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How to get fromIstanbul to Rila Monasteryby bus, car, plane, or taxi

Find Transport to Rila Monastery

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There are 6 ways to get from Istanbul to Rila Monastery by bus, car, plane, or taxi

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Blagoevgradbus bus
    10h 17m
    $51–68

  2. Drive 613.9 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Rila Monasterycar car 613.9 km
    6h 57m
    $97–140

  3. Fly Istanbul to Sofia Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    2. Take the taxi from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Rila Monasterytaxi taxi
    6h 10m
    $192–372

  4. Fly Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    2. Take the taxi from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Rila Monasterytaxi taxi
    6h 30m
    $212–412

  5. Fly Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Skopje International Airport, drive

    1. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Skopje International Airport (SKP)plane plane SAW - SKP
    2. Drive from Skopje-Airport-SKP to Rila Monasterycar car
    7h 52m
    $87–317

  6. Fly Istanbul to Skopje International Airport, drive

    1. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Skopje International Airport (SKP)plane plane IST - SKP
    2. Drive from Skopje-Airport-SKP to Rila Monasterycar car
    7h 37m
    $162–397

Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$101Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Istanbul to Rila Monastery.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 697.6 km
  • Duration: 10h 17m

What companies run services between Istanbul, Turkey and Rila Monastery, Bulgaria?

Alpar Turizm operates a bus from Istanbul to Blagoevgrad once daily. Tickets cost $30–45 and the journey takes 9h 30m.

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