Be free to visit Turkey along with the other 32 Eurail countries. Enjoy a full, varied breakfast in the hotels fabulous restaurant. After the long overnight journey to Istanbul and the sometimes tiring overall trip theres no better way to feel human again than taking a trip to one of the citys historical Turkish baths. First, take the train from Belgrade to Nis, Serbias second biggest city. And Munich the capital of Bavaria is a great city that warrants extra time in them if you want to extend your adventure and soak up the atmosphere. Bikes are allowed, but check locally if a special ticket is required. There is more flexibility in eastern Europe, and you can get away with making reservations just before you travel. You can get Eurostar tickets from 36 to Paris or Brussels if you book in advance. Single supplements will apply for sole occupancy. Make sure tobook your seat reservationswell in advance to guarantee your seat(s). Athough the service itself doesnt exist anymore, its still possible to travel by rail from London to Istanbul - with an Interrail Global Pass! Alanya on the Turkish Riviera is a beach resort city that has it all: a Mediterranean climate, historical attractions, natural sights and frisky nightlife. If you have time, there are also some great museums to choose from. Unfortunately the historic Sirkeci Station the original destination of the Orient Express has now closed, and arrival in Istanbul is not nearly as atmospheric as it used to be. Visit Turkeys largest city, Istanbul and youll be blown away by sense-sparking monuments in every direction. {{translatedAttributeValidityPeriodDescription}}, Pamukkale hot springs in the Denizli Province, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara, Travertine pools and terraces in Pamukkale, {{variant.localizedTravelPackDescription}}, {{variant.localizedPassUpgradeDescription}}. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If youve got to change stations, as you do in Vienna, for example, then get to your new station and drop your bags first before attempting to explore the city. Sultan Ahmets Ottoman Blue Mosque is one of Istanbuls most epic structures. In-house dining is available at the Oleo Pazzo, a Mediterranean bistro. This is the simplest way. Located in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet area, the Yasmak Sultan Hotel is just a short walk from Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. During snowy climes hit one of Turkeys top ski resorts. Sometimes its more enjoyable just to find a pleasant cafe near the station and recharge with a meal or a coffee and snack and just watch the world go by rather than dashing around a new city worrying about making it back in time. Travel across Europe to Russian capital Moscow on this epic adventure. Theres something about it that makes it feel like the perfect mid-point of the trip, and its size and grandeur make it really special. TMR RECOMMENDS: Why not extend your holiday and travel further into Turkey? Both are fascinating cities with a lot going for them, so if youve visited Budapest before you may like to take this option. For the perfect introduction to Istanbuls history, the best place to head for is the magnificent Hagia Sofia, built as a Greek Orthodox basilica, briefly a Roman Catholic Cathedral, for five-hundred years a mosque, and then from 1935, a secular museum. Perhaps take a stroll along the River Danube, take a guided tour of the famous Parliament Building or enjoy a morning dip in one of the citys beautiful Art Nouveau spa complexes. You did it: you relived the classic London to Istanbul rail journey! You could, of course, spend an overnight stop in Paris first to get your first taste of the continent before moving on. If youre planning an Interrail trip from London to Istanbul by train, you will need to take a Eurostar to continental Europe before you start an Interrail Pass The Train Hacker images/Chris P King. The disadvantage of this route is that it forces you to complete the second stage of the journey via Belgrade. Leave from London this morning and travel with the Eurostar to Brussels Midi. And whats more, the daytime journey from Belgrade to Sofia is long, slow and, if done in the summer months, incredibly hot and crowded. Eurail passes are valid for this journey. TMR RECOMMENDS: If you have the time, its well worth spending an extra night or two in Budapest so that you have time to explore this beautiful city. Get inspired - Discover Europe with Eurail. Easy on the booze though, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. Reservations are not compulsory on national trains in Turkey. Have a leisurely breakfast or quick lunch in Vienna before changing trains to head east to Budapest and arrive in the evening of day two. The Roman Empire's first Christian Cathedral, from the date of its construction in 537 AD, and until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted by the Fourth Crusaders to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. Check out ourreservation-free itineraries. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Here the views stretch across a minaret studded panorama from Europe to Asia, and you can really reflect on how far youve come. Little wonder then that there is a huge wealth of historic monuments to see. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, by plane, train, bus, bus and ferry, night train, car, car train or car ferry, Fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Istanbul (IST), Take the bus from London Victoria Green Line Station to Sofia Central Bus Station, Fly from London City (LCY) to Istanbul (IST), Take the train from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport, Fly from London Gatwick (LGW) to Istanbul (IST), Fly from London Stansted (STN) to Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), Take the train from London Euston to Birmingham International, Fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Istanbul (IST), Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Paris Nord, Take the train from Paris Est to Mnchen Hbf, Take the train from Mnchen Hbf to Salzburg Hbf, Take the train from Paris l'Est to Stuttgart Hbf, Take the train from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hbf, Take the bus from London Victoria to Bucharest, Take the bus from Constanta to Istanbul - Aksaray, Take the bus and ferry from London Victoria Station to Veliko Turnovo, Take the night train from Veliko Tarnovo to Halkali, Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais-Frthun. Before you arrive for a connection, get it packed so as soon as you arrive, you can head straight for left luggage. Hagia Sophia was a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and is now a museum (Ayasofya Mzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. Be warned though, although its totally possible to do it this way; youll be missing out on one of Europes most exciting cities. Id recommend a couple of overnight city stops en route with an Interrail Pass for travel flexibility. In the late morning, return to the station for a direct train to Budapest. The last leg into Turkey is something of an adventure in itself. Old man playing the violin in Bucharest, a great city to explore by train on the way from London to Istanbul Image credit: nicubunuphotos.

The first part of your epic rail adventure involves boarding the Eurostar high-speed train from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.

Guests can enjoy snacks and drinks in the on-site bistro, while the Old Town, with numerous restaurants and bars can be reached in less than 10 minutes on foot. If youre travelling within the EU get a couple of Euro coins handy, otherwise you may have to head for an ATM quickly, get some cash then visit a newsstand to break a note for some coins for the left luggage. There are several bus companies here that take you across the border to the Bulgarian capital in about an hour for only a few euros. Youll need to make sure youve arranged a Turkish visa first, as the days of being able to simply purchase one at the border are numbered. For this itinerary were focusing on the route through Sofia, since that is the itinerary depicted in Murder on the Orient Express. Conveniently situated just 5 minutes walk from Munichs main station and 10 minutes walk from the historical centre, the Courtyard by Marriott Munich City Centre offers comfortable, convenient accommodation with modern interiors. Take a dip in the mineral-rich 35C waters, while marvelling at natures unique work. To reach Esphesus take the train to Seluk and from there take a mini-bus from the main bus station to the site. Spend a free morning in majestic Hungarian capital Budapest. And for marine-lovers indulge in Turkeys most breathtaking scuba-diving within sapphire waters. Couchette reservations start from just 10. Pamukkale a terrace of hot spring in the Denizli Province is another absolute must-see . From here, instead of continuing to Budapest where the journey splits, you can head south east and make your way to Belgrade via the Slovenian capital Ljubljana and the Croatian capital Zagreb. Complimentary Wi-FI internet access is available throughout the hotel. Take the Eurostar to Brussels instead of Paris, and after a look around and maybe a lunch of moules frites by the Grand Place, head across the German border to change trains again at Cologne. Now, the latest film adaptation starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Penelope Cruz shows that the route still evokes a sense of grandeur. The Eurail Global Pass and the Eurail Select Pass are valid on all trains operated by TCDD (Turkish Republic State Railways). After a long Interrailing train journey from western Europe, take some time out to relax in one of Istanbuls historical Turkish baths Image credit: miguelvirkkunen. The trip can take as little as 2 hours and 23 minutes. Built into the southern wing of the railway station, this superb French-style property is amongst Munichs best hotels. Find all the transport options for your trip from London to Istanbul right here. The point is that you want to get a flavour of the places you stop in, you dont need to follow the whole tourist trail. In many ways, its the first place where east Europe meets west. When youve seen enough of Paris (has anyone ever, by the way? To reach Greme in Cappadocia take the train to Kayseri and from there take a bus. Greme a small town and one of the only remaining Cappadocian settlements is a good base from which to explore this fascinating place. The super fast trains of western Europe like TGV, Thalys and ICE all incur extra charges. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. What are the travel restrictions in Istanbul? Aside from that, pack a good guidebook Top Ten Istanbul (from DK Eyewitness Travel) is an excellent option for a short trip as it cuts out all the extraneous detail that the Rough Guides and Lonely Planets tend to pack in and try to cram as much as you can in before you return home. By signing up for our newsletter you agree to our terms and conditions. The sleeper train you will be catching is fairly modern and comfortable but its advisable to stock up on supplies for dinner and breakfast before you leave as catering facilities are limited onboard.

Buried in the heart of this huge country is Turkeys splendid treasure: Cappadocia. Subscribe to be the first to know about our latest deals and get travel inspiration. Interrailing from London to Istanbul by train is one of the worlds greatest train journeys. Would you rather avoid reservations all together? Id heartily recommend an overnight stop in the vibrant Serbian capital, but if youre stretched for time, you can head onward through the length of the country to cross over into Bulgaria the same day. To reach the Pamukkale take the train to Denizli and from there take a bus. Around midday, its time to return to the station and catch your sleeper train to Istanbul. The area around the harbour is where the most spirited bars and clubs can be found. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These days the Pullman carriages and steam locos have been replaced by high-speed trains and shared sleeper carriages. With a Eurail pass valid in Turkey, you can take a ferry crossing for2 on the following route (no reservation necessary): Ephesus should be your first stop if youre in search of ancient Roman remains along with Pompeii its the best-preserved ancient settlement in the Mediterranean. But if thats where you were planning to visit anyway, then this route could work for you, and Zurich is an extremely pleasant spot to break the journey. Let the sights and sounds of Morocco seduce you on this incredible adventure. Back on board, you should be able to get a couple of hours more sleep before waking well on the way to Istanbul. Dont let a visit to Munich the capital city of the Bavaria region pass by without visiting at least one of its famous Biergartens. For more recent historical beauty head to mythical Amasya, with its enchanting Ottoman houses and impressive offering of mosques. Reaching your final destination is incredibly exciting.

Turkey is a box of goodies for any travel enthusiast. Am I allowed to travel from United Kingdom to Turkey? Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Located in the centre of Bucharest, a 2-minute walk from the University Square, K+K Hotel Elisabeta offers modern accommodation with free WiFi and access to 2 types of sauna and a fitness room. From here, change trains and head to the Serbian border town of Dimitrovgrad. Spend a while exploring the French capital, giving yourself time to look around the beautiful Parisian train station. Your journey takes you via Chiemsee (known as the Bavarian Sea) and Salzburg with rolling scenery and distant mountains to watch through your window as you perhaps enjoy lunch in the restaurant car. Are there restrictions returning to United Kingdom from Turkey? You dont want to be exploring too far from the station and then have a mad dash back to catch your connection if you get lost or waylaid. You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart.

), hop on the daily direct TGV service to Munich from Gare de Lest it takes you there in just 5 and a half hours, arriving in Munich in the evening. Youll have covered the whole of Europe from west to east and seen the culture slowly change. Please try again later. Be warned, you may find it hard to leave this all-encompassing Mediterranean jewel. The route from Budapest to the Romanian capital Bucharest takes you over some picturesque mountain scenery, and youll find the trains some of the best to be experienced in eastern Europe, with comfortable sleeper cars and buffet cars serving very reasonably priced full cooked to order meals. Please tick the box below if you do not want to subscribe. You will then pull into Istanbul Halkali station where, currently, the train journey ends and an air-conditioned replacement coach takes you the remainder of the way into the centre of Istanbul. You have another free morning in Bucharest before your second sleeper train journey south towards Turkey. On arrival in Budapest, check in at the Hotel Rum (or similar) for an overnight stay. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As youll be visiting more than one country, youll need an Interrail global pass. Mavi Trenler and Ekspresler (interregional trains), Blgesel Ekspresler (interregional express trains), Ray Otobs ve Mototrenler and Normal Yolcu Trenleri (regional trains). Other major cities or tourist spots that can be reached by rail from Istanbul directly are Edirne, Eskisehir, Denizli (near Pamukkale), Konya, Adana, Kayseri, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Kars, and Tatvan on the shore of Lake Van. Take a trip up the Galata Tower to see a wonderful panoramic view of Istanbul which encompasses both Europe and Asia Image credit: Juraj Patekar. Enjoy some further free time in Istanbul before making your way to the airport for a flight back to the UK (not included). And if youre spending the night in a sleeper car, then there will naturally be further supplements. The Golden Horn (Turkish: Altn Boynuz; Ancient Greek: , Chryskeras; Latin: Sinus Ceratinus), also known by its modern Turkish name as Hali, is a major urban waterway and the primary inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.