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From Rome to Istanbul

  • July 23, 2026
  • 13 replies
  • 32 views

paul3000
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Hello all,

I would like to travel from Rome to Istanbul, in 1 month.

Which road do you suggest ?

I was thinking going through Adriatic Sea, Montenegro or Albania, then Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, but it seems quite complicated, to cross the sea and easier to do all around by train.

Anyone can share feedbacks ?

If crossing by ferry, which city should I aim for (Bari..?) and which company ?

I am leaving Rome next monday, 28 July

Many thanks by advance !

13 replies

Marvin Heer
Engin-ius
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  • Engin-ius
  • July 23, 2026

It Depends on what places you want to visit. I personally would do it by train all the way. (Austria→ Hungary→ Romania→ Bulgaria→ Turkey) Is the easiest route.

Some cities you should definitly check out along the way are: Vienna, Budapest, Brasov.

If you plan to take sleeper trains to romania i would recommend booking them as soon as possible.

Last time i looked there were very few options to get from italy to montenegro by ferry. (i looked into that so i would not have to travel the same route back as i planned to get there)


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 23, 2026

This is really helpful many thanks for your tips!

Plus I’ve never been to Austria and wanted to check Vienna since a while…

Deserves a deeper thinking in my side.

Cheers Marvin

 


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 24, 2026

It Depends on what places you want to visit. I personally would do it by train all the way. (Austria→ Hungary→ Romania→ Bulgaria→ Turkey) Is the easiest route.

Some cities you should definitly check out along the way are: Vienna, Budapest, Brasov.

If you plan to take sleeper trains to romania i would recommend booking them as soon as possible.

Last time i looked there were very few options to get from italy to montenegro by ferry. (i looked into that so i would not have to travel the same route back as i planned to get there)

I am looking for night train from budapest to brasovo but on interrail website I cant find the couchette option. This means I have to book via Intercity MAV website ?


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  • Railmaster
  • July 24, 2026

The best website to book Budapest-Brașov is the MÁV website, certainly not Interrail.

If that still doesn't work for you, then please mention date and departure time (there are 3 daily night trains).


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 24, 2026

The best website to book Budapest-Brașov is the MÁV website, certainly not Interrail.

If that still doesn't work for you, then please mention date and departure time (there are 3 daily night trains).

Thanku rvdborgt,

I am looking around 6 august, departure time doesn’t matter for me.

I also find trains via OBB, they are the same if I understand correctly.

I think I found it, Dep.: 6 & 7 Aug 2026 19:10 ; 473 ISTER InterCity

 


paul3000
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  • Right on track
  • July 25, 2026

Hey, 

unfortunately i lost the links I found and on mav website on mobile i can’t find the istanbul destination 

i found on obb but it seems ticket aren’t available

i am looking for departure around 12 of august

could you help me on that? 
many thanks by advance!


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  • Railmaster
  • July 25, 2026

Which exact train are you trying to book? Please mention route, date and departure time.


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 25, 2026

It Depends on what places you want to visit. I personally would do it by train all the way. (Austria→ Hungary→ Romania→ Bulgaria→ Turkey) Is the easiest route.

Some cities you should definitly check out along the way are: Vienna, Budapest, Brasov.

If you plan to take sleeper trains to romania i would recommend booking them as soon as possible.

Last time i looked there were very few options to get from italy to montenegro by ferry. (i looked into that so i would not have to travel the same route back as i planned to get there)

I am just curious why don’t you recommend sofia? In your opinion, is as beautiful as buda, buca and brasov?


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 25, 2026

Which exact train are you trying to book? Please mention route, date and departure time.

So I am looking for different options

budapest to istanbul -, 8 august

bucarest to istanbul - 12 august

sofia to istanbul - 14 august

preference to departure midday/afternoon !

thanks again your help is incredible

 


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  • Railmaster
  • July 25, 2026

There is no direct train from Budapest to Istanbul. You can travel to Bucharest (several trains available) and then change.

Bucharest to Istanbul can only be booked at a ticket office in Romania. There's only the night train (in fact, just 1 couchette carriage).

Sofia to Istanbul can only be booked at a ticket office in Bulgaria. There's only the night train.

DB used to be able to book those last 2 night trains at a ticket office, but I'm not sure if that's still possible and you'll need a very experienced staff member.


paul3000
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  • Author
  • Right on track
  • July 25, 2026

There is no direct train from Budapest to Istanbul. You can travel to Bucharest (several trains available) and then change.

Bucharest to Istanbul can only be booked at a ticket office in Romania. There's only the night train (in fact, just 1 couchette carriage).

Sofia to Istanbul can only be booked at a ticket office in Bulgaria. There's only the night train.

DB used to be able to book those last 2 night trains at a ticket office, but I'm not sure if that's still possible and you'll need a very experienced staff member.

Ok this is clear ! Thank u again. 
so for going to turkey,  booking tickets is only at the station, just like old times then!

what is DB?


Marvin Heer
Engin-ius
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  • Engin-ius
  • July 25, 2026

It Depends on what places you want to visit. I personally would do it by train all the way. (Austria→ Hungary→ Romania→ Bulgaria→ Turkey) Is the easiest route.

Some cities you should definitly check out along the way are: Vienna, Budapest, Brasov.

If you plan to take sleeper trains to romania i would recommend booking them as soon as possible.

Last time i looked there were very few options to get from italy to montenegro by ferry. (i looked into that so i would not have to travel the same route back as i planned to get there)

I am just curious why don’t you recommend sofia? In your opinion, is as beautiful as buda, buca and brasov?

I have not been to Sofia yet. So i have no personal experience to base my recommendation on. 

 


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  • Railmaster
  • July 25, 2026

DB = Deutsche Bahn, German railways