Route: London to Istanbul via Paris, Munich and Bucharest (train or train and bus)

Journey time: Just over 2 days

Return journey: Istanbul to London via Bucharest, Munich and Paris (train or bus and train)

Sample itinerary: Take the 1025 Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris, which gives you plenty of time to transfer to Gare de l'Est for the 1524 to Munich, getting you to the Bavarian capital at 2138. You've got time to grab a late dinner or a quick drink before catching the 2340 sleeper service on to Bucharest, where it arrives almost a full 24 hours later, at 0035 (Romania is an hour ahead of Germany). Bed down for the remainder of the night, and get a late breakfast before catching your final train, at 1224, to Istanbul, where it will arrive the following morning at 0750.

 

Price: About £450 return. The train to Munich costs from £161 return and to Budapest costs from £367 return. An interrail pass could also be purchased for the route, which may save money. For further details click on the link to Raileurope below.

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