Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
Balkan Explorer: Venice to Istanbul
Venice · Trieste · Postojna · Pula · Rijeka · Sarajevo · Mostar · Belgrade · Sofia · Plovdiv · Istanbul
Danube Express · 7 days, 6 nights
Castles of Transylvania: Istanbul to Budapest
A week from Istanbul to Budapest through Bulgaria and Romania, with Peleș and Bran castles and the medieval towns of Transylvania.
- IstanbulDay 1
- Veliko TarnovoDay 3
- SinaiaDay 4
- BrașovDay 4
- Bran CastleDay 4
- SighișoaraDay 5
- SibiuDay 5
- KecskemétDay 6
- LajosmizseDay 6
- BudapestDay 6
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration7 days
Nights6
RouteIstanbul → Budapest
Places visited10
From, per personUS$12,322
Overview
Starting with a night in Istanbul, this journey crosses Bulgaria to Veliko Tarnovo, then climbs into the Carpathians for Peleș Castle and a private dinner at Bran Castle. Medieval Sighișoara and Saxon Sibiu follow, then a horse show on the Hungarian plain and a final night in Budapest.
- Walking tour of Istanbul with a choice of the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia
- Tsarevets Hill and Castle in Veliko Tarnovo
- Peleș Castle, the royal summer palace at Sinaia
- A gala dinner inside the walls of Bran Castle
- The UNESCO-listed citadel of Sighișoara
- A traditional Puszta horse show at Lajosmizse
- A night at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in IstanbulIstanbul
You are met and transferred to a five-star hotel. A welcome dinner in the evening is your chance to meet fellow travellers.
Day 2IstanbulOn board the Danube Express
A walking tour of the old central quarters is followed by a choice of the Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and thousands of Iznik tiles, or Hagia Sophia with its Byzantine mosaics. In the early afternoon you board the train and set off towards Bulgaria.
Day 3Veliko TarnovoOn board the Danube Express
The train climbs over the Shipka Pass to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's old capital, where stone houses cling to the banks of the Yantra River. A tour covers Tsarevets Hill and Castle with free time in the old lanes, and dinner is served as the train heads for Romania.
Day 4Sinaia & BrașovOn board the Danube Express
After crossing the Carpathians overnight, you tour Peleș Castle in Sinaia, the former royal summer residence with 160 lavishly decorated rooms. Lunch is back on board on the way to Brașov, then you visit Bran Castle, tied to the Dracula legend, and enjoy a gala dinner inside its walls.
Day 5Sighișoara & SibiuOn board the Danube Express
A walking tour of Sighișoara, one of Europe's best-preserved fortified medieval towns and said to be Vlad the Impaler's birthplace. After lunch on the train you explore Sibiu's Saxon old town and Council Tower, then enjoy a farewell dinner on board crossing the Great Hungarian Plain.
Day 6Kecskemét, Lajosmizse & BudapestBudapest
Explore Kecskemét in the centre of Hungary, then watch a Puszta horse show at Lajosmizse. You reach Budapest in the late afternoon for a night at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace (or similar), with a farewell dinner that evening.
Day 7Depart Budapest
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before your onward journey, or extend your stay in Budapest.
Where you spend each night
- Night 1Istanbul
- Night 2On board the Danube Express
- Night 3On board the Danube Express
- Night 4On board the Danube Express
- Night 5On board the Danube Express
- Night 6Budapest
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Superior Deluxe Class
12 cabins per departure · 8.6 m²
- King-size bed made up each evening
- Full-length sofa and two chairs for daytime
- Two large picture windows, one that opens
- En-suite shower room with WC (1.9 m²)
- Double wardrobe, safe, Wi-Fi and USB ports
Classic
Deluxe Class
5 cabins per carriage · 7.74 m²
- Two lower beds made up during dinner
- Two armchairs and a free-standing chair
- Large picture window that opens partially
- En-suite shower, washbasin and WC, heated towel rail
- Toiletries, dressing gown and hairdryer provided
Every cabin has its own private shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning and a dedicated cabin attendant.
- Five-star hotel nights in Istanbul and Budapest
- Private en-suite cabin on the Danube Express
- Cabin attendant service with evening turndown
- An experienced tour management team throughout
- A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities, on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- Freshly prepared meals on board plus dining in local restaurants
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as described in the itinerary
- Freedom of Choice touring options on selected days
- 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Deluxe Class
October 23, 2026
US$ 13,394.00
US$ 12,322.48 pp dbl
May 28, 2027
US$ 15,096.00
US$ 13,888.32 pp dbl
October 12, 2027
US$ 15,096.00
US$ 13,888.32 pp dbl
October 28, 2027
US$ 15,096.00
US$ 13,888.32 pp dbl
October 23, 2026
US$ 19,977.00
US$ 18,378.84 pp sgl
May 28, 2027
US$ 22,588.00
US$ 20,780.96 pp sgl
October 12, 2027
US$ 22,588.00
US$ 20,780.96 pp sgl
October 28, 2027
US$ 22,588.00
US$ 20,780.96 pp sgl
Superior Deluxe Class
October 23, 2026
US$ 17,253.00
US$ 15,872.76 pp dbl
May 28, 2027
US$ 19,523.00
US$ 17,961.16 pp dbl
October 12, 2027
US$ 19,523.00
US$ 17,961.16 pp dbl
October 28, 2027
US$ 19,523.00
US$ 17,961.16 pp dbl
October 23, 2026
US$ 28,717.00
US$ 26,419.64 pp sgl
May 28, 2027
US$ 32,463.00
US$ 29,865.96 pp sgl
October 12, 2027
US$ 32,463.00
US$ 29,865.96 pp sgl
October 28, 2027
US$ 32,463.00
US$ 29,865.96 pp sgl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
Which castles does this journey visit?
You visit Tsarevets Castle in Veliko Tarnovo, Peleș Castle in Sinaia and Bran Castle near Brașov. At Bran Castle the evening ends with a gala dinner inside the castle walls.
Is there a Dracula connection?
Yes. The journey visits Sighișoara, said to be the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, and Sibiu, where his son is buried, as well as Bran Castle, linked to the Dracula novel.
How many nights are on the train?
Four of the six nights are on board, from Istanbul to the Hungarian plain. The first night is in a five-star hotel in Istanbul and the last at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace (or similar) in Budapest.
How physically demanding is it?
The pace is relaxed and the tour is not strenuous, but the castle visits involve steps and uneven ground. You can take things at your own pace, and the train is a comfortable base between visits.
Can I add Cappadocia beforehand?
The operator offers a pre-tour train extension from Istanbul to Cappadocia via Izmir, Ephesus, Denizli and Ankara, with a flight back to Istanbul to join this journey. Ask our team about combining the two.
What does it cost and when does it run?
Fares depend on the cabin class you choose and whether you travel as a couple or alone. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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