London to Istanbul by Rail

Whether you’re looking for Europe’s most famous highlights or its undiscovered treasures, the answer lies aboard the trains running between London and Istanbul. This 25-day Rail journey allows you to check out the dramatic landscapes across Europe, as well as experiencing both medieval charm and modern cool in tiny villages and capital cities. Take in the Alpine scenery from the windows of the Glacier Express, step off to visit 'Dracula’s Castle' in Transylvania and revel in as much ancient eastern European charm as you can get. Once you’ve seen the countryside gliding by from a comfortable train, you’ll never forget it.

Day 1 London
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 London/Paris
Board the famous Eurostar train for the journey through the Chunnel to Paris. Enjoy an orientation walk and free time to visit the city.

Day 3 Paris
Spend the day with free time to visit dozens of museums, patisserie shops, sidewalk cafés or grand boulevards.

Day 4 Paris/Lausanne
Take a morning TGV train to Lausanne, Switzerland. Spend the afternoon in this charming town.

Day 5 Lausanne/Zermatt
Board another train for the journey to Zermatt, a tiny village in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the afternoon in the car-free centre or hiking in the nearby mountains.

Day 6 Zermatt/Chur
Board the Glacier Express for a slow and stunning ride through the Alps. Pass meadows, rushing streams, bridges, villages and massive mountains as the train heads towards Chur. Arrive in the evening after a full day of soaking in the scenery.

Day 7 Chur/Munich
Take a full day to reach Munich, in the heart of Bavaria. Arrive in time for an optional evening out at a local brewery with a few steins of beer and some typical German fare.

Day 8 Munich
Explore the city or head further afield to visit Füssen and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

Day 9 Munich/Salzburg
Visit Dachau before a short train ride to Salzburg, Austria. This charming city is brimming with history and character.

Day 10 Salzburg
Make the most of a free day in Salzburg. Opt to visit the salt mines or take the famous Sound of Music tour.

Day 11 Salzburg/Vienna
Continue by train to Vienna. Opt to visit the famous opera house, join a city tour or visit world-class museums. Stay overnight at a G Adventures for Good supported hotel that supports migrant workers.

Day 12 Vienna/Budapest
Take a morning train to Budapest, Hungary. Take an orientation walk upon arrival, then opt to enjoy a night out in this charming city.

Day 13 Budapest
Enjoy a full day for exploration in Budapest. Opt to visit Buda Castle, the famous thermal baths or take a bike tour of the city.

Day 14 Budapest/Sibiu
Take another free day to explore Budapest before boarding an overnight train to Sibiu.

Day 15 Sibiu/Sighișoara
Arrive in the enchanting town of Sighisoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

Day 16 Sighișoara/Braşov
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Transfer to charming Braşov.

Day 17 Braşov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.

Day 18 Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.

Day 19 Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Day 20 Veliko Tarnovo
Hike to the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo. Opt to go mountain biking or view the murals at the Church of the Nativity.

Day 21 Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.

Day 22 Sofia/Plovdiv
Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here.

Day 23 Plovdiv/Istanbul
Spend the day exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an evening bus to Istanbul.

Day 24 Istanbul
Enjoy a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Aya Sofya, and the Topkapı Palace.

Day 25 Istanbul
Depart at any time.