GETTING THERE
1. SHARED SHUTTLE BUS
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The shared shuttle bus (operated by Traventuria) leave every day from Sofia city center and is the fastest and easiest way to get from Sofia
- Departure at 09:00 h from St. Alexander Nevski cathedral in downtown Sofia
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Advance booking is required as most shuttle buses are fully booked
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Price is from 30 BGN (approx €15.00) per person, one-way. The rates are 10% discounted from the regular operator rates. The affiliate links below
include the discount automatically on step 2 of the reservation process
- Easy booking with live availability and instant confirmation. All tickets and cinfirmation are digital so you don't need to print anything.
- For Sofia to Rila monastery shuttle bus (Departure from Sofia at 09:00 am), book here : Shared shuttle from Sofia city to Rila monastery
How to book:
1. In the Departure field: choose Sofia Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Departure is at 09:00 am. Be there around 08:45am
2. In the Arrival field: choose Rila Monstery
3. Choose from the available departures for the day and finish your reservation
For Rila monastery to Sofia shuttle bus (Departure at 15:00h from Rila monastery), book here: Shared shuttle from Rila monastery to Sofia
How to book:
1. In the Departure field: choose Rila monastery. Departure is at 3:00 pm from the main parking lot. Look for a minibus/bus branded with name
Traventuria.
2. In the Arrival field: choose Sofia Alexander Nevski Cathedral if you like to be dropped off in the city center.
You can also choose Sofia Airport or Ovcha Juper Bus station (check location as this one is a bit out of town).
3. Choose from the available departures for the day and finish your reservation
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Reserve here: Shared shuttle from Sofia city to
Rila monastery
Alternatively if you pefer a private transfer (from car to minibus), you can contact Rila Shuttle (www.RilaShuttle.com)
2. RENT-A-CAR
Prices and insurances policy depend on the car rental company.
Usually, local Bulgarian car hire companies may offer you better rental terms & conditions (lower or no excess at all, unlimited mileage, 2 drivers free of charge etc.), but their capacity might be limited when booking last-minute.
Local car hire companies are usually flexible regarding pick-up and drop off of the car and may also offer delivery and collection from an address in Sofia city.
Credit and debit cards are usually accepted, as well as cash payments.
Some of the local rent-a-car companies:
International companies usually have a wide variety of car available at any time.
Read carefully the terms & conditions regaring fuel policy, insurance coverage (amount of excess included), drivers's minimum age, mileage included per day. International rent-a-car companies acceps only credit cars (not debit cards and cheques).
Some of the international rent-a-car companies:
3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Currently the public bus service from Sofia is not operating ! So the info below is out-dated.
You can check alternatively for bus service with inter-change at Dupnitsa or Blagoevgrad.
There is only one public bus that goes from Sofia directly to Rila monastery
Departure from Sofia at: 10:20 h and 18:20 h.
Arrival at Rila monastery at 13:00 h and 20:15 h.
Departure from Rila monastery at:
15:00 h (from 1st November until 31st March)
15:30 h (from 1st April until 31st October)
Ticket price: 11.00 BGN leva (approx. €5.50) per person, one-way.
Seat reservation in not possible and availability is not guaranteed.
The bus departs from bus station Ovcha Kupel, located in the west part of Sofia city. You can get to the bus station:
- by taxi - about 20 min ride from the city centre (depending on traffic conditions the time can increase)
- by tram №5 - there is a stop behind the Palace of Justice in the city centre.
The ticket for the tram is 1.60 BGN leva (approx. €0.80) and can be purchased from the ticket kiosks at some tram stations or from the driver (availability of tickets from the driver is not guaranteed) - by foot - about 1h 15min from Sofia city centre