Rila Monastery with a Private Driver: from Sofia, Sofia Airport, Plovdiv or Bansko

The Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s best-known sight and a UNESCO World Heritage site, about 130 km south of Sofia. With a private driver it is an easy day out: around 2 hours each way from Sofia or Sofia Airport, from 110 € per car one way for up to 4 people, with a fixed price and no prepayment. Below you will find our prices from Sofia, Sofia Airport, Plovdiv and Plovdiv Airport, how the day usually runs and what to know before you go.

How to book: orders in English by phone, or in the chat in your language on WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram. We answer the chat almost instantly, day and night.

Rila Monastery prices with a private driver

These prices come from our price lists for Sofia, Sofia Airport and Plovdiv. Each price is for the whole vehicle, one way, with the driver, fuel and road tolls included.

Day trip with the way back: the prices above are for one direction. If you want the driver to wait at the monastery and drive you back, tell us when you book. We confirm the waiting time and the price of the return in advance, so the whole day is fixed before you set off. A VIP car (Mercedes E-Class) and buses for more than 8 people are on request.

From Bansko: many skiers and summer guests in Bansko ask about the monastery too. There is no fixed price for Bansko – Rila Monastery in our price list, so send us your hotel and the date and we quote the price straight away.

Who books a driver to the monastery

• City-break guests in Sofia who have one free day and want to see the monastery without a group tour timetable.
• Travellers who land at Sofia Airport and go straight to the monastery, or stop there on the way to Bansko or the south of Bulgaria. Your luggage stays in the car.
• Visitors in Plovdiv who want to combine the two best-known places in the country in one trip. From Plovdiv it is a longer drive, about 3.5 hours one way.
• Families and small groups: one minivan or minibus for everyone is often cheaper per person than seats on an organised tour.

How the day usually runs

Most people leave Sofia between 8 and 9 in the morning. The road goes south on the Struma motorway towards Dupnitsa and then turns east into the valley of the Rilska river, past the small town of Rila. The last part is a narrow mountain road through the forest. In normal traffic the drive takes about 2 hours.

At the monastery, most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours: the main church with its painted porch, the courtyard with the striped arches, the old stone tower and the museum. Add a lunch break at one of the restaurants near the monastery and you are back in Sofia in the late afternoon. The whole day is usually 7 to 8 hours.

A stop on the way, for example at the Stob Pyramids rock formations or for a coffee, is possible on request. Tell us what you would like to see when you book, and we plan the day and the price with you.

What to know before you visit

Dress code

The Rila Monastery is an active Orthodox monastery. In the church, cover your shoulders and knees and keep your voice low. Taking photos inside the church is not allowed; in the courtyard you can take pictures freely.

Best season

The monastery is open all year. From May to October the weather in the mountains is the most pleasant, and autumn colours in the valley are beautiful in October. Summer weekends and big church holidays bring many visitors, so on those days an early start is worth it. In winter there can be snow on the last part of the road; our cars run on winter tyres from mid-November, and the driver chooses the safest open road. The monastery sits at about 1,150 m above sea level, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

Entrance and money

Entry to the monastery courtyard is free; the museum has its own small ticket. Have some cash in euros for candles, the museum and snacks.

Why a private driver and not a bus

There is no simple direct public transport from Sofia to the monastery, and organised tours run on a fixed timetable with a full bus. With a private driver you leave when you want, from your hotel, your flat or the airport, and you stay as long as you like.

• Fixed price for the whole car, confirmed when you book. No meter and no surprises.
• No prepayment: you pay the driver at the end of the trip.
• Child seats at no extra cost: infant carrier, child seat and booster. Tell us how many you need.
• 24/7: early morning starts and late returns are no problem.
• Pick-up from an address: the driver is there on time and waits up to 15 minutes. At the airport, if your flight is delayed, waiting is free and has no time limit.
• A big fleet: True Drivers was founded in 2015 and works with a group of around 200 cars, 50 minivans, 100 buses and 20 S-Class and E-Class cars, so a larger group can travel together.

Planning more than one day? Our older guide Sofia to Rila Monastery: day trip and transfer compares the other ways to get there, and if you are heading to the mountains after the monastery, read Sofia Airport to Bansko. Route details and online booking are on the page taxi transfer Sofia – Rila Monastery.

Booking in three steps

1. Send us the date, the pick-up address or flight number, the number of passengers and whether you want the driver to wait and bring you back.
2. We confirm the fixed price and the plan for the day in the chat or by e-mail.
3. Your driver picks you up. You pay at the end of the trip.

You can also use the online booking form.

FAQ

How much is a private driver from Sofia to the Rila Monastery?

From our price list, one way costs 110 € by car for up to 4 people, 140 € by minivan for up to 6 and 160 € by minibus for up to 8. The price is for the whole vehicle and is fixed when you book.

Will the driver wait for us at the monastery?

Yes, if you ask for it when you book. We agree the waiting time and the price of the return in advance, so you know the cost of the whole day before you go.

How long does the drive from Sofia take?

About 2 hours for 130 km in normal traffic, from Sofia or from Sofia Airport. From Plovdiv it is about 3.5 hours.

Can we go straight from Sofia Airport to the Rila Monastery?

Yes. The price from Sofia Airport is the same as from Sofia: 110, 140 or 160 € depending on the vehicle. Your luggage stays in the car while you visit.

What should I wear to the Rila Monastery?

Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for the church, and comfortable shoes. Bring a warm layer, because the monastery is high in the mountains and it is cooler than in Sofia.

Do I have to pay in advance?

No. There is no prepayment for any of our trips: you book now and pay the driver at the end of the day.