To request an official PBI 2025 letter of invitation for visa purposes, please email to pbi2025team@bnrbg.onmicrosoft.com and bgintrel@bnr.bg
Note: Online registration confirmation does not represent an official PBI 2025 invitation.
Practical Information
Currency
The Bulgarian currency is the Lev (BGN).
1 EUR = 1,95 BGN (fixed rate)
1 USD ≈ 1,70 BGN (variable rate)
Currency can be exchanged in banks or in the numerous exchange offices in the city.
It is recommended to use the banks, since some exchange offices can have unfavorable exchange rates and commissions.
ID/Passport is usually required for this operation.
Credit cards (Mastercard, Visa), are widely accepted, as well as payments with smartphones
Arrival & Transport
Vasil Levski Sofia International Airport (SOF)
- Location: approx. 8 km. from the city center
- Terminals: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
T1 is less used, usually for domestic flights or some low-cost airlines
T2 is commonly used for international flights
- Transport to the city center:
- Metro: Line M4 connects Terminal 2 directly to the city center.
- Taxi: Taxi is also an option and is accessible upon arrival, but pay attention to the operator, since some operators might have higher rates.
Use Yellow! taxi as the partner taxi of Sofia Airport. The cost of service from the airport to the city center should be around 20-30 BGN (10-15 EUR), depending on the traffic.
Volt Premium Taxi is also an option for convenient travel in Sofia. Rides are booked through an app.
- Bus: No. 84 and No. 184
Public Transport
Public transport in Sofia has an extensive network. Single ride ticket for all kind of transport (metro, bus, tram, trolleybus) costs 1,60 BGN (0,80 EUR).
You can pay for your trip on all types of ground transportation using a credit, debit card or smartphone on the devices located in the vehicle. For the metro you need to buy a ticket at the station.
Electricity
Bulgaria uses European standard plugs (Type C and F).
You might need an adapter, if you are coming from outside Europe or UK/Ireland.
Weather
In October the weather in Sofia is usually mild and pleasant with highs reaching around 20-22°C. In the evenings it might get chilly, so a jacket or a raincoat is a good addition to your wardrobe.
In case of emergency
The number to call in Bulgaria is 112. It works for police, ambulance and fire services.