How much does it cost?

From £18,315 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $24,740 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

What meals are included?

All meals are included: seven breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners, all freshly prepared on board using local ingredients. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the Standard Bar list are also included.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as a fully escorted journey with a UK-registered doctor and medical facilities onboard, curated excursions at each stop, and luggage porterage throughout.

What accommodation is provided?

Two nights in five-star hotels (one in Paris on Day 1, one in Istanbul on Day 7) and five nights in a private cabin aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express.

Which cities does the itinerary visit?

The journey visits London, Paris, Champagne, Vienna, Postojna (Slovenia), Belgrade, Sofia, and Istanbul over eight days.

Great Rail Journeys · Luxury rail journey

Golden Eagle Danube Express - London to Istanbul

Eight-day luxury train journey London to Istanbul via Paris and Vienna

Great Rail Journeys operates the Golden Eagle Danube Express, an eight-day luxury escorted train journey from London to Istanbul. Departing London via Eurostar, travellers arrive in Paris for a night in a five-star hotel before boarding the five-star Golden Eagle Danube Express for five nights traveling through seven European countries. The itinerary moves east through Vienna, where a private classical concert by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra is performed onboard after the train traverses the Austrian Alps; then through Postojna, Slovenia, where an underground train descends into the caves; Belgrade, Serbia, featuring a visit to Tito's blue train and a traditional feast; Sofia, Bulgaria, with tours of Roman ruins and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; and finally Istanbul, Turkey, where a farewell dinner overlooks the Bosphorus. All meals, beverages, excursions, and onboard services, including a UK doctor, are included. The journey concludes with a night in an Istanbul five-star hotel and a return flight to the UK.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £3,540 since 4 Jul, to £18,315.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged separately
The itinerary spans seven countries in eight days with multiple overnight train segments; physical capability for stairs and moderate walking in cities is expected

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Paris
London to Paris
A scenic journey aboard the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, transferring to a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, followed by a welcome reception dinner with fellow travellers.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Champagne region)
Champagne, France
After a transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon station, a champagne drinks reception precedes boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express. We traverse the French countryside to the Champagne region, renowned for its sparkling wines, vineyards and ancient cathedrals.
Day 3overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Vienna)
Vienna, Austria
An afternoon journey through the Austrian countryside and the Alps, with time to relax in your cabin or the Bar Lounge Car with resident pianists. Arriving in Vienna at dusk, we enjoy a lavish dinner and a private classical concert with the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
Meals: Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Postojna)
Vienna, Austria & Postojna, Slovenia
Further exploration of Vienna's palaces, coffee houses and cultural heritage, followed by lunch and an exclusive confectionary masterclass with Catering Manager Krisztian and Head Pastry Chef Rebeka. In the evening, we venture into the Postojna Caves via underground train, exploring cave formations to the sound of a live saxophonist.
Meals: Lunch
Day 5railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Belgrade)
Belgrade, Serbia
An exclusive visit to Tito's Blue Train, a traditional Serbian feast, and a Rakija tasting at the city's oldest brewery, followed by a stroll through Belgrade's streets. In the evening, a Gala Dinner is prepared by Head Chef Ramon Batta.
Meals: Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Sofia)
Sofia, Bulgaria
A relaxed morning aboard the train en route to Bulgaria, with time in the Bar Lounge Car. In Sofia, we explore the Roman ruins of Serdica, the City Garden and National Theatre, and descend into the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for a performance by the Vanya Moneva Choir.
Day 7overnight: Istanbul (five-star hotel)
Istanbul, Turkey
Arriving in Istanbul, where East meets West across the Bosphorus Strait, with free time to explore the city's streets and landmarks. In the evening, a Farewell Dinner is held against the backdrop of the Bosphorus.
Meals: Dinner
Day 8
Istanbul to the UK
After an overnight stay at our centrally located five-star hotel, we enjoy our final breakfast on the tour before transferring to Istanbul airport for the flight back to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Champagne drinks reception in Paris before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express and traveling through the French countryside
Day 3Private classical concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra aboard the train after traversing the Austrian Alps
Day 4Underground train journey into Postojna Caves with a saxophonist serenading the descent into the subterranean world
Day 5Exclusive visit to Tito's blue train in Belgrade followed by a traditional Serbian feast and Rakija tasting at the city's oldest brewery
Day 7Farewell Dinner overlooking the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul

Included

Quality pre and post-tour accommodation in Paris and Istanbul
5 nights on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
Eurostar from London to Paris
Flight from Istanbul to the UK
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Freshly prepared meals on board the train, using the finest local ingredients
Inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Standard Bar list
Luggage porterage throughout the journey

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £18,315 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $24,740 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What meals are included?: All meals are included: seven breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners, all freshly prepared on board using local ingredients. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the Standard Bar list are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as a fully escorted journey with a UK-registered doctor and medical facilities onboard, curated excursions at each stop, and luggage porterage throughout.
What accommodation is provided?: Two nights in five-star hotels (one in Paris on Day 1, one in Istanbul on Day 7) and five nights in a private cabin aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express.
Which cities does the itinerary visit?: The journey visits London, Paris, Champagne, Vienna, Postojna (Slovenia), Belgrade, Sofia, and Istanbul over eight days.