Hi👋,
I'd love to travel to Istanbul by train. I read earlier in an answer that generally many routes are currently out of service.
Is there a way to get to Istanbul by train or is it just not possible?
I'm looking forward to get any helpful information :)
By train-all the way-NOT. Use bus for short section. Read seat61.conm for best uptodate info-it overveiws all overland routes from Uk to all EUR capitals/countries. DO read the full item, as the current situation comes at the end.
BUSes run-even still quite frequently, from Sofija/Plovdiv or Bucuresti, or if you´re one of those train-fanatics: from last stop in BG (I think Dimitrovgrad-taxi and/or marshrut/dolmus to first TR stop (Edirne-only 1 train/mornings for now to IST). You do not have to sweat-nor fear about booking monthes advance-thats not even possible. Just buy when there from Avtogara.
Reason: the Turks are busy completely renovating their part of the line to modern standard and have run out of money for that.
Just scroll down-there are numerous all the same Q+A on this forum about same-same topic
Istanbul - Sofia starts again on 25.4. Sofia - Istanbul on 26.4. From 3.6. from/to Bucarest (only in summer):
https://www.economic.bg/bg/a/view/noshten-vlak-otnovo-shte-pytuva-po-marshrut-sofija-istanbul
Good news. The Istanbul-Sofia route has officially resumed running on April 25th (yesterday)!
You can find the timetable here > https://www.bdz.bg/en/c/international-rail
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