Can I Travel Abroad by Train from Istanbul?

Yes, it is possible to travel abroad by train from Istanbul!

Train services are organized from Turkey to various international destinations. There are railway connections, especially with neighboring countries. So how can you travel abroad by train, which countries have services, and what are the travel costs?

Let's meet in the continuation of the article for all your questions and detailed answers!

Contents

• Can I Travel Abroad by Train from Istanbul?
• International Trains Passing Through Istanbul
• Route of the Train Going Abroad from Istanbul
• How Much Does It Cost to Travel Abroad by Train from Istanbul?
• Which Wagon Should I Buy a Ticket From?
• Things You Should Know Before Traveling by Train

International Trains Passing Through Istanbul

For those who want to enjoy a pleasant train journey between Europe and Turkey, the Istanbul - Sofia Express, which operates from Istanbul to Sofia, offers a great option. On this route, there is a train service that starts from Halkalı and reaches Sofia with daily reciprocal services. Additionally, there is a connection to Bucharest with extra wagons added to the Istanbul - Sofia Express.

So what does this mean?

This means that there is a delightful way to reach Bulgaria from Turkey via the Istanbul-Sofia Express! Because this express train line starts from Halkalı and extends to Sofia by following the route of Çerkezköy, Alpullu, Edirne, Kapıkule, Svilengrad, Dimitrovgrad, Plovdiv, and Pazarcık. These daily services between the two countries make it quite easy to reach Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, from Turkey.

The train departs from Istanbul at 20:45 in the evening, continuing its journey overnight and arriving in Sofia at 09:35 in the morning. The train departing from Sofia at 18:30 in the evening reaches Istanbul overnight and arrives at Halkalı at 05:34 in the morning. These regular services add flexibility to your travel plans while allowing you to use time most efficiently with overnight travel.

Ticket prices are also at a level that will encourage you to prefer this comfortable and practical journey. Moreover, if you have a Schengen visa, you can easily travel to other European countries by train or plane via Sofia. This flexibility offers a great opportunity for those who want to explore different European destinations.

Route of the Train Going Abroad from Istanbul

Here are the passenger train connections moving from Turkey towards Europe:

Here are the passenger train connections moving towards our country from Europe:

How Much Does It Cost to Travel Abroad by Train from Istanbul?

First of all; when purchasing tickets from Istanbul, you may need to pay in TL or Euro, while tickets from Sofia may require payment in Leva. Therefore, it is beneficial for ticket purchasers to be prepared. On the other hand, you can review the announced amounts for tickets purchased from Istanbul in the list below:

• If you want to travel alone in a sleeper car, the one-way fare for first class per person is: 66.68 Euro
• If you want to travel with two people in a sleeper car, the one-way fare for second class per person is: 12 Euro
• If you want to travel in a 4-person couchette, the one-way fare for first class per person is: 31.12 Euro

In addition to the prices; it is known that tickets cannot be purchased online. Instead, they must be obtained from the international ticket office at the station, but not every station has an international ticket office. Therefore, people wishing to purchase tickets are generally directed to Sirkeci, Halkalı, or Söğütlüçeşme.

Finally; when purchasing a ticket, you must specify your gender because tickets are allocated to wagons based on gender, and incorrect ticket purchases may require cancellation, additional fees, etc.

Which Wagon Should I Buy a Ticket From?

It is not possible to answer this question on your behalf, but if you are informed about the details (which we have listed below for you), you can easily make your own decision. Here are the details:

First of all, there are no separate private toilets inside the wagons, so everyone uses the common toilet in the wagon. The wagons are divided into couchette and sleeper cars.

• Couchette: These are in 4-person cabins and can be converted into bunk beds by opening the seats.
• Sleeper: These are private 2-person cabins and contain 2 seats with bunks, a minibar, a coat rack, a mirror, a socket, and a small table. It is also possible to reserve this cabin for one person with a small difference.

Things You Should Know Before Traveling by Train

As you can guess from the information above; traveling abroad by train offers a unique experience with many advantages for those who wish to travel. However, there are some important points to consider when traveling by train.

Here are the details you should know when traveling abroad by train:

1. Passport and Visa Procedures: First of all, if you want to travel abroad, you must complete your passport and visa procedures. If you do not have a passport, you should apply for one immediately, and if you have a visa, you should check its validity period and renew it if necessary. It is important to have these documents ready since visa and passport checks will be conducted at the border gates when traveling by train.
2. Flexibility and Timelessness: When traveling by train, you may be more flexible compared to flying. You can create a more flexible schedule when purchasing a train ticket, and if you miss a train, you can easily take the next one without worrying. This situation provides you with the advantage of timelessness and flexibility in your travel.
3. Luggage Capacity: When traveling by train, you generally have a better chance of carrying more luggage. While airlines offer free transportation services up to a certain weight, there is usually no limitation on trains. Therefore, if you have excess luggage, traveling by train can help you avoid extra luggage fees.
4. Getting Off at Certain Stops: When traveling by train, you have the freedom to get on and off at certain stops. Since there is no obligation to deal with the process of rebooking and additional fees if you miss your flight, you can plan your trip more flexibly.

In conclusion; traveling abroad by train, especially in Europe, offers a comfortable, flexible, and enjoyable option for those who want to explore different cities. While enjoying your journey, considering the factors mentioned above can make your plans smoother.