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

Find Transport to Rila Monastery

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There are 8 ways to get from Istanbul to Rila Monastery by bus, train, taxi, car, or plane

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 via Sofia

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Stationbus bus Arda-Tur
    2. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila Monasterybus bus Traventuria 44
    13h 28m
    $25–61

  2. Train, taxi

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Svilengradtrain train
    2. Take the train from Svilengrad to Kostenetstrain train
    3. Take the taxi from Kostenets to Rila Monasterytaxi taxi
    14h 44m
    $65–90

  3. Drive 613.9 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Rila Monasterycar car 613.9 km
    6h 56m
    $97–140

  4. Bus to Istanbul, fly to Sofia Airport, bus

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Busbus bus
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    3. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila Monasterybus bus
    9h 46m
    $107–246

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Blagoevgradbus bus
    13h 33m
    $45–63

  6. Bus to Istanbul, fly to Skopje International Airport, drive

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Busbus bus
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Skopje International Airport (SKP)plane plane IST - SKP
    3. Drive from Skopje-Airport-SKP to Rila Monasterycar car
    7h 54m
    $128–292

  7. 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 51m
    $60–155

  8. Fly Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Sofia Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    2. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila Monasterybus bus
    9h 47m
    $109–319

Istanbul to Rila Monastery by bus, subway, and foot

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration13h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$25Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

You can take a bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Rila Monastery via Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus Station, Sofia Airport, Sofia University, and Sofia Vasil Levski Monument in around 13h 28m.

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