StratoP
Traveller
0 comments
Posted 10 years ago
Hi,
So I'm planning to take the train from Brussels Midi to Istanbul. It's actually my first time using the train covering such long distance. I should arrive on the 2nd of February. I'll go back the 7th.
The railcc connection schedule gives me this main stops:
Brussels Midi
-->Frankfurt am Main
-->Vienna
-->Budapest
-->Belgrade
-->Sofia
-->Dimitrovgrad
-->Istanbul
Now, I realize it's not possible to book my tickets beforehand, but I was wondering if there's someone who also did almost the same route as me. I wanted to know whether it's perfectly possible and do-able to just buy my tickets on the go. So I don't need to plan ahead in other words, just know which station I need to get off. So I would just go to Brussels Midi on a Thursday, take a train to Frankfurt am Main etc... and then arrive in Istanbul on Sunday.
I've never done this before so I don't really know how to do this :p
Thanks!
Strato
nltrainer
Traveller
1405 comments
you can do, but will throw away many lots of money by doing it. Noone does it like that anymore,only train-aficionado's. PLus that trains in the Balkans are quite something different from the IR BRU-Oudenaarde.
OR clarify what you mean by ''booking''BUY or reserve seats? The latter is in fact for most sectors not even needed, but depends on the trains used. This site is specific for InterRail-which would cover the total journey (except in BE if you live there)-IF you choose trains wisely, but for some trips you might need to pay extra.
IF you want to do it the way by buying tickets-then book at least-can do via link on this site, as far as Wien or Budapest, with 2 tix, break somewhere in DE. IN DE you are then tied to trains chosen, further on there is free choice. Buy local in BP, also in BG, Sof, for lower price, last part in TR is bus replacement as long as it lasts.
The idea that the scheme would work? Hopefully, more likely are heavy delays somewhere-causing you to miss next train, etc. Beyond BP its just 1 or 2 trains daily.........
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej Strato!
I would look into pre booked tickets for the part until Budapest, from there you can continue with tickets bought directly at the stations.
Budapest - Belgrade: Beograd Special, bought directly at the station in Budapest for 15€.
Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul: Bought in Beograd at Wasteels office at the main exit; will be about 45€ one way.
If you take the day train from Budapest to Belgrade you have about one hour connection time for the night train to Sofia however there have been reports that this connection is missed sometimes so you might instead use the Budapest - Belgrade night train and spend the day in Belgrade (I quite like the city).
From Belgrade to Sofia currently only the night train runs, I would recommend to book a berth in a couchette.
From Sofia to Istanbul you also travel overnight; a couchette reservation is needed. The train currently does not serve Istanbul directly but buses run as a replacement service from Cerkezköy about two hours from Istanbul.
Couchette reservations in all these trains are about 10€ each.
For the way back you can take the same way or travel via Bucarest.
Either way, it will make sense to buy a Balkan Flexi Pass for travel in Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey (and Romania); a 5day within 1month pass is just 53€ if bought locally at a station (for instance in Belgrade).
To get to Budapest I would look into a Europa Spezial ticket from Deutsche Bahn. Have a look at [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] and enter Aachen and Budapest as departure and arrival station; for February there are tickets available from about 79€ one way.
Aachen is just across the border so you can get there with normal SNCB tickets - ask at the counter in Bruxelles.
If you need more help, let us know.
Flo 8)