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Istanbul
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Your journey to Turkey

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428 kg CO2
What's included:
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
  • Journey guide with tickets
  • WhatsApp support
  • Disruption replanning

Journey at a glance

Trip overview
  • London

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Budapest

    2 nights

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Brasov

    2 nights

  • Bucharest

    1 night

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Istanbul

    3 nights

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Plovdiv

    2 nights

  • Sofia

    1 night

  • Veliko Tarnovo

    2 nights

  • Bucharest

    1 night

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Vienna

    1 night

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • London


Full itinerary

Journey
2hrs 16mins
Standard class

LondonParis

Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris. Relax with a drink and a good book or film as you watch the British fields turn into the French countryside from your carriage window.
Journey
3hrs 30mins
Standard class

ParisStuttgart

Take the direct train from Paris Gare de l'Est to Stuttgart HBF.
Journey
1 night
12hrs 50mins
Standard class

StuttgartBudapest

Take the EuroNight sleeper train from Stuttgart to Budapest..
Stay
2 nights
Budapest

Budapest

With hilly, historic Buda on the west of the River Danube, and lively Pest on the east, there's plenty for you to explore in Hungary's buzzing capital. Both sides of the river boast stunning architecture, wonderful eateries and fascinating histories.

Hotel Moments Budapest

Where you could stay2 nights

Hotel Moments Budapest

Byway favourite
Hotel Moments Budapest offers stylish rooms, a sauna and gym and an on-site restaurant where breakfasts are served. The hotel is located on the iconic Andrássy Avenue of Budapest, the State Opera House is only 200 metres away. Rooms have modern furnishings and decor, with touches of Budapest's imperial past in the patterns of the wall hangings.

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Recommendations

  • Experience one of the city's romkocsma, or 'ruin bars', dilapidated old buildings that have been turned into bars featuring upcycled furniture. Szimpla Kert is the oldest and most famous, with live music a few nights a week, and a flea market during Sunday daytime.

  • Looming over Budapest, the 19th-century lookout tower of Fisherman's Bastion gives the best views of the city. If the walk up to the top of the hill on which it sits is too daunting, just hire an electric scooter to get you there – Budapest has plenty of companies renting them out.

  • Dohány utcai zsinagóga, also known as the Great Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe. The 19th-century building is in the Neo-Moorish style, with eye-catching stripes and onion domes. The Hungarian Jewish Museum is housed in the same building, and the synagogue also runs English-language tours of the Jewish Quarter.

Journey
1 night
12hrs 13mins
Standard class

BudapestBrasov

Board the sleeper train through Hungary and into Transylvania (be prepared for a late-night check from Hungarian and Romanian border control, carried out on board).
Stay
2 nights
Brasov

Brasov

Right in central Romania, Braşov is the mountain-circled gateway to Transylvania. Also known as Kronstadt in German, Brasov's Germanic heritage is abundantly evident in its architecture. Castle Bran, known as Dracula's Castle, is nearby.

Vila Katharina

Where you could stay2 nights

Vila Katharina

Located in the heart of Brasov Old Town, Vila Katharina offers rooms with free WiFi. The property is set a 1-minute walk from Strada Sforii and 300 metres from Council Square. The elegantly decorated rooms feature hardwood floors and wallpapers, as well as a flat-screen TV. The private bathrooms feature bathtubs for your comfort and relaxation.

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Journey
2hrs 42mins
Standard class
BrasovBucharest
Stay
1 night
Bucharest

Bucharest

Romania's capital is a bustling metropolitan city of wide boulevards, city parks and Belle Époque architecture, earning it's nickname of 'Paris of the East' in the early 20th century. Today, the city's earned a particular reputation for its buzzing nightlife and slew of contemporary galleries. 

Euro Hotel Grivita

Where you could stay1 night

Euro Hotel Grivita

Offering a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk, Euro Hotel Grivita is located in Bucharest, a 3-minute walk from the main train station, Gara de Nord. Free WiFi access is available. All air-conditioned rooms at Euro Hotel Grivita feature a minibar and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Private bathrooms are equipped with a shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. Breakfast is served daily, and upon request special diet menus in the on-site restaurant can be offered. Guests can use luggage storage in case of an early arrival or late departure. Laundry and ironing service are available against surcharge.

Find out more

Recommendations

  • Explore Bucharest’s 45-acre Botanical Garden. Highlights include the gently crumbling Old Greenhouse, the rose garden, and the Botanical Museum. The lawns and lakeshore are popular picnic spots on sunny days.

  • Head to Therme Bucharest, the largest spa in Europe fed by geothermal water. Kids can enjoy water slides and pools, while adults can indulge in spa treatments, hydrotherapy and saunas. There are thousands of trees throughout the site, and the whole complex is top-rated by LEED.

  • Learn about traditional Romanian rural life at the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, a collection of vernacular buildings by Herăstrău Lake. Wander through the open-air museum to see homes, churches and workshops from the last four centuries.

Journey
1 night
20hrs 0mins
Standard class

Bucharest Istanbul

Take the Bosphorus Express night train from Bucharest to Istanbul. Prepare for a long day travelling across rural Romania and Bulgaria. Expect a daytime passport check entering Bulgaria and a late-night check as you enter Turkey.
Stay
3 nights
Istanbul

Istanbul

Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, from its architecture to its cuisine. Modern rooftop bars meet ancient mosques and Byzantine temples, and sand beaches meet ports of cruises and cargo. Once you've soaked up the smells and sights of the bustling Bazaar District and sampled the street food (Balık-Ekmek, Lahmacun and Dürüm are all local favourites), the quiet beauty of the Blue Mosque or the steaming baths of a Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (a traditional Turkish bath) feel all the more peaceful.

Tilas - Rooms in 19th Century Wooden Townhouse,Kadikoy

Where you could stay3 nights

Tilas - Rooms in 19th Century Wooden Townhouse,Kadikoy

An ideal stay for those looking to discover a more authentic side of Istanbul. Tilas is in the charming neighbourhood of Kakikoy on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. The owners are fantastic hosts who are happy to share their extensive knowledge of their city The beautiful wooden house has small but charming rooms with a shared kitchen downstairs. A delicious homemade Turkish breakfast can be purchased there.
Journey
1 night
8hrs 34mins
Standard class

IstanbulPlovdiv

Take the sleeper train from Istanbul across the border to Plovdiv. Once on board, expect a late-night departure from the train to be stamped out of Turkey and have your baggage checked. The Bulgarian border police will then check your passport in the train.
Stay
2 nights
Plovdiv

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is an ancient city built around 7 hills, in southern Bulgaria.

Gallery 37, BW Premier Collection

Where you could stay2 nights

Gallery 37, BW Premier Collection

Gallery 37, BW Premier Collection has a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Plovdiv. This 5-star hotel offers a bar. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Gallery 37, BW Premier Collection offers some units with city views, and every room has a kettle. At the accommodation the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers à la carte, continental or Italian options.

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Journey
2hrs 40mins
Standard class
PlovdivSofia
Stay
1 night
Sofia

Sofia

At the foot of the Vitosha Mountain, the beautiful Bulgarian capital is a laid-back city that has a perfect blend of young and old.

Sofia Hotel Balkan

Where you could stay1 night

Sofia Hotel Balkan

This stately hotel is centrally located in the city. The elegant rooms feature free Wi-Fi, minibars and flat-screen TVs, plus cherry wood furniture and Italian marble bathrooms. Upgrades add tea and coffeemaking facilities, and executive lounge access offering breakfast and drinks. 

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Journey
3hrs 58mins
Standard class
SofiaGorna Oryahovitsa
Journey
0hrs 15mins
Standard class

Gorna OryahovitsaVeliko Tarnovo

Take the bus, taxi or local train to Veliko Tarnovo. (Pay your fares on the day)
Stay
2 nights
Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

The fortified city of Veliko Tarnovo sits along the longest river in Bulgaria, and spreads across the three hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Momina Krepost. Its strategic location harks back to the city's medieval past, where it was the capital of the Medieval Bulgarian kingdom for more than two centuries, and the epicentre of all major political, economic and religious activity. Today, this can be seen across the many temples, fortresses and churches that remain.

Gurko Hotel

Where you could stay2 nights

Gurko Hotel

Located in the Old Town of Veliko Tŭrnovo, Gurko Hotel offers free WiFi, an on-site traditional Bulgarian restaurant. The classic rooms are air conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a minibar. The en-suite bathroom comes with a shower or a bath, a hairdryer and free toiletries.  Set 1 km from the Bus Station, Gurko Hotel is located a 10-minute stroll from Tsarevets Fortress and a 5-minute walk from Samovodska Charshia Market Square. Other stores and grocery shops can be reached within 200 metres. The Architectural Reserve Arbanassi can be found within 5 km.

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Journey
0hrs 15mins
Standard class

Veliko Tarnovo Gorna Oryahovitsa

Take the bus, taxi or local train to Gorna Oryahovitsa. (Pay your fares on the day)
Journey
5hrs 28mins
Standard class
Gorna OryahovitsaBucharest
Stay
1 night
Bucharest

Bucharest

Romania's capital is a bustling metropolitan city of wide boulevards, city parks and Belle Époque architecture, earning it's nickname of 'Paris of the East' in the early 20th century. Today, the city's earned a particular reputation for its buzzing nightlife and slew of contemporary galleries. 

Euro Hotel Grivita

Where you could stay1 night

Euro Hotel Grivita

Offering a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk, Euro Hotel Grivita is located in Bucharest, a 3-minute walk from the main train station, Gara de Nord. Free WiFi access is available. All air-conditioned rooms at Euro Hotel Grivita feature a minibar and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Private bathrooms are equipped with a shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. Breakfast is served daily, and upon request special diet menus in the on-site restaurant can be offered. Guests can use luggage storage in case of an early arrival or late departure. Laundry and ironing service are available against surcharge.

Find out more

Journey
1 night
19hrs 21mins
Standard class
Bucharest Vienna
Stay
1 night
Vienna

Vienna

Once the imperial capital of the Habsburg dynasty, Vienna's Baroque majesty is sure to impress. You'll find art, music and wonderful food at the heart of life in this city. Stroll through parks, lose yourself in museums, or enjoy one of Vienna's renowned coffee houses.

Hotel Kaiserhof Wien

Where you could stay1 night

Hotel Kaiserhof Wien

Byway favourite
This upscale hotel is housed in an 1896 building, a 10-minute walk from the Vienna State Opera and 1.7km from Wien Rennweg Bahnhof train station.

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Recommendations

  • Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by watching the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) perform at the Vienna Operahouse. The stunning building hosts 40-minute tours, and of course you can take a look at the schedule and book tickets to a show while you’re in the city. 

  • A popular and historic café frequented by Freud and Trotsky, Café Central is the embodiment of Vienna's coffee house culture. Enjoy an Apfelstrudel while admiring the majestic interiors and listening to the strains of piano music.

  • Pay a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace. The Habsburg’s residence’s huge size has to be seen to be believed; the building contains over 1440 rooms! The adjoining classical gardens are just as impressive.

Journey
1 night
13hrs 22mins
Standard class

ViennaBrussels

Board the Nightjet sleeper train to travel directly to Brussels. Get some rest in your comfortable private sleeping berth before waking up to find yourself in the Belgian capital.
Journey
2hrs 1mins
Standard class

BrusselsLondon

At Brussels Midi, board your Eurostar to London.

Before you book

Please make sure that you're happy with your trip before booking, as fees apply to changes made after booking. Check our FAQs for more information. To make changes to this trip before you book, please email hello@byway.travel