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How to get fromIstanbul to Rilaby bus, train, unknown, night train, or plane

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There are 7 ways to get from Istanbul to Rila by bus, train, unknown, night train, 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, travel

    best
    1. Take the bus from Istanbul to Haskovobus bus
    2. Take the train from Dimitrovgrad to Kostenetstrain train Ic / ...
    3. Walk from Kostenets to Rilaunknown unknown
    8h 41m

  2. Train, night train, travel

    1. Take the train from Istanbul(Halkali) to Cerkezkoytrain train Re
    2. Take the nighttrain from Çerkezköy to Dimitrovgradnighttrain night train
    3. Take the train from Dimitrovgrad to Kostenetstrain train Ic / ...
    4. Walk from Kostenets to Rilaunknown unknown
    11h 32m

  3. Metro to Istanbul, fly, train, travel

    1. Take the train from Vezneciler to Gayrettepetrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane IST - SOF
    3. Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Kostenetstrain train
    4. Walk from Kostenets to Rilaunknown unknown
    6h 52m

  4. Bus, travel via Yakoruda

    1. Take the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogari to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Yakorudabus bus
    3. Walk from Yakoruda to Rilaunknown unknown
    10h 45m

  5. Bus, travel

    1. Take the bus from İstanbul Esenler bus station to Plovdiv Bus Station Southbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Plovdiv to Samokovbus bus
    3. Walk from Samokov to Rilaunknown unknown
    10h 46m

  6. Train, travel

    1. Take the train from Halkalı to Pazardjiktrain train
    2. Take the train from Pazardjik to Kostenetstrain train Ic / ...
    3. Walk from Kostenets to Rilaunknown unknown
    14h 29m

  7. Metro to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, fly, train, travel

    1. Take the train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sabiha Gokcen Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Sofia Airport (SOF)plane plane SAW - SOF
    3. Take the train from Iskarsko Shose to Kostenetstrain train
    4. Walk from Kostenets to Rilaunknown unknown
    7h 12m

Istanbul (IST) to Sofia Airport (SOF) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration1h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$100Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Istanbul to Rila.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 536.4 km
  • Duration: 8h 41m

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

There is no direct connection from Istanbul to Rila. However, you can take the bus to Haskovo, take the bus to Dimitrovgrad, walk to Dimitrovgrad, take the train to Kostenets, then travel to Rila. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yenikapi to Rila via Istanbul(Halkali), Cerkezkoy, Çerkezköy, Dimitrovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, and Kostenets in around 11h 32m.

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Train operators
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