Free Transfers

We provide free transfers from Tryavna on Tuesdays – Thursdays, usually between 15.00 and 16.00. If you arrive on another day, we can arrange for a taxi to collect you from the bus or train station for about €12.

Coaches & Buses

Coaches to Tryavna run from Sofia central bus staion at 11 am daily. there is only one bus, so book in advance online HERE.. Please note that you need to arrive at the Central Bus Station (not the outside local station next door) at least 15 minutes before your bus as It is advisable to go to the Union Ivkoni desk and present your online ticket, they then print you a paper version for the driver. There are more frequent coaches to Gabrovo and Veliko Tarnovo but we do not collect from the cities, unless we have errands and can coordinate. It is possible to get a bus to Tryavna from Gabrovo, and a bus to Voneshta Voda from Veliko Tarnovo or a taxi to the retreat from either city. Gabrovo will be a bit cheaper.

There are also coach options from Varna, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Burgas; many go via Veliko Tarnovo.

Taxi & Car Hire

Always check the price of the taxi before getting in or ensure they use the metre as some drivers at the airports take advantage of tourists. Its easy and cheaper to use the metro 

We can arrange an airport transfer if needed. They are around €120 each way. A rental car is cheap & easy, we recommend TopCarRental or their economy partner, Budget Car.

PLEASE NOTE: We are not Belitsa near Bansko, regardless of what Google tries to tell you. Use RisingSoul Retreat on Google Maps or the full address, Belitsa 5363, Tryavna, Gabrovo, and it will bring you straight to us..

However, the train or bus is considerably cheaper. Please get in touch for help with travel arrangements and further help if you wish to arrive from other destinations such as Greece, Istanbul & Bucharest, which also have ok bus and train routes.

Sofia Metro 

• Terminal 2: The Metro station is located in the eastern part of the building. Simply follow the blue markings on the floor of the public Arrivals area; they will lead you directly to the entrance.

• Terminal 1: There is no Metro station at Terminal 1. However, a free shuttle bus runs between the two terminals every 30 minutes (08:00–20:00) and every 40 minutes (20:00–08:00). Follow the signs at Terminal 1 to the shuttle stop to reach Terminal 2.

Tickets and Fares

You have several convenient ways to pay for your journey:

• Contactless Payment: The easiest method. Simply tap your Visa, Mastercard, or mobile wallet (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly on the glass readers at the turnstiles.

• Ticket Machines: Available at the station. A single ticket costs 1.60 BGN (approx. 0.82 EUR). Machines accept Bulgarian coins, banknotes, and cards.

• Daily Pass: If you plan on exploring more of the city, tapping the same card three or more times in one day will automatically cap your total fare at 4.00 BGN.The

Route to the Central Station

The journey involves one easy transfer and takes approximately 45–50 minutes:

1. Start on Line M4 (Yellow): Board the train at the Sofia Airport station. This is the end of the line, so all trains depart toward the city center.

2. Transfer at Serdika: Stay on the train for about 25–30 minutes until you reach Serdika Station (Сердика).

3. Switch to Line M2 (Blue): Follow the signs within the station to transfer to Line M2. You want the direction toward Obelya (Обеля).

4. Arrive at Central Station: Get off at the Central Railway Station stop (Централна гара), which is just two stops away from Serdika.

Traveler’s Tip: Both the Central Railway Station and the Central Bus Station are located right next to each other at this Metro stop. Announcements on the train are made in both Bulgarian and English to help you keep track of your progress!

Flights

The cheapest airlines with regular flights are Wizzair, RyanAir and EasyJet. You can fly to Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv or Sofia. Without a car, Burgas or Plovdiv is a great stopover option with a scenic mountain train ride to Tryavna. The trains are slow and scenic, but very affordable if you are not in a rush; this is a great option. Please note that on the BDZ train booking system, Tryavna is spelt Trjavna. You can get tickets at the station or even on the trains.

Stop Overs

We highly recommend flying to Plovdiv and staying with the Old Plovdiv Hostel (please mention us) for a night to discover the sites and vibe of Plovdiv with its ancient sites, old town and university vibe. Awarding a European Culture award, it’s a perfect stop. From here, you can rent a car or take the scenic mountain train to Tryavna.

You can also break up the journey with an overnight stop in Veliko Tarnovo. We recommend the Rooster Hostel or Sofia, where there are many options.

What To Pack

• Shoes to hike in
• Swimsuit
• Warm scarf, poncho, comfy cardigan for chili evenings 
• Woolly hat and gloves if you’re visiting in Spring or Autumn evenings & mornings can be chilly
• Head torch if you like to camp or walk in the evenings
• Water bottle with a lid
• Insect repellant 
• Journal & pen
• Any meds or special foods you need
• Cash in Euros for Chai House & Workshops/Extra Classes

Travelling Info

Please be aware that due to the war in Ukraine, it is currently an immigration requirement for longer stay guests (over 6 days) to register within 3 days of arrival at the passport office in Tryavna. we will facilitate this for you. 

Of course, we can all get sick, so you might want to know that private health care and dental care is good and not expensive in Bulgaria. Please check your insurance and rights as a non-national in Bulgaria. We have a hospital in Tryavna and good dentists.