gersurf
Traveller
4 comments
Posted 12 years ago
Hello people,
I'm really glad I found railcc - and hope I will get the last answers I need before starting my next tour in a weeks time.
First of all: Our way to Sofia is pretty much set in stone. On the 16th of August we would like to train from Sofia to Istanbul and hope to arrive there that same day. On the 19th we would then train to Athens to do an island trip and visit that historically important city.
I've heard about a Bus between the Bulgarian and Turkish border - what does that mean for me though? Is there no more or less direct train between Sofia and Istanbul (apart from the bit you have to catch a bus in)?
Also, on the 19th we are planning on leaving Istanbul for Athens. Is it realistic to get there in the evening/night? I read on railcc about the international train connection to/from greece being shut down. I was wondering how I would get to Athens in the fastest possible way - take a bus/ferry somehow, or take the train to the Bulgarian/Greece border and then bus/taxi over to Greece?
Your help is highly appreciated!
Bratzklump
Traveller
1 comments
Hello everybody, I have no answer to the question, but a question to the same route. We want to go from Istanbul to Sofia, preferabily by night train and in a sleeping car. But we heard thats impossible at the moment - is that right?
Is it recommendable to take the bus replacement service to the bulgarian border and from there by train ( we heard thers no sleeping car?) or is it better to go by bus from istanbul to sofia?
Thank you very much!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
@gersurf:
Sofia - Istanbul: The bus is of course included since it is a rail replacement service. From Sofia you take the regular train in direction of Istanbul until you reach Kapikule. There, you change to the bus for the remainder of the trip (after custom and border checks).
Istanbul - Athens: I would recommend to take a direct bus (not included in InterRail!) until Thessaloniki or even all the way through to Athens. From Thessaloniki you can use direct trains to Athens which are included in IR but might be subject to a supplement - please check locally.
@Bratzklump:
Please open a new separate thread in the future as it makes answering easier. :)
As I've written above the through night train currently only runs to/from Kapikule, the Turkish border station. The part to/from Istanbul is covered by rail replacement bus. The bus should depart at the same timings as the train from Sirkeci station.
I have no recent information regarding the coaches of the train to Sofia but the sleeper is supposed to be suspended at the moment.
If you want to save money use the bus+train connection as it is fully covered by your IR pass. However, taking a through bus might be more comfortable although you will have to pay extra for it and would miss the InterRail atmosphere. :)
Flo 8)
gersurf
Traveller
4 comments
Thanks for your reply.
So, from Kapikule it is only bus till Istanbul? My understanding was that just the boarder-bit is replaced by busses and that after a short bus trip you go back on a train to Istanbul.
And: Do bus or train stop in Edirne on the way back?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej,
it is bus all the way through. The bus _should_ call in Edirne as well (the train would) but I cant find the timings at TCDD website at the moment. Better to ask directly while you are there. :)
Flo 8)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
I just saw the first photo of the (Istanbul -) Kapikule - Sofia train in a while, it consists of two couchettes by TCDD plus one seated coach of BDZ.