bearfan732
Traveller
1 comments
Posted 14 years ago
We live in the US and therefore are not eligible for the Interrail pass but are eligible for the Eurail pass. Since there are two of us traveling together, we can get the SAver pass. I will be 74 by the time of travel and my partner will be 61 so I at least could qualify for the Senior discount as well but I don't know if I can get both discounts.
We plan to visit these countries: Italy - Austria - Hungary - (three) and Bulgaria/Serbia is considered as one country so the total is 4 but does not include Turkey.
So how would I buy a ticket for the Turkey part of the overnight train from Sofia to Istanbul? and would I have to pay a supplement again for the sleeper part of that piece?
And since the overnight trains cover two days, we will have 2 actual days on which train travel will occur for overnight trains. We can do it in 9 travel days. The 9th travel day would be that portion of the Sofia - Istanbul night train that is still in Bulgaria, and later that morning of the 9th day we would arrive in Istanbul. Our entire trip will be 17 days so we will be under the 2 month limit allowed.
So we should be able to get a 10 day pass for $684 USD each, for 1st class travel (which is what we need for our aging hulks!)
Reservations and sleepers would of course be extra. But where and when should we do this?
Are my computations correct? Are there any other less expensive options we might consider? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, bearfan732
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
Im no expert on eurail but you seem to have things pretty sussed out. The only place to buy a suppliment for the sofia-istanbul train (as far as I am aware) is in Sofia. There is an international train office there with english speaking staff who will be able to help you
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
You could also try to get that ticket at the Wasteels office at Budapest Keleti... :|
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Like Simon said, there is an international ticket office at the main station. In Bulgaria you can buy international train tickets only ath their special agency (belongs to the national railway company BDZ) calles RILA (blue/white logo).
The office at the main station is in the left corner (close to the night train counter) using the main entry.
Phone at the main station office: +359 2 932 33 46 (helpful - but politeness depends on their mood ;) )
Working hours: from Monday to Sunday between: 0630 – 1430 and 1500 – 2230.
Website: [u]http://bdz-rila.com/index.php?lang=2[/u]
For the full fares from SOFIA-ISTANBUL have a look at this website: [u]https://rail.cc/en/belgrade-sofia-istanbul-train/f3054[/u]
If you want to use your Eurail pass until the border to Turkey, you will need a national ticket Border station Turkey - Istanbul. This ticket is available in Sofia like mentioned above (like Simon said as well) and should be as available well in Budapest (like Flow said). The supplement for the night train (see link above) has to be paid only once.
And if you like this forum and help, buy your ticket via [ux]https://rail.shop/eurail[/ux] . For you the price is the same, but we get a little commission. Thank you. :)
Peter :)