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Golden Eagle Danube Express - Istanbul to Paris with Cappadocia

Twelve-day Istanbul-to-Paris luxury train journey with a Cappadocia balloon-ride add-on

Illustration of Golden Eagle Danube Express - Istanbul to Paris with Cappadocia

Railbookers operates this 12-day, 11-night rail vacation from Istanbul to Paris, extending the Golden Eagle Danube Express journey with a Cappadocia add-on. After a first night in Istanbul, the trip flies to Cappadocia for a night in a cave hotel, with visits to Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, the pottery village of Avanos, and a weather-dependent hot air balloon ride over the Red and Rose Valley before flying back to Istanbul. Two more nights in Istanbul include a welcome dinner, then the trip boards the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Istanbul Halkali Station for five nights onboard, stopping in Sofia, Belgrade, Postojna, and Vienna, with excursions such as the Semmering Pass. The train continues through Champagne's vineyards into Paris, where the trip ends with an independent day and a Moulin Rouge show. This itinerary suits travelers who want the full Danube Express rail experience plus a landscape and ballooning detour in Cappadocia.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Cappadocia extension is reached by a short flight from Istanbul and back, so this itinerary includes a domestic flight segment in addition to the rail journey.
  • The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is described as weather-dependent, so it is not guaranteed to run.
  • Istanbul and Paris hotel nights are each drawn from a list of hotel options depending on the package tier booked, rather than one hotel fixed at booking.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this itinerary; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Istanbul

    Your Journey Begins in Istanbul

    Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival, transfer to your luxury 5* hotel accommodation. Cross the Bosphorus to the Asian side or climb to the top of the byzantine Galata Tower.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cappadocia

    Istanbul to Cappadocia

    An early start for a short flight to Cappadocia. Visit Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, the pottery village of Avanos, and the ancient 'Monks Valley' before settling into your traditional cave hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Istanbul

    Cappadocia to Istanbul

    Stroll along the Red and Rose valley, visit the troglodyte village of Cavusin and its Rock Castle, the Underground City of Kaymakli, and Pigeon Valley. Enjoy a weather-dependent balloon ride, then fly back to Istanbul.

  4. Day 4overnight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning and a formal welcome reception dinner with your fellow travelers.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Istanbul

    Escorted to Istanbul Halkali Station for a drinks reception before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express, winding through Türkiye's landscapes into Bulgaria, with a sumptuous Welcome Dinner aboard.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Sofia

    Immerse yourself in Sofia, exploring the ruins of the Roman city, the City Garden, and the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for the 'Cosmic Voices' performance.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Belgrade

    Visit Tito's legendary blue train, feast on traditional Serbian flavors, and sample Rakija at the city's oldest brewery.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Postojna & Vienna

    Explore the Postojna Caves and the Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before a luxurious dinner in Vienna with a private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Vienna

    Continue exploring Vienna's grand palaces and coffee houses. In the afternoon, journey through the Austrian countryside crossing the Alps toward Switzerland.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Explore Champagne's vineyards and historic cathedrals, then reboard the train through France's countryside, arriving in Paris for a Farewell Dinner.

  11. Day 11overnight: Paris

    Paris

    A day of independent exploring - the Eiffel Tower or Louvre. In the evening, enjoy the famous Moulin Rouge show with half a bottle of champagne.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Flies to Cappadocia and visits Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, the pottery village of Avanos, and the ancient 'Monks Valley' before settling into a traditional cave hotel.
  • Day 3Strolls the Red and Rose Valley, visits the troglodyte village of Cavusin and its Rock Castle and the Underground City of Kaymakli, and takes a weather-dependent hot air balloon ride.
  • Day 5Boards the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Istanbul Halkali Station after a drinks reception, then a Welcome Dinner onboard as the train crosses into Bulgaria.
  • Day 8Explores the Postojna Caves and the Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before a private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra in Vienna.
  • Day 10Explores Champagne's vineyards and historic cathedrals, then the train continues through France's countryside into Paris for a Farewell Dinner.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Istanbul
  • 1-night hotel accommodation in a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 5 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class including: 24-hour onboard service, complimentary tea, coffee, and water, all meals and accompanying drinks, guided off-train excursions as listed, personal headsets with audio commentary, on-board doctors and medical facilities, all gratuities
  • Balloon Ride in Cappadocia (including flights from/to Istanbul)
  • Moulin Rouge tickets in Paris with Champagne
  • Transfers as per itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included on this trip?
Yes. Railbookers includes rail travel as per the itinerary, including 5 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class, covering meals, drinks, guided off-train excursions, and gratuities.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is escorted onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, with dedicated staff and guided excursions, combined with independent time to explore Istanbul and Paris at your own pace.
Which train is used?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express, in Deluxe class, running from Istanbul to Paris.
How do you get to Cappadocia?
By a short flight from Istanbul, included in the package along with the return flight back to Istanbul.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride guaranteed?
No, the evidence describes it as weather-dependent.

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