Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Rila Monastery

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Istanbul to Rila Monastery by bus, train, taxi, night train, 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, train, taxi

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler to Plovdivbus
    2. Take the train from Plovdiv to KostenetstrainRe
    3. Take the taxi from Kostenets to Rila Monasterytaxi
    9h 50m
    $76–94

  2. Bus via Sofia

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Sofia Airport Terminal 2 Bus StationbusArda-Tur
    2. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila MonasterybusTraventuria 44
    13h 28m
    $25–60

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Sofiatrain
    2. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila MonasterybusTraventuria 44
    19h 42m
    $28–42

  4. Night train, train, taxi

    1. Take the night train from Halkali to Dimitrovgradnighttrain
    2. Take the train from Dimitrovgrad to KostenetstrainRe
    3. Take the taxi from Kostenets to Rila Monasterytaxi
    12h 24m
    $66–92

  5. Drive 613.9 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Rila Monasterycar613.9 km
    6h 56m
    $97–140

  6. Bus

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

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

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Busbus
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)planeIST - SOF
    3. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila Monasterybus
    9h 16m
    $101–263

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

    1. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)planeSAW - SOF
    2. Take the bus from Sofia Vasil Levski Monument to Rila Monasterybus
    9h 20m
    $123–238

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

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Otogari to Istanbul Airport Busbus
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Skopje International Airport (SKP)planeIST - SKP
    3. Drive from Skopje-Airport-SKP to Rila Monasterycar
    7h 54m
    $123–280

  10. 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)planeSAW - SKP
    2. Drive from Skopje-Airport-SKP to Rila Monasterycar
    7h 53m
    $70–155

Istanbul to Rila Monastery by bus, subway, and foot

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration13h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$25Cheapest Price
See schedules

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.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Other operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Getting to Rome from the airport, Need to know: Jadrolinija, and Travelling around the UAE - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

More Questions & Answers

Trips from Istanbul

Trips to Rila Monastery

Popular routes