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Railbookers · Escorted tour

Cappadocia and the Golden Eagle Danube Express Castles of Transylvania

Istanbul to Budapest luxury train through Cappadocia and Transylvania's castles

Illustration of Cappadocia and the Golden Eagle Danube Express Castles of Transylvania

Railbookers' Cappadocia and the Golden Eagle Danube Express Castles of Transylvania is a 12-day escorted tour that begins in Istanbul and ends in Budapest, crossing Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. The first days are spent in Istanbul and Cappadocia, including a guided flight to Cappadocia's valleys and rock formations with a weather-permitting hot air balloon ride, before returning to Istanbul for sightseeing at Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. On day 6, travelers board the Golden Eagle Danube Express for four nights, crossing the Shipka Pass into Bulgaria, the Carpathian Mountains into Romania, and the Great Hungarian Plain, with stops at Peles Castle, Bran Castle, and the medieval towns of Sighisoara and Sibiu. The trip ends with two nights and guided sightseeing in Budapest. With five-star hotels, a Deluxe Cabin on the train, and an onboard doctor, this suits travelers who want a luxury, fully guided journey through history and scenery rather than independent travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip to and from Cappadocia (days 2 and 3) is by flight, not train; the rail journey itself is the Golden Eagle Danube Express portion from Istanbul to Budapest.
  • Istanbul and Budapest hotels are drawn from a list of several named options, including the Pera Palace, Shangri-La Bosphorus, and Four Seasons properties; the evidence describes the Day 1 hotel as 'or similar,' so the exact property depends on availability.
  • The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Istanbul

    Your Journey Begins in Istanbul

    On arrival into Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing at your hotel, this historic Pera Palace hotel or similar.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cappadocia

    Cappadocia

    Get ready for an early morning kickoff as you'll be escorted to the airport for a brief flight towards Cappadocia. Visit Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, and the pottery village of Avanos, then venture into 'Monks Valley'.

  3. Day 3overnight: Istanbul

    Cappadocia

    Stroll through the Red and Rose valleys, visit the troglodyte village of Cavusin, and the Kaymakli Underground City. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Pigeon Valley and a balloon ride (weather permitting), then return to Istanbul in the evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Relax on another well-earned rest today, perhaps indulging in a little spa treatment.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Istanbul

    The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Istanbul

    Meet your fellow travelers for your upcoming luxury train expedition. Take pleasure in a day of leisure. In the evening, indulge in a splendid welcome reception dinner hosted at your hotel.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Visit the Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. In the late afternoon, board the opulent Golden Eagle Danube Express, your home for the next four nights.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Wake up to breathtaking views as the train traverses the Shipka Pass en route to Veliko Tarnavo, Bulgaria's ancient capital. Visit the medieval Tsarvets Hill and Castle.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    As the train winds through the Carpathian Mountains, arrive in Sinaia for a tour of Peles Castle. Continue to Brasov, where Bran Castle, the legendary abode of Dracula, awaits. Tonight, a gala dinner within the castle.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    A short ride from Brasov takes you to Sighisoara, the rumored birthplace of Dracula. Arrive in Sibiu and explore its captivating Old Town. Bid farewell to Romania as you traverse the Great Hungarian Plain.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Budapest

    The Golden Eagle Danube Express – Kecskemet, Lajosmizse, and Budapest

    Visit Kecskemet, located at the geographical center of Hungary. Witness a 'Puszta' horse show at Lajosmizse. Arrive at Budapest. Enjoy a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel and a farewell dinner.

  11. Day 11overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Explore Budapest on an orientation tour, visiting the Castle district, Andrassy Avenue, Heroes Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, Szechenyi Thermal Bath, and Matthias Church. In the evening, a candle-lit dinner cruise along the Danube.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Budapest

    A Car will whisk you to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's Pigeon Valley, weather permitting, after visiting the Kaymakli Underground City.
  • Day 6Boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express in the late afternoon after touring Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
  • Day 7The train crosses the Shipka Pass to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's ancient capital, with a visit to Tsarevets Hill and Castle.
  • Day 8A tour of Peles Castle in Sinaia followed by a gala dinner inside Bran Castle, the legendary home of Dracula, in Brasov.
  • Day 11A candle-lit dinner cruise along the Danube in Budapest after an orientation tour of the Castle district and Matthias Church.

Included

  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Istanbul
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation including breakfast and dinner in Cappadocia
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation including breakfast in Budapest
  • 4 nights accommodation onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express in a Deluxe Cabin including freshly prepared meals and all drinks
  • Expertly guided off-train experiences as per the itinerary
  • Onboard doctor and medical facilities
  • All gratuities
  • 2 day fully guided trip including return flights and a hot air balloon ride (weather dependent) trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia
  • Private half-day tour of Budapest
  • Evening gourmet dinner and Danube cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes 4 nights aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express in a Deluxe Cabin, with freshly prepared meals and all drinks included, traveling from Istanbul to Budapest via Bulgaria and Romania.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an escorted tour. Railbookers provides expertly guided off-train experiences throughout the itinerary, and an onboard doctor and medical facilities are included on the train.
Which train is used?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express, a luxury train, in a Deluxe Cabin for the four-night journey from Istanbul to Budapest.
What hotels are included?
Hotel stays in Istanbul (3 nights) and Budapest (2 nights, including a night at the Four Seasons Hotel), plus 1 night in Cappadocia with breakfast and dinner included.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride guaranteed?
No. The evidence describes it as weather permitting.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
Expertly guided off-train experiences, all gratuities, a 2-day fully guided Cappadocia excursion with return flights, a private half-day tour of Budapest, and an evening gourmet dinner with a Danube cruise.

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