After yesterday’s Bulgarian marathon, today is a much gentler last stage.
The overnight sleep was the most comfortable yet with a spacious 4 bed compartment with dropdown beds.
We had a very early start with a knock on the door at 4am to climb off the train with all our luggage for passport check and bag scan. There was even a small duty free shop.
From the train, there is a great view of the Bosphorus and the city and last minute chance to finish my book.
Our overnight train took us into Istanbul and 2 stops on the Metro brought us to Sirkeci Station, traditional terminus for the Orient Express and less than 100 yards from the Bosphorus (note cat sleeping on car roof behind me).
It’s an emotional moment and a huge sense of accomplishment! Our hotel is just 50 yards up a side street and there is a selection of cats to welcome us to their city and our home for the next 5 nights.
Reflections on ‘Riding the Orient Express’
It has definitely been a very different type of trip to flying to Turkey. The whole journey has been surprisingly straight-forward but did involve more organisation and planning.
I am not sure you would choose between flying OR taking the train. The experiences are so different that your motivations would be very different. I can tell you that if you choose to take the train:-
- You will need a more relaxed frame of mind
- It will cost more in cash and time and less in CO2 emissions.
- You will have an adventure, not a trip
- There will be the opportunity to see so much more of Europe
So I think it really comes down to whether this is a trip or a journey for you…
Some tips if you decide to try the train
There is lots of useful information online to help you and here is my contribution for you
- Do you homework. There are lots of useful online resources, including the Man in Seat 61. If you do not feel up to it, there are agents who will plan it all for you.
- You have total freedom so tailor the trip. If you want extra days in a city, it’s not a problem.
- Always use common sense.
- We found the trip generally safe but keep your valuables hidden on you
- And lastly, always pack at least one ‘Gen Z’ for the trip. Drop them in any random city and within a couple of minutes they will have decoded the local transport system and bought some tickets online
Thanks for joining us on our trip and whether you ever do it literally, or just joined us in spirit, always enjoy the ride….
This is part of a series of articles covering our journey from London to Istanbul by train. The whole set is:-
- Part 1 – The plan
- Part 2 – Travelling to Prague
- Part 3 – Onwards to Budapest
- Part 4 – Bucharest, an unlikely holiday destination
- Part 5 – Crossing Bulgaria
- Part 6 – Completing the Orient Express
This is part of a series of articles covering our journey from London to Istanbul by train. The whole set is:-
- Part 1 – The plan
- Part 2 – Travelling to Prague
- Part 3 – Onwards to Budapest
- Part 4 – Bucharest, an unlikely holiday destination
- Part 5 – Crossing Bulgaria
- Part 6 – Completing the Orient Express
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