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Eastern Europe for an OAP,

  • March 22, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 27 views
D

I have never had a Eurail pass so this will be a first for me.
I’m now in my 70s , reasonably fit and up for an adventure.
I have traveled quite widely in the world but somehow eastern Europe has eluded me and I think it’s time I had a look.
Browsing an old map of Europe this morning I notice how many borders have shifted over the years and it looks as though I can’t visit Odessa now, and I can’t go back to Tehran !

I’ve given myself 2 weeks, travelling alone
But there is a bucket list of names I would love to see and not having had a “PASS” before I’d like the communities views on how best to go about it.
So here goes, in no particular order my bucket list of place I’d like to see before I die, you may feel some are not good choices and that there are those that I’ve missed.
I know of course my list is far too ambitious within my time frame so hep me to edit it, and of course the best route to help me realise it.
The Bucket List (in no order):

Talinn, Riga, Vilnius, Krakow, Budapest, Ljubljana, Bucharest, Sofia, Sarajevo, Vienna, Zagreb.

BTW ; my name is David and I live in London

6 replies

W
  • WarrenCommunity Manager
  • Community Moderator
  • March 28, 2026

Hi David! That sounds like a fantastic adventure. With two weeks, it could be worth focusing on a smaller region or a few key destinations to make the most of your time. As you’re based in the UK, you will need an Interrail Pass for your trip. Hope you have a wonderful journey! 

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M
Railly clever
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  • Marvin Heer
  • Railly clever
  • March 28, 2026

Some routes that coud work out:

Vienna→ Bukarest (night train)

Bukarest → Budapest ( i would also recommend overnight)

Budapest → Zagreb (But these are all pretty long train journeys) 

Zagreb → Ljubjana

Ljubjana → Vienna

 

You could also do something like Zagreb → Ljubjana → Vienna → Budapest → Bukarest → Sofia.

Much more then that will not fit reasonable into 2 weeks. (i consider my own trips barely reasonable) Even for this more time would be recommended.

I mostly focused on these cities as i visited them myself on my interrail trips (except sofia)

I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
D
  • Digby
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • March 28, 2026

All good advice and I’ll have another look at my route.
I really fancy visiting Romania so Bucharest (or Sofia) will be on my list.
I notice that night trains are mentioned a lot and that seems a very sensible idea, but is an overnight train considered as ONE day or TWO ?

M
Railly clever
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  • Marvin Heer
  • Railly clever
  • March 28, 2026

All good advice and I’ll have another look at my route.
I really fancy visiting Romania so Bucharest (or Sofia) will be on my list.
I notice that night trains are mentioned a lot and that seems a very sensible idea, but is an overnight train considered as ONE day or TWO ?

Only the start day of the train counts as the travel day. So only one travel day is needed

I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
ralderton
Railmaster
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  • ralderton
  • Railmaster
  • March 28, 2026

This very much looks like two (or more) trips: one to the Baltic, and one or more to the Balkans via Central Europe.

I would suggest a minimum of two or three nights in one location. Any less, and you will be spending so much time travelling and checking in and out of hotels, that you won’t see any of the city.

You can reach Stuttgart or Zurich from London easily in by afternoon, then jump on the sleeper to Vienna & Budapest. That gets you to Budapest in a single travel day.

Since Bucharest and Sofia are high on your list, then a loop through Serbia makes sense, though you’ll need a bus from Serbia to Sofia. I can’t see how you could visit Budapest & Vienna and Sofia & Bucharest and Ljubljana & Zagreb in two weeks in any sensible fashion.

Something like London > Stuttgart > Budapest > Bucharest > Sofia > Belgrade > Vienna > London could work.

D
  • Digby
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • March 28, 2026

No I won’t be visiting them all - it’s just a bucket list at this stage.
I will pick what’s feasible (and may even extend my trip).
I think I may have added Plodiv to my list   … 🤣

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