Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Rila Monastery

See all options

There are 7 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, train, taxi

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler to Plovdivbus bus
    2. Take the train from Plovdiv to Kostenetstrain train
    3. Take the taxi from Kostenets to Rila Monasterytaxi taxi
    9h 56m
    $76–94

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Blagoevgradbus bus
    11h 17m
    $54–72

  3. Drive 613.9 km

    1. Drive from Istanbul to Rila Monasterycar car 613.9 km
    6h 59m
    $97–140

  4. 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
    $167–316

  5. 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 31m
    $180–390

  6. 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 53m
    $70–185

  7. 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
    $120–249

Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar22Weekly Planes
Duration1h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$78Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

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

Alpar Turizm operates a bus from Istanbul to Blagoevgrad once daily. Tickets cost $35–50 and the journey takes 10h 30m.

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 around the Cyclades, How to get from Stansted Airport into central London, and How to get from London to Edinburgh - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Trips from Istanbul

Trips to Rila Monastery

Popular routes