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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

London to Istanbul: Epic Rail Journey

Eleven-day rail journey from London to Istanbul via Munich, Budapest, Bucharest, and Sofia.

Illustration of London to Istanbul: Epic Rail Journey

Tailor Made Rail operates this 11-day independent rail holiday from London to Istanbul, crossing five countries and stopping overnight in Munich, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, and Istanbul. You board Eurostar to Brussels, then travel by ICE to Cologne along the Rhine before heading south through Austria to Budapest. The heart of the journey unfolds on two overnight sleeper trains: the Ister carries you in a double compartment through rural Romania to Bucharest, and the Sofia-Istanbul sleeper takes you in a private compartment across Bulgaria and into Turkey. The itinerary mixes travel days with free time to explore at your own pace. Day 4 is largely devoted to the Danube in Budapest, Day 6 brings you across the Bulgarian border on daytime trains, and Days 8 to 10 give you three nights in Istanbul to visit the Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar, and the city's historic quarters. Hotels include breakfast, and all rail tickets and seat reservations come with the package from GBP 1,199 per person. This trip suits independent explorers who want the structure of a planned itinerary without group guides, and first-time rail travellers seeking a comprehensive introduction to sleeper trains across continental Europe.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed as "or similar"; the final accommodation in each city depends on availability at the time of booking.
  • The return flight from Istanbul to the UK is not included in the from-price; budget separately for your flight home.
  • Day 11 is largely free time before departure; no group transfer or activities are arranged.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cityclass Europa am Dom (or similar), Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Eurostar to Brussels Midi, then an ICE service to Cologne on the banks of the River Rhine.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Courtyard by Marriott Munich City Centre (or similar)

    Cologne to Munich

    Direct train south to Munich, arriving early afternoon with time to explore.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Hotel Rum (or similar), Budapest

    Munich to Budapest

    Leisurely morning in Munich before a direct train to Budapest via Chiemsee and Salzburg.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the 'Ister' overnight sleeper (double compartment)

    Budapest and overnight to Bucharest

    Free morning in Budapest, perhaps a stroll along the Danube or a visit to the Parliament Building, before boarding the overnight 'Ister' sleeper train to Bucharest.

  5. Day 5railovernight: K + K Elisabeta (or similar), Bucharest

    Arrive Bucharest

    Morning onboard the sleeper train through rural Romania to Bucharest, then an afternoon exploring the capital, including the Parliament Building.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel (or similar), Sofia

    Bucharest to Sofia

    Train across the Bulgarian border to Ruse, changing onto a basic service to Sofia, arriving in the evening.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Aboard the Sofia to Istanbul sleeper (private compartment)

    Sofia and overnight to Istanbul

    Free day exploring Sofia, including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha Boulevard, before an early dinner and boarding the overnight sleeper train to Istanbul.

  8. Day 8overnight: Yasmak Sultan Hotel (or similar), Istanbul

    Arrive Istanbul

    Arrive early morning at Istanbul Halkali station, then metro or taxi into the centre of town.

  9. Day 9overnight: Yasmak Sultan Hotel (or similar), Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Visit the Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazaar in this historic city, founded as Byzantium around 660 BC.

  10. Day 10overnight: Yasmak Sultan Hotel (or similar), Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Further day exploring Istanbul at leisure.

  11. Day 11

    Istanbul to London

    Free time in Istanbul before making your way to the airport for a flight back to the UK (not included).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar to Brussels Midi, then an ICE service to Cologne on the banks of the River Rhine.
  • Day 4Board the overnight Ister sleeper train to Bucharest in a double compartment after exploring Budapest's Danube waterfront and Parliament Building.
  • Day 5Travel through rural Romania aboard the sleeper train, arriving in Bucharest to explore the Parliament Building in the afternoon.
  • Day 7Free day in Sofia visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha Boulevard before boarding the overnight sleeper to Istanbul in a private compartment.
  • Day 8Arrive early morning at Istanbul Halkali station after crossing from Bulgaria through the night; travel to the city centre by metro or taxi.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • Double compartment on the 'Ister' overnight sleeper from Budapest to Bucharest
  • Private compartment on the Sofia to Istanbul sleeper
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Not included

  • Return flight from Istanbul (not included)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail journeys in standard class, including seat reservations where required, the double compartment on the Ister sleeper from Budapest to Bucharest, and a private compartment on the sleeper from Sofia to Istanbul. The return flight from Istanbul is not included.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is a tailor-made independent rail holiday. You travel on your own schedule with easy-to-follow travel documentation provided by email. There are no guided group tours, though optional extensions to Cappadocia and Georgia are available.
What trains do I travel on?
Eurostar from London to Brussels Midi, ICE from Brussels to Cologne, direct trains to Munich and Budapest, the Ister overnight sleeper from Budapest to Bucharest in a double compartment, a change in Ruse between Bucharest and Sofia, and the Sofia to Istanbul overnight sleeper in a private compartment.
How many nights do I spend in hotels and how many on trains?
You spend seven nights in hotels and two nights on overnight sleeper trains. Hotels include breakfast and are in Cologne, Munich, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, and three nights in Istanbul.
How much free time is there to explore each city?
You have a free morning in Munich, a free morning in Budapest, a full free day in Sofia, and two full free days in Istanbul. Cologne and Bucharest have a few hours of afternoon time. On Day 11 in Istanbul you have free time before making your way to the airport.
When does this trip run?
Tailor Made Rail does not publish a set departure calendar. This is a tailor-made package, so you can arrange your own dates; confirm availability and exact pricing when booking.

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