From Bulgaria’s capital into the Rila Mountains in about 1h 55m of driving. South-west on the A3 Struma motorway towards Dupnitsa, then up the valley road through Rila town to the monastery — a private car from your Sofia hotel, address or Sofia Airport.
Drive from Sofia to Rila Monastery in about 1h 55m without stops. Private transfer priced on request per vehicle, door-to-door — tell us your pickup in Sofia or at Sofia Airport, whether you need a one-way ride or a return, and any stop you would like on the way.
Pickup anywhere in Sofia. The route leaves the city to the south-west past the Pernik area and joins the A3 Struma motorway.
The church stands on Sofia’s southern edge, a short detour at the very start of the drive. Add time for the visit and mention it in your request.
Past Dupnitsa the road to the monastery runs through the Kocherinovo area. The earth pyramids are reached on foot from Stob village, so add time for the walk up to the formations.
Road 107 leaves the motorway and passes through Rila town, where the route turns up the Rilska river valley into the mountains.
The last stretch climbs the valley to the Monastery of Saint John of Rila. If you are staying overnight nearby, send the exact address with your request.
Per vehicle, not per person. Every quote includes tolls, fuel, assistance with loading and unloading luggage, and child seats available on request.
Picked up and dropped off at your exact address
Motorway tolls covered, no extras
Short photo stops may be included where operationally possible
Professional, local, English-speaking driver
Sofia Airport (SOF) is about 11 km east of the city centre. From the airport to Rila Monastery is roughly 149 km and 2h 15m of driving, with no need to stop in the city first — mention the airport pickup and your flight number in your request. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting.
Need the drive back? Rila Monastery to Sofia covers the return to your hotel in Sofia or to Sofia Airport.
Rila Monastery → Sofia →Rila Monastery — the Monastery of Saint John of Rila — lies in the Rila Mountains about 127 km south of Sofia by road. The route leaves the capital to the south-west, passes the Pernik area and follows the A3 Struma motorway past Dupnitsa. It then turns onto road 107 through the Kocherinovo area and Rila town, and climbs the Rilska river valley to the monastery. Allow about 1h 55m of driving without stops.
There is no simple direct public line from Sofia to the monastery. The usual way by public transport is a train or bus to Dupnitsa and then a taxi for the rest of the way. A private transfer takes you in one car from your Sofia door, or from Sofia Airport, straight up the valley to the monastery, with any stop you choose on the way.
This page is the door-to-door transfer from Sofia to Rila Monastery. If you are going for the day and want the driver to wait and bring you back, mention the waiting time in your request — we quote it per vehicle.
Sofia to Rila Monastery is a domestic journey inside Bulgaria, so there is no border crossing on the way.
We pick up from hotels and addresses in Sofia and from Sofia Airport (SOF). Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, address pickups 15 minutes. We drop off at Rila Monastery, or at your accommodation nearby if you send the exact address with your request.
Everything specific to this route.
About 127 km by road. The drive takes roughly 1h 55m via the A3 Struma motorway and the Rila valley road, without stops.
There is no simple direct public line. The usual way is a train or bus to Dupnitsa and then a taxi to the monastery. A private transfer goes door to door in one car.
This page is the transfer between Sofia and Rila Monastery. For a day trip with waiting time, mention it in your request — we quote it per vehicle.
Yes. Boyana Church is on Sofia’s southern edge and adds about 8 minutes of driving. Add time for the visit and mention the stop in your request.
Yes, as a stop on the way. Stob village adds about 7 minutes of driving, and the formations are reached on foot from the village, so add time for the walk.
Yes. From Sofia Airport (SOF) to Rila Monastery is about 149 km and roughly 2h 15m of driving. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting.
This route is priced on request. We quote per vehicle, not per passenger, for your date, group and any stops, and you receive the quote in writing before anything is confirmed.
Request this transfer with your date, pickup point in Sofia, one-way or with waiting time, and group size. We reply during our working hours with a written quote per vehicle.