Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

London to Istanbul: Epic Rail Journey

London to Istanbul: Epic Rail Journey, a rail journey with Tailor Made Rail

Travel from the UK to Istanbul with stops in Germany, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria on this 11 day rail holiday. From £1199 pp.

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).

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)

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