Travelzoo: London to Istanbul by Rail
- 8
- £999
- EXCLUSIVE Travelzoo Holiday
- Overland journey by train from the UK to Istanbul
- Two exciting sleeper journeys from Vienna to Bucharest and Bucharest to Istanbul
- Stops en route in Stuttgart, Vienna and Bucharest
- Return flight to London
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- FREE rail connections from your local station (on the same day as your outbound journey to Stuttgart / return flight from Istanbul)
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 5 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Two overnight sleeper journeys with a private compartment for two people
- Flights from Istanbul to the UK in Economy Class
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
PLEASE NOTE: This holiday is only available between 15 June and 5 October, 2025.
Suggested Itinerary
After travelling to St Pancras from your local station, board a high-speed Eurostar over to Paris. Here, you have a short walk between Gare du Nord and the eastern terminus, Gare de l’Est. You then pick up a TGV train along one of Europe’s fastest lines as far as Strasbourg, where the crossing of the Rhine signals your third country of the day, Germany. Arrive in Stuttgart in the evening and check into the Arcotel Camino (or similar).
Today’s direct train between these two cities takes you firstly south to Lake Constance, then along the beautiful Arlberg Pass in the Austrian Tyrol, on a picturesque Alpine route. The journey involves an early start from Stuttgart this morning for this once-daily scenic train. If you prefer, you can leave later and travel via Munich, arriving into Vienna at a similar time. Feel free to talk this over with one of the team. On arrival in Vienna, check in at the Hotel Zeitgeist (or similar) for an overnight stay.
TMR Recommends: Extend your stay in Vienna to 2 nights for an extra £70 per person. You can also upgrade your daytime trains between the UK and Vienna to First Class for an additional £100 per person.
You have the bulk of today to explore the Austrian capital – stroll along the famous Ringstrasse, visit historic museums and palaces or simply sit with a hot drink and a slice of cake in a Viennese café. In the evening, board the first of your overnight sleeper journeys, travelling through to Bucharest. The train journeys through Hungary and into Romania overnight – there is an excellent Hungarian restaurant car attached as far as Budapest, so treat yourself to dinner once you’re on board. Wake up in your sleeper cabin to wonderful scenery through Transylvania, as the train passes the town of Sighisoara and onwards towards Brasov, close to Dracula’s Castle. Arrive in Bucharest after lunch (take a picnic on board beforehand!) and you check into Le Boutique Hotel Moxa (or similar) for an overnight stay.
TMR RECOMMENDS: Stop off in Transylvania on the way – enhance your trip with a 2-night stop in Brasov, including a day trip to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle). Additional £150 per person.
You have some extra time this morning to look around Bucharest. Don’t miss a trip to the lively old town, known as Lipscani, and the enormous Palace of the People, once home to notorious dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Return to the station and board the late-morning departure to Istanbul. Cross into Bulgaria, taking in some scenic landscapes before arriving at the Turkish border late at night. You’ll need to exit the train to complete customs formalities and you then re-board to enjoy some sleep on the way into Istanbul. It is worth noting that this train does not have any catering facilities, so be sure to take plenty of supplies on board!
On arrival into Istanbul, travel into the centre of the city on the excellent new metro line and check in at the Hotel Erboy (or similar), in the heart of the Sultanahmet area within easy reach of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar. You have a 2-night stay here.
Spend a full day discovering the sights of Istanbul. Haggle for bargains in the Grand Bazaar over a glass of apple tea, visit the monumental Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia or cruise down the Bosphorus and cross the continental border into Asia.
TMR Recommends: Extend your stay in Istanbul to 3 nights for an additional £60 per person.
Board a flight home to the UK today as your epic adventure comes to an end.
EXTENSION – CAPPADOCIA
Travel into Asian Turkey on board a high-speed train and spend 3 nights in a cave hotel in the fabled town of Göreme. Experience the magic of a sunrise hotel air balloon ride in this incredible landscape. This is an extra £700 per person including high-speed rail, transfers, hotel, balloon ride and your flight from Kayseri Airport to London with Turkish Airlines.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Stuttgart
Offering soundproofed with internet, spa facilities, and fine Swabian cuisine, this stylish, 4-star superior hotel is just a 5-minute walk from . WiFi is available in all areas. The hotel provides spacious, air-conditioned rooms and apartments with flat-screen TV and a laptop safe. The pa area features a Finnish sauna, rain forest shower, and steam room.
Vienna
Conveniently located close to Vienna’s central station, the Zeitgeist is a modern hotel featuring a rooftop sauna and terrace with a putting green. The air-conditioned bedrooms feature free Wi-Fi internet access, large flat-screen cable TVs and large picture windows. There is also an à la carte restaurant and bar.
Bucharest
Located in the centre of Bucharest, the MOXA Boutique Hotel offers easy access to the sights of the city. Bedrooms are all furnished in an elegant, classic style with free Wi-Fi internet access, flat-screen TVs, bathrobes & slippers and a safe. Breakfast is served in the attractive lounge, where you can also relax with a drink in the evening. The hotel also boasts a spa and wellness centre and a garden.
Istanbul
The Erboy Hotel is located in the historic Sirkeci district of Istanbul. All air-conditioned bedrooms feature large windows, with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, en suite bathrooms and slippers. There are two restaurants on site, one on the ground floor and another on the roof with a terrace offering panoramic views over the city.
