GETTING TO 7 RILA LAKES

BY CAR

You can get to the 7 Rila lakes by car.

The drive is about 1h 30 mins from Sofia city. 

Click here to open Google Maps navigation

 

Pros:

+ indipendency

+ no other people on board

+ no fixed departure times

 

Cons:

- driving in Bulgaria can be challenging as signs are often in cyrilic alphabet only

- parking near the Rila lakes charlift is difficult during summer season and weekends

- parking fees apply


PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Getting to Rila lakes by public transport from Sofia city is possible, but quite difficult as there is no direct bus or train.

You would need to take bus or train from Sofia to Dupnitsa town. From there take a taxi up to the 7 Rila lakes chairlift (or a local shuttle to Sapareva Banya and taxi from there to the lift station). There is no shuttle service between Sapareva Banya and the lift station.

Keep in mind that most of the people at the bus and train stations in the smaller cities do not speak English so checking timetables and buying tickets can be challenging at times.

We generally recommend using the shuttle options described below.


DIRECT SHUTTLE BUS from Sofia city by Rila Shuttle

Our partners from Rila Shuttle are offering direct transfer service during the summer season from Sofia city to the chair lift parking lot. 

 

With this service you can easily do the hike in one day from Sofia.  

 

The shuttles leave conveniently from central meeting point in downtown Sofia. It is a direct transfer and takes normally 1h 40 min each way. On most days the shuttle leaves Sofia at 07:00 am and you arrive at the chair lift parking lot before 09:00 am. 
Departure from the chair lift parking lot is normally at 15:30h (exact time will be shown in your confirmation) and return in Sofia is around 17:30. 

*On some days in August departure from Sofia is at 10:00 am

**On some days there are also additional shuttle times available in the reservation system

All times are subject to change by operator.

Price is 30 EUR per person (two-way) for the transport only option.

 

Guided option is 40 EUR per person.

Service is not running on Mondays.

You can see real time availability and book with instant confirmation at: 
https://www.rilashuttle.com/rila-lakes/shared-shuttle/

 

COMBO SHUTTLE BUS from Sofia: Rila lakes and Rila monastery

Rila Shuttle are also offering a combo shuttle service from Sofia to Rila lakes and monastery in one day. 

 
This is a convenient option for people with shorter time as it combines both destionation.

Departure from Sofia is at 07:00
Return in Sofia is at 20:00h 
*Times are subject to change by operator

Price is 45 EUR per person (two-way) for the transport only option.

 

Guided option is 60 EUR per person.

Service is running every day

You can see real time availability and book with instant confirmation at: 
https://www.rilashuttle.com/super-shuttle/rila-lakes-rila-monastery/

 Note: busy periods get booked out in advance for the combo shuttle

 

ONE WAY SHUTTLE BUS from/to Sofia

If you need one-way only transporttation (From Sofia to lift parking lot or from lift parking lot to Sofia) you can reserve at the following discounted link (affiliate) with partnering bus operator Traventuria:

- From Sofia to lift parking lot: click here to see available times and reserve 

 In departure from, choose: 
In Arrival at, choose: Seven Rila lakes (bottom chair lift) 

Price on most days is approx 17.50 EUR (35 BGN) per person, one-way

You will get an automatic discount rate at step 2 of the booking process. 

- From lift parking lot to Sofia: click here to see available times and reserve

 

In departure from, choose: Seven Rila lakes (bottom chair lift) 
In Arrival at, choose: Sofia Vasil Levski Monument (or other location in Sofia like Sofia Airport)

As some people continue their hike to the Rila monastery, you can find available transport options from there at this link: Rila Monastery Tourist Info

 

 

Private transfer

This is the most conveninet but also pricier option for transport. 

You can contact our partners of Rila Shuttle for a quote: www.RilaShuttle.com 

 
They have been providing top rated (Google and TripAdvisor) service, since 2009 and can help from individual transfers to large groups (50 + people).

Please note that the private transfers normally get booked out well in advance.