London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

1,144 Views
15 Days From

$6144

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

15 Days Starting in London and ending in Istanbul

Visiting: Zurich, Vienna, Budapest, Alba Iulia, Brasov, Sighisoara, Bucharest, Sofia, Istanbul

Tour operator:

Undiscovered Destinations

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Interests:

Cultural, History, Rail Tours

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $6144

NB: Prices correct on 24-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

A unique opportunity to travel in comfort and style all the way by train from the UK to Istanbul. Fully escorted by Undiscovered Destinations’ senior travel consultant Mark Huggins, enjoy a thoroughly well-planned journey which includes all trains and hotels, together with sightseeing excursions provided by experienced locally based guides.

Highlights

  • A unique opportunity to travel by first class train from London to Istanbul, staying in mostly 4 and 5 star hotels along the way

  • Travel by a range of comfortable daytime trains and one overnight sleeper

  • Stopover in Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria

  • Enjoy lunch in Paris, at the Gare de Lyon's famous Train Bleu restaurant, which opened in 1900 and is decorated in a sumptuous art nouveau style

  • Travel by a modern Railjet train from Zurich to Vienna across the Arlberg pass. Take in spectacular Alpine scenery with the option to have lunch served at your seat

  • Explore fabled Transylvania and travel through the scenic Carpathian Mountains

  • Immerse yourself in the rich history of Romania’s largest fortress, the Alba Iulia Citadel, and enjoy wine tasting in its 300 year old cellars

  • Join a local ranger and spot brown bears in the wilds of the Transylvanian forests

  • End your adventure with a stay in Istanbul at the iconic Pera Palace Hotel, where it is said Agatha Christie wrote her novel, Murder on the Orient Express

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : London To Zurich With Lunch In Paris At The Train Bleu Restaurant

Location: Zurich

Accommodation Name: Hotel Bristol Zurich or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Meet Mark, your Undiscovered Destinations’ tour leader, at London’s impressive Gothic revival St. Pancras station. He will be waiting for you by the statue of poet laureate John Betjeman who led the campaign to save the station from being demolished. Take a morning Eurostar, with a light breakfast served at our seats, to Paris. Upon arrival at the city’s Gare du Nord station road transport will be provided to take us to the Gare de Lyon, the Paris terminus serving trains to Switzerland. Before boarding our next train, a high-speed TGV to Zurich, we will break the journey for a leisurely lunch in the opulent surroundings of the Gare de Lyon's famous Train Bleu restaurant. Continue from Paris to Zurich on a TGV-Lyria train, a journey of just over four hours, passing through a patchwork of quiet French villages and open fields, briefly pausing at Dijon before reaching Basel, the Swiss border, and gently rising foothills of the Alps. Arrive in Zurich at around 8.30pm and make our way to our overnight accommodation, located just a few minutes’ walk from the station. Overnight Hotel Bristol Zurich or similar. (BL)

Day 2 : Zurich To Vienna Via The Arlberg Pass

Location: Zurich

Accommodation Name: Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, we make our way back to the station for a mid-morning departure by slick Austrian Railjet train to Vienna. The wonderfully scenic journey will take us via the fabulous Arlberg Pass that lances dramatically through the Alps and into the Austrian Tirol. The train runs along the Zürichsee and Walensee lakes, and then hugs the mountainside, before it snakes through a huge valley, past Swiss and Austrian scenery taken straight from the Sound of Music. Sit back, relax, and perhaps enjoy lunch which can be purchased (debit and credit cards accepted) on the train to be served at your first class seat. Arrive in Vienna and check-in to our hotel, located close to the station. Overnight Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof or similar. (B)

Day 3 : Vienna Walking Tour And Continue To Budapest

Location: Vienna

Accommodation Name: Intercity Hotel Budapest or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Austria's capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cosy wine taverns, and the special Viennese charm. Explore the city on a morning walking tour with a local guide, before we take a mid-afternoon Railjet train that flashes up the broad Danube Valley to Budapest, erstwhile gateway to the exotic east. Upon arrival at the city’s uniquely designed Keleti station, intriguingly adorned with statues of British railway icons James Watt and George Stephenson, we will walk the short distance to our hotel and check-in for a two night stay. Overnight Intercity Hotel Budapest or similar. (B)

Day 4 : Budapest Walking Tour

Location: Budapest

Accommodation Name: Intercity Hotel Budapest or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we will meet our guide in the lobby of the hotel and enjoy an in-depth look at Budapest’s attractions and contemporary culture on a four-hour walking tour. Set off to visit the city’s most popular sights, gaining an insight into the history of these fusion of the two great cities of Buda and Pest and their development from Roman to modern times, witnessing a glorious array of architectural wonders. During the tour pause for traditional cake and coffee (included in the price of our tour) before pre-paid public transportation takes us to Buda’s landmark Castle Hill from where vistas of the Danube and the city are a delight. Later, return to the hotel and the rest of the day will be free. Of course, you can take the opportunity to explore more of the city on your own and your guide will no doubt be happy to offer advice, or perhaps you might head to one the famous thermal baths to while away the afternoon and recharge your batteries. Overnight Intercity Hotel Budapest or similar. (B)

Day 5 : Budapest To Alba Iulia, Transylvania

Location: Alba Iulia

Accommodation Name: Hotel Transilvania or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we make our way back to the station to board a modern intercity train named Claudiopolis for Romania. Our first of two stops in the country’s historical Transylvania region will be the city of Alba Iulia located on the River Mureș. As the journey is scheduled to take around nine hours we should be prepared for a long and tiring day, but we will be rewarded with some fabulous scenery. After the warm southern plains of Hungary recede and the Romanian border is crossed, our route follows the Mureş River which snakes its way steadily uphill into the heart of ancient Transylvania. Liberally forested mountains cloak the eye-line on either side of the carriage as we head east, crossing viaducts towards our destination. At around 6pm we will reach Alba Iulia, where we will walk from the railway station to our hotel, a distance of about 2km. Alternatively taxis are available at the station. Overnight Hotel Transilvania or similar. (B)

Day 6 : Walking Tour Of Alba Iulia Citadel With Wine Tasting

Location: Alba Iulia

Accommodation Name: Hotel Transilvania or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast we will walk the 1.5km from our hotel to the Alba Carolina Citadel, a star-shaped fortress, built between 1715 and 1738 and the largest citadel in Romania, which we will explore with a local guide. After our visit we will enjoy wine tasting accompanied by regional cheeses, hosted by a local wine expert, in the citadel’s 300-year old cellars or catacombs. Mid-afternoon return to our hotel with the rest of the day at leisure to relax or to explore on your own. Overnight Hotel Transilvania or similar. (B)

Day 7 : Alba Iulia To Brasov And Bear Watching

Location: Brasov

Accommodation Name: Qosmo Brasov Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we head back to the station and continue our adventure through Transylvania by taking an intercity train to Brasov, a journey of around five hours. The line sweeps up the broad valley of the River Olt, dotted with small towns and farming villages. Keep your eyes peeled for the fortifications that tell of the turbulent past of the region before the route rises steadily into the hills, plunging into a tunnel to emerge at the start of the descent to our destination. Upon arrival we will walk the 1.3km to our hotel. After check-in and time for a quick freshen up, we will meet our local guide and head back out for a three to four hour excursion to spot brown bears in the wilds of the Transylvanian forests. We join a ranger and trek into the forest in search of a hide, then wait quietly in hope of spotting the Carpathian brown bear that inhabit the region. We might also see deer, wild boar, lynx, and other native wildlife. Return to our hotel at around 7pm. Overnight Qosmo Brasov Hotel or similar. (B) Note As food and drink is not always available to purchase on today’s train, it is essential you bring your own provisions. A variety of shops can be found near the station or ask the hotel to provide a picnic.

Day 8 : Full Day Guided Tour To Sighisoara, Viscri And Rupea Citadel

Location: Sighisoara

Accommodation Name: Qosmo Brasov Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we will make the most of our limited time in the region by discovering three of Transylvania's oldest and most captivating historical sights on a full day tour. We start by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sighisoara, a medieval fortified city, followed by a stop at the 14th-century village of Viscri and its listed fortified Saxon church. For our last stop we will visit the impressive Rupea Citadel, perched atop a hill, with breathtaking views. Return to Brasov by early evening. Overnight Qosmo Brasov Hotel or similar. (B) Notes Please note this excursion does not include meals or drinks but a stop will be made for lunch payable locally.

Day 9 : Brasov To Bucharest And Afternoon City Tour

Location: Bucharest

Accommodation Name: ibis Styles Bucharest City Center or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we will take a train at around 9am for Bucharest, a journey of two-and-a-half hours. Upon arrival at the city’s Gara Nord station we walk the 1km to our hotel. After check-in and time for some lunch (payable locally), we will meet our guide for a three hour city tour travelling by private vehicle. Bucharest stands as a curious blend of 16th and 17th century opulence in the heart of the Old City and the extraordinarily dramatic imprint of the soviet-leaning Ceausescu’s take on architecture. Discover the key sights including the grandiose Palace of Parliament and explore the city centre including the Royal Palace, Revolution Square, and Calea Victoriei. Return to our hotel. Overnight ibis Styles Bucharest City Center or similar. (B)

Day 10 : Bucharest To Sofia, Bulgaria By Road

Location: Sofia

Accommodation Name: Sofia Hilton or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Given the lack of a convenient rail service, today we will need to plug the gap in our overland train adventure by traveling to our next destination, Bulgaria’s underrated capital, Sofia, by road. However, this will give us the opportunity to make a short stop along the way at the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Bulgarian side of the border. Here we can marvel at a medieval church, filled with vibrant frescoes, and carved into a cliff. Later we continue about four hours to Sofia, where we will check-in at our luxury hotel for a two night stay. Overnight Sofia Hilton or similar. (B)

Day 11 : Sofia City Tour And Folklore Dinner

Location: Sofia

Accommodation Name: Sofia Hilton or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we will meet our guide for a two to three walking tour of Sofia taking in the key sights including the Central Market Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the vibrant historical city centre. After returning to our hotel the remainder of the day will be free until we head out for dinner which we will take in a local restaurant with traditional folklore music and dance. Overnight Sofia Hilton or similar. (BD)

Day 12 : Sofia To Plovdiv And Overnight Train To Istanbul

Location: Sofia

Accommodation Name: Overnight train (4 berth couchette compartment, booked for exclusive use)

Meals Included: Breakfast

As we approach the final leg of our transcontinental adventure, we take a morning train at around 10am from Sofia to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city and a journey of about two-and-half hours. Like Rome, Plovdiv straddles seven hills; but as Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, it is far more ancient. With our local guide we will explore its romantic old town, packed with colourful and creaky 19th-century mansions that are now house-museums and galleries. After the tour we will take dinner (payable local), before we board the overnight sleeper train, bound for Istanbul. In the late evening, the train will reach the Bulgarian / Turkish border, and passengers must disembark to have their passport checked. Your luggage will also be examined and possibly put through an x-ray machine. After a stop of about an hour the train continues to Istanbul, arriving early the next morning. Overnight train (4 berth couchette compartment, booked for exclusive use). (B)

Day 13 : Arrive Istanbul And Afternoon Food Tour

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Pera Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive in Istanbul early in the morning. At the time of writing, owing to construction work, our train terminates at Halkali, a suburban station 25km west of central Istanbul. Rather than taking a local train into the city, we will be met at Halkali station and transferred by private vehicle directly to our centrally located hotel, the iconic Pera Palace Hotel. As our rooms have been booked for the night before, this will ensure that early check-in is guaranteed for our group. Ater time to freshen up you will be invited to enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant which is served until 10:30. Later, and after getting some rest, we leave the hotel to meet our local guide for a private food tour. We visit the Çiçek Pasajı, originally called the Cité de Péra, a famous covered arcade with rows of historic cafes, winehouses and restaurants. And it is here we will try different food and drinks with each tasting hand-picked by our host based on their love for food, and knowledge of the city. Enjoy only the most authentic bites the city has to offer before returning to our hotel or exploring on your own. Overnight Pera Palace Hotel. (BL)

Day 14 : Istanbul Full Day Tour And Farewell Dinner At The Pera Palace Hotel

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Pera Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we will meet our guide for the final tour of the trip, a full day excursion of Istanbul. Experience the city’s timeless sights and stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers, and generals at Topkapi Palace. With time for lunch (included as part of the tour) between sights, we finish our day with a stop at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, with its labyrinthine of passageways, before returning to the Pera Palace. Later join Mark and your fellow travellers as we enjoy a farewell dinner served in the hotel’s Agatha Restaurant. A truly fitting way to celebrate our own version of the Orient Express. Overnight Pera Palace Hotel. (BLD)

Day 15 : Depart Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we check-out of the hotel and a private transfer will be provided to the international airport to coincide with your departure. (B)

What's Included

  • Tour leader

    The services of an Undiscovered Destinations’ tour leader.

  • Accommodation

    All accommodation.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast (B), plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) where shown in the itinerary.

  • Rail travel

    Rail travel based on first class seats for daytime journeys and private sleeping compartments for overnight journeys.

  • Guided sightseeing tours

    Guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary, with the services of a private English-speaking guide or driver/guide.

  • Transfers

    Transfers as per itinerary with a private car or minibus.

  • Entrance fees

    Unless stated otherwise, entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary.

  • Airport transfer

    Hotel to airport private transfer in Istanbul.

What's Not Included

  • International flights

    International flights

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel Insurance

  • Visas

    Visas – when required

  • Meals and drinks not stated

    Meals and drinks not stated in the itinerary

  • Tips

    Tips (Discretionary)

Mode of Transport

Travel by a range of comfortable daytime trains and one overnight sleeper. Rail travel based on first class seats for daytime journeys and private sleeping compartments for overnight journeys.

Accommodation

All accommodation in mostly 4 and 5 star hotels along the way.

Check out our Q&As

  • What meals are included in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Daily breakfast (B), plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) where shown in the itinerary are included.

  • What type of accommodations are provided in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    All accommodation in mostly 4 and 5 star hotels along the way.

  • What are the exclusions in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Exclusions include international flights, travel insurance, visas when required, meals and drinks not stated in the itinerary, and tips (discretionary).

  • What countries does the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure visit?

    The London to Istanbul Rail Adventure visits the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

  • Are there any guided tours included in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Yes, guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary, with the services of a private English-speaking guide or driver/guide are included.

  • What are the highlights of the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Highlights of the tour include traveling by first class train and staying in mostly 4 and 5 star hotels, enjoying lunch in Paris at the Gare de Lyon's Train Bleu restaurant, traveling across the Arlberg pass with spectacular Alpine scenery, exploring Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains, wine tasting in Alba Iulia's 300 year old cellars, bear spotting in Transylvania, and ending the adventure with a stay in Istanbul at the iconic Pera Palace Hotel.

  • What is the starting point of the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    The starting point of the tour is London, specifically at St. Pancras station.

  • What type of transportation is used in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Travel by a range of comfortable daytime trains and one overnight sleeper. Rail travel based on first class seats for daytime journeys and private sleeping compartments for overnight journeys.

  • Are airport transfers included in the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    Yes, hotel to airport private transfer in Istanbul is included.

  • What is the ending point of the London to Istanbul Rail Adventure?

    The ending point of the tour is Istanbul, at the Pera Palace Hotel.

  • I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?

    In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    No, sorry this is not possible.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.

  • Can I alter the tour?

    On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We have been going since 2004.

Reviews of this operator

Amelia Fish (Google Reviewer)  

Very many thanks to Mark...

15-Oct-2020

Very many thanks to Mark Huggins at Undiscovered for helping us to arrange a private tour of the best of cape Town/ wine lands followed by an unforgettable safari in Greater Kruger Park. Having been on safari before we can say that this part of the holiday was really exceptional with regards to Marks knowledge of location whilst also very good value for money. We will certainly be back for our next big holiday!

Veronica  

Albania Explorer

05-Apr-2022

We had a fantastic time touring the length and breadth of Albania. Despite Covid it actually felt like we were doing normal things for the first time in a long time! Amazing scenery, ancient towns and ruins, fabulous hotels and food and so cheap - we can't believe Albania isn't on more people's radar. This is the 2nd time we've travelled with Undiscovered Destinations and both times they've offered full flexibility in terms of changing dates. On this occasion we also switched to a different tour & country only a month beforehand - we were originally booked to go to Lebanon in 2020 and postponed to 2021, but we were offered full flexibility with our plans (go, postpone again, refund or book something else). Knowledgeable & helpful staff and great value for money. Highly recommend.

MattS,  

Oman - Desert to the Coast - Small Group Tour

14-Nov-2021

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Beth Sinclair (Google Reviewer)  

Had the most wonderful holiday...

08-Sep-2014

Had the most wonderful holiday in Madagascar with Undiscovered Destinations. Everything was planned very well, and to say it was stunning would be an understatement. I found it particularly relaxing knowing that all the details were taken care of. We had a detailed itinerary, with a mixture of animals, scenery, and history. Excellent and will definitely be organising another trip with this company.

Olivps  

Superb anthropology and ethnographic paradise found in Ivory Coast

14-Jan-2022

Fantastic cultural tour with diverse experience of multiple tribes in Western Africa. Undiscovered Destinations offers a very nice package of tours to Africa and other countries

Susan Talbot (Google Reviewer)  

We did an Undiscovered Destinations...

23-Jul-2014

We did an Undiscovered Destinations tour to Burma and it was excellent. When looking into trips we found most of the tours offered by the larger companies to be very similar. We wanted something different. This was our 3rd trip with UD, and we're already looking at number 4!

Jason  

Discovering Albania

05-Oct-2021

Travelled to the lesser explored Albania. Destroyed and rebuilt be successive conquerors, Albania is a gem. Exquisitely fertile, with a long and varied history. A generous country with a comfortable pace to travel. Efficient, responding to queries quickly. Well organised.tour.

JuliaK  

An immersive tailor made trip in lesser travelled parts of India staying in heritage hotels with superb wildlife experiences

20-Dec-2019

With a car and driver we travelled through Rajasthan and Gujarat , staying at beautiful hotels and experiencing varied local life . We visited temples and with local guides explored udaipur, Mount Abu and the temples of palitana. We had a number of jeep safaris to spot leopards, lions and wild ass, each safari a magical experience. Undiscovered destinations, worked with us to tailor make our trip based on a group tour they run. We were keen not have only one night anywhere and ensure the travelling each day was restricted to half a day. We gave a budget we could afford and they came up with an amazing experience, with one driver and being joined by local guides where appropriate.

Julia Johnston (Google Reviewer)  

We booked through UD for...

20-Aug-2020

We booked through UD for our first family worldwide trip to Sri Lanka. We have always been keen travellers, and what an introduction for our 6 year old son, to the amazing world of travel. The destinations, the recommendations, the guide, the itinerary, the balance, all was faultless for a memorable trip. The sound knowledge given by the UD consultant was what made us book, and on returning from the trip, has given us the confidence to book again. WE as a family are back on the travelling circuit.

Sarah Tinsley (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic tour...

06-Sep-2023

We had a fantastic tour of Madagascar with this company, really detailed itinirerary with lots of variety including animals, scenery and time to relax. The hotels they booked us into were not what we requested and all transfers private which was unnecessary. Other than that, great!

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Friday - Friday

May 09, 2025 - May 23, 2025
$6144
Prices last published on 30-May-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered destinations charges.

    Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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