Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Posted 8 years ago
Hi,
I'm planning Sofia-Ankara as a part of my InterRail trip. I would like to leave on Wednesday the 4th of May 2016, in the morning. However since there's a lot of construction work going on I was wondering if someone could give me a detailed route with time information (train+bus).
I can't find it, Interrail it self doesn't seem to know it...
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
Currently the train from Bucharest and Sofia to Istanbul is replaced by a bus in Turkey due to construction works. Read more about it in the blog: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/bucharest-sofia-istanbul-train/[/u]
This is the only train connection to Turkey, meaning if you dont want to do the overnight trip you will have to do the whole trip by bus (several daily connections from Sofia and Plovdiv to Istanbul).
When in Istanbul, you can continue towards Ankara. Again, due to construction works, eastbound trains currently only start at Pendik, far away from the city centre.
There are several direct trains to Ankara. Seat reservation is required and only available locally in Turkey as far as I know. I would recommend to get one a few days in advance (they are supposed to be free for Interrail), best place to get them should be the old Sirkeci station [u]https://rail.cc/en/istanbul/istanbul-sirkeci-terminal/l250[/u] right in the centre of the city.
I'd be really curious to hear from your experiences! :)
We are official partners of interrail.eu - to support the free information and the forum on railcc, please be fair and buy your official Interrail pass via our railcc partner link: [ux]https://rail.shop/interrail[/ux] And dont forget about the current 15% discount: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/interrail-promo-2016/[/u]
Thank you! :)
Flo 8)
Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Thanks for your quick reply. However, I'd really like to have some sort of planning since I would also like to visit more countries later on during my Interrail month..
Is there any information at what times the DIRECT (preferably) buses depart from Kapikule in the direction of Istanbul (and the other way around)? Got quite a tight schedule :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Sofia 1915 - 0148 Kapikule > by train
In Kapikule, you have to leave the train and go through customs and passport control (you have to get an electronic visa too), afterwards the bus leaves towards Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul is scheduled at 0750, however the bus is reported to arrive earlier frequently (depending on road condition etc).
If you want to travel all the way by bus, there are several direct buses every day, travelling during the day or overnight. Sadly, both the schedule searches on [ux]http://www.centralnaavtogara.bg/[/ux] and [ux]https://www.metroturizm.com.tr[/ux] dont come up with results, but the buses definitely run.
For schedules Istanbul (Pendik) to Ankara check [ux]http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/[/ux]
Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Ok thanks (where do you find these times?). Does the bus wait for all the passengers of the train? And If I would like to go back, at what time does the bus leave in Istanbul / whats the time the train leaves in Kapikule?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
I had a quick look at the ERT :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/european-rail-timetable/[/u]
You can also check on the schedule planner of Bulgarian Railways, however it shows domestic connections only, so you have to look for Sofia to Svilengrad: [u]http://razpisanie.bdz.bg/[/u]
Here is the PDF schedule including return timings: [u]http://p.bdz.bg/r/a/razpisanie-balkan-sofiia-istanbul-sofiia-4905.pdf[/u]
The replacement bus service has the same timings as the train. I'd recommend to double check locally anyway.
Yeah, the bus waits for all passengers - usually it is just a handful anyway, especially during low season.
Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Ok thanks again! I've almost got it complete now 8)
- 1 final question:
Where can I find bus/metro schedules between ISTANBUL SİRKECİ GARI and ISTANBUL PENDIK.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Have a look at [u]http://www.iett.gov.tr/en[/u] - plan with enough time if you dont want to stay in Istanbul!
Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Thanks for your all your help! This is the route that I've come up with (who knows who might find this helpful)
V BUCARESTI NORD GARA A (ROMANIA) 12:50 PM +1 12hr58 INT 461 RESERVATION REQUIRED
A KAPIKULE (TURKEY) 01:48 AM +1 01hr08
V KAPIKULE (TURKEY) 02:56 AM +1 04hr54 BUS NO RESERVATION
A ISTANBUL SIRKECI GARI (TURKEY) 07:50 AM +1 01hr25
V ISTANBUL PENDIK (TURKEY) 11:50 AM +1 04hr14 YHT RESERVATION REQUIRED
A ANKARA (TURKEY) 04:14 PM +1
-- COUCHSURFING / HOTEL / HOSTEL --
V ANKARA (TURKEY) 12:20 PM +1 04hr11 YHT RESERVATION REQUIRED
A ISTANBUL PENDIK (TURKEY) 16:31 PM +1 05hr29
V ISTANBUL SIRKECI GARI (TURKEY) 22:00 PM +1 04hr50 BUS NO RESERVATION
A KAPIKULE (TURKEY) 02:50 AM +1 01hr15
V KAPIKULE (TURKEY) 04:05 AM +1 06hr55 INT 493 RESERVATION REQUIRED
A SOFIA (BULGARIA) 11:00 AM +1 04hr15
ntrain
Traveller
123 comments
do all that MUCH, much easier and simply forget the trains. There are direct buses-by day and overnite, without all that hassle, from and to the central giant Autogar in IST-to ANK there are 4-6 per HOUR. Simply
buy ticket for next one out and company you like-are taken to.
Its also fairly dumb to plan to the minute now-it certainly will have changed by that day.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Dont you think it makes more sense travelling by train if you have an Interrail pass...?
Coryza, it would be great to hear from your experiences on this route! :)