Trip report: Paris to Istanbul by Train in three weeks

Exploring Europe and Beyond: A Three-Week Train Journey from Paris to Istanbul

Embarking on a long-distance train adventure offers a unique perspective on the diverse landscapes, cultures, and cities of Europe and neighboring regions. Recently, I had the opportunity to traverse from Paris to Istanbul entirely by train over a three-week period. In this article, I’ll share detailed insights into each destination, practical tips for planning, travel expenses, and reflections on the overall experience.

Background and Travel Context

My travel companion was my girlfriend, with whom I have previous experience exploring Europe—from a two-week trip through Sweden to a comprehensive month-long interrail journey. Our comfort with train travel, including night trains, provided a strong foundation for this trip. Having recently completed our master’s degrees, we seized this opportunity for exploration before embarking on our careers. While not crowd-funded, we maintained a moderate budget, balancing comfort with cost-efficiency.

The Route

Our itinerary was designed for convenience and included the following segments:

• Paris to Munich (day train)
• Munich to Vienna (day train)
• Vienna to Budapest (day train)
• Budapest to Bucharest (night train)
• Bucharest to Sofia (day train)
• Sofia to Istanbul (night train)

Due to the suspension of the ÖBB night train service from Paris to Vienna, we opted for a route via Munich. Alternative options could include Stuttgart to Budapest or Bucharest to Sofia—useful tips for future travelers. Both Vienna and Sofia stand out as picturesque cities well worth exploring.

Planning Strategy

Preparation was centered around “The Man in Seat 61” website (https://www.seat61.com/), renowned for its accurate, up-to-date train travel information across Europe and beyond. Supplementing this resource with insights from relevant Reddit communities helped craft a solid and feasible itinerary.

Cost Breakdown and Budget Considerations

Our total expenditure for the trip was approximately €4,000 for two travelers, which is notably affordable for such extensive coverage. The main expenses included:

• Transportation (trains and return flight to Paris): €785
• Paris-Munich: €116
• Munich-Vienna: €62
• Vienna-Budapest: €48
• Budapest-Bucharest: €175 (including a sleeper cabin)
• Bucharest-Sofia: €64
• Sofia-Istanbul: €83 (with sleeper cabin)
• Return flight from Istanbul to Paris: €191