for me it was the cheap price (£150-161 per pair of tickets back in July by burning some avios), the availability (when I booked back in July) & the comments on here about how easy a B2B is in Sofia.
…There was also a hope that Sofia would return to T3 (not only the better lounges IMHO, but it’s closer for me) but sadly that never materialised.

I was going to research this, but I thought it easier to ask the experts.

What's the options of getting into the city from the airport?

My wife and I are staying at the Intercontinental this coming weekend.

Taxi, train/tram etc?

Cheers, stephenjc

Take the Metro from the airport (Exit airport building, walk left to the metro station), buy a single ticket from the ticket machine for the grand total of 70p, take any train 11 stops to Sv. Kliment Ohridski station, should be around 25 minutes, the IC is right outside.

Honey - the Underground is ridiculously cheap - but you need to understand Cryllic, The stop is University and is a short walk made complicated as there is extensive work taking place outside the hotel. It will not disturh you but you should know. For less than 20 Lev - get a cab

The Interconti is lovely and the breakfasts eliminate need for lunch. See if youj can eat on Saturday at Chef - the food is excellent, The hotel will take care of the booking.

Great to hear, also staying at Intercon and I do love a hearty hotel breakfast!

What's the shopping like? I found 2 malls on trip advisor, but are they worth a visit?
Bulgaria Mall & The Mall

Also at the Intercon! Thanks for those, The Mall looks like it is worth a visit

Me too...

We're all on the same flight on Saturday, share a cab to the Intercontinental?

Thanks PUCCI GALORE and josh100 for the tips on getting from the airport to the hotel!

I'll take a look at Restaurant Chef for Saturday night!
is this the one? https://chefs-bg.com/

I really have no idea. I am the hand luggage Queen and as a result really do not shop that much as there is little room. I have only walked around Sofia and always go to St Sophia another little church that I love. When you have breakfast at the Intercontinental - there is a waiter in the dining room who I call the Incredible Hulk, He is a colossus - you cannot miss him, He is absolutely lovely and is absolutely on the ball. The Reception Manager is a blond lady with very short hair and she is absolute mustard. I love the place.

I'm doing a massive TP run to the west coast starting and ending with b2bs in Sofia. See you onboard on the 10th! My return is on the 19th though. Fingers crossed I can actually check-in for some of the sof-lhr-hel-jfk-clt-sfo segments :)

Yet another bus gate. Think I've had one airbridge on all my departing international flights from LHR this year ;)

1F, probably someone from here being a DYKWIA, decided to avoid the groups 1-3 queue and go straight through 4-9 in front of most people. At least they sent him back.

Metro from airport to the city (as has been mentioned) is 1.6 lev (70p)
You can also get a 4 lev (£2) daily ticket for metro, buses and trams

I did the Military Museum, loads of tanks, guns, rockets, planes (mainly MIGs) and a few floors detailing the military history inside to wander around. Is also in English

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral has golden domes for pics

Next door is a far more interesting, extensively extended over the years St Sofia Church, (as mentioned by PUCCI) . You can pay a nominal fee to visit the several levels of underground Roman crypt

Near the central station Serdica is the Rotunda the oldest building in Sofia, Which is strangely surrounded on all four sides by another building.

But one of the interesting bits for me was Serdica Metro station.
When they were excavating to build it 12 years ago, they just stumbled on Serdica, the old Roman city. This has now been incorporated into part of the station foyer and outside. If you then head East in the foot underpass from the metro, there are remains of many buildings and the Roman road all underground with big black pillars holding up the road. You exit by the Parliament building close to the Rotunda

I found a popular little craft beer tap room called High Five, just off the main pedestrian shopping street. Has a few great local beers, full of friendly locals.

Enjoy
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ffc1c9e19f.jpg
Rotunda
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f2d60c2b20.jpg
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...41defee073.jpg
St Sophia Crypt
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...766f0f7322.jpg
Serdica
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...681ff0de9a.jpg
Serdica
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a6f697605b.jpg
Serdica Metro
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a42698dfa2.jpg
Russian Orthodox Church

I was meant to be in 1D this morning but opted to skip - so enjoy the empty seat!

M

Arrived and turned left out of the doors into the warm sunshine and easily found the Metro station. Found a 10 Lev note on the ground at Manchester a little while ago, so that's covered my 1.60 fare (machine offered me a single trip or 10x trips only, unless I'm missing something?)

Did get approached in arrivals and asked if I wanted a taxi. No idea if legitimate, or the usual overpriced tourist scam?

Few seconds to validate the ticket and the barriers opened.

Very clean snd peaceful station although a train coming in sounded like someone was screaming.
Maps are in the local language in the carriages, but as from the advice earlier, know to get off 11 stops along the line at the University.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ba9fdae215.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea59dc96f5.jpg
Train carriage

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7c3a0705f5.jpg

Found the IC easily. Took the exit in the direction the train is going. Past the McDonalds, tourist info centre and up the steps. IC is 150m on your left across from some park (look for the casino and building works around a horse statue)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...84db25bf85.jpg

Booked a room with lounge access and got upgraded to an executive room? on the 1st floor. Room is as big as my house!

Some excellent tips in this thread for Sofia, really excited to spend a weekend there this month, thanks all.
Glad to hear the rooms are big we booked into an Exec room on a super cheap corp rate although from what I understand the Lounge isn't open in the usual spot but rather done from the same place as breakfast?