Travel and Logistics
Venue
Sofia Tech Park (Cybersecurity Lab, ESI), Sofia, Bulgaria
Accommodation
Sofia is generally a safe and well-interconnected city. This being said, we would generally recommend choosing hotels in the centrum, as the areas near the conference location are not tourist-friendly (fewer places to eat and visit). Nevertheless, avoid hotels around the Central Bus and Railway Stations and near Pirotska Str., and Maria Luiza Blvd.
Please note that we have not arranged any special accommodation rates with local hotels for this conference. However, there are a variety of lodging options nearby to suit different budgets and preferences. For convenience, here are a few tested and approved hotel recommendations:
In the City Center
- Best Western Art Plaza Hotel
- Address: 46, Hristo Belchev str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Hotel COOP
- Address: 30, Iskar Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Hotel Anel
- Address: 14, Todor Alexandrov Bul., 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
Near the Conference Venue
There are several hotels conveniently located within approximately 1 km of the conference venue, Cyres Lab at Sofia Tech Park. Many of these options are within a 20-minute walk, offering easy access for conference attendees.
- Hotel Novotel Sofia
- Address: 115 N, Boulevard “Tsarigradsko shose” Blvd, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
- B1 City Hotel Sofia
- Address: Boyan Damyanov Street 2, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Metropolitan Hotel Sofia
- Address: 64, Boulevard “Tsarigradsko shose” blvd, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
How to get to the venue?
Sofia Tech Park is accessible via the exit lane from Blvd. “Asen Yordanov” and a new opening to Street “Ambassador James Pardue”, Street “Gen. Yordan Venedikov” and the entrance-exits of the Park – “B”, “C”, “D” and “E”. The park is also accessible via the local lane from the Blvd. “Tsarigradsko shose” – entrance-exit “E”.
The pedestrian access is available from the Aviation Square, as well as through the pedestrian bridge over Tsarigradsko Shousse.
For your convenience, the conference venue is accessible by various transportation options. Please allow extra time during peak hours to ensure a smooth arrival. We hope this information helps with your planning and look forward to welcoming you! You could also simply enter your location here.
While we have not arranged dedicated transportation, here are some details to help you plan your journey:
Public Transport
The public transport in Sofia consists of:
- Ground Transport – buses, trams (tramways), and trolleybuses
- Underground – Metro
The conference venue, CyResLab (Cybersecurity Lab), Sofia Tech Park, is well-connected via public transit, making it easy to reach from various parts of the city. For convenient routes and schedules, please refer to the Sofia Urban Mobility Center, or use Google Maps and Moovit by simply entering your location.
You have several options for purchasing tickets:
- On Board by Card: Passengers can pay for a single trip (1.60 BGN / approx. 0.82 EUR) by simply tapping their contactless credit or debit card (or an NFC-enabled mobile wallet) on the vehicle’s on-board machine or the metro entrance gates. There is a daily fare cap of 4 BGN (approx. 2 EUR), allowing unlimited travel on public transport after three rides. This is automatically calculated as you tap for each journey.
- On Board by Cash: You may also purchase a ticket directly from the driver for 2 BGN (BGN only / ~ 1 EUR /). Please note that tickets bought from the driver must be validated at the machines on the vehicle.
- Online or App: Tickets can also be purchased through Sofia’s official transportation app, available for download. Additionally, some stops have ticket booths where you can purchase tickets in advance.
Key Stops near Sofia Tech Park:
Below are nearby stops (in Square Brackets are written the stops’ numbers) along with their lines and directions:
- Stop “Sofia Tech Park” [0579] (in a local lane of Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd → Mladost): Trolleybus lines 3 and 5.
- Stop “Sofia Tech Park” [0576] (in the local lane of Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd → Center): Bus line E73, and trolleybus lines 3 and 5.
- Stop “Sofia Tech Park” [2795] (in the local lane of Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd → Aviation Square): Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6.
- Stop “St. Anna Hospital” [1196] (→ Center): Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6, 76, 84, 184, 204, 213, 304, 305, 604, N1.
- Stop “St. Anna Hospital” [1194] : Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6, 76, 84, 184, 204, 213, 304, 305, 604, N1.
- Stop “Aviation Square” [1260] (→ “Druzhba” district 1): Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6, E123, E288, and trolleybus lines 4 and 11.
- Stop “Aviation Square” [1258] (→ Center): Bus lines E73, 280, 305, N1, and trolleybus lines 3 and 5.
- Stop “Sports Hall Arena Sofia [2616] (→ Center): Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6, E123, E288, and trolleybus lines 4 and 11.
- Stop “Aviation Square” [1259] : Bus lines E123 and E288.
- Stop “Aviation Square” [1257] : Bus lines 1, 3, 5, E6, 305, N1, and trolleybus lines 3, 4, 5, and 11.
By Car
To reach Sofia Tech Park by car, head towards the roundabout at the 4th kilometer on Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., and take the exit towards Arena Armeec Hall (on Asen Yordanov Blvd.). Continue along the road, and you’ll find the entrance to Sofia Tech Park in the local lane. The laboratory complex building is situated next to the multi-story car park. The multi-story car park within Sofia Tech Park has a capacity of 500 spaces. Parking is available at a rate of 1 BGN per hour, with the first 30 minutes free.
The multistory parking of Sofia Tech Park is also equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles.
Alternative Entrance
You can also enter Sofia Tech Park from the Poligona neighborhood at ul. “Gen. Yordan Venedikov” 10, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria (rather than coming from the city center). This entrance provides direct access to the park and may be more convenient for visitors coming from that side of the city.
Spark Bulgaria
Sofia Tech Park is part of Spark Bulgaria electric car parking areas – electric car sharing. You drive it, through app and paying with card. Learn more here – facebook page and their website.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available throughout the area and offer direct transportation to Sofia Tech Park. Fares in Sofia are generally affordable and reliable, and payment can be made by card or cash. However, to avoid potential scams, please follow these guidelines when using taxis in Sofia:
- Ordering a Taxi: For a safe and convenient experience, order a taxi through the TaxiMe app (available only in Sofia) or the Yellow Taxi (Android and Apple) app.
- Avoid Scams:
- Do not accept offers from individuals in the airport’s waiting hall offering taxi services.
- Only enter officially marked taxis; a yellow car alone is not sufficient to confirm legitimacy.
- Check the price list displayed on the taxi’s windows and front windshield.
- Ensure that the taxi meter is switched on at the start of your ride.
- Be aware that there is no flat-rate fee for taxi rides in Sofia.
By following these tips, you’ll have a safe and reliable taxi experience.