The Bosphorus Express night train offers a budget-friendly alternative to the iconic Orient Express, with tickets starting at just €38 (approximately £33) for a journey from Bucharest to Istanbul. While the Orient Express can cost upwards of £3,100 per person for a one-night sleeper journey and up to £20,000 for the full five-night Paris-to-Istanbul route, the Bosphorus Express provides an affordable way to traverse the same historic rails and visit the same cities.
Route and Journey Details
Operated by Romanian railway operator CFR Calatori, the Bosphorus Express departs from Bucharest North station, the largest in Romania. The train crosses the Danube via the Danube Bridge, offering views of mudflats, marshes, and historic villages. It then passes through the Bulgarian countryside, featuring green mountains and historic stations, before reaching Kapıkule on the Turkish-Bulgarian border. The total journey takes between 19 and 21 hours.
After a late-night passport check at the border, passengers sleep through the final leg of the journey. By mid-morning, the train arrives at Istanbul's Halkali station, from which most passengers take a local train to Sirkeci, a grand station historically associated with the Orient Express, located on Istanbul's historic peninsula.
Accommodation and Amenities
The Bosphorus Express offers several sleeper car options, including private one- or two-berth compartments, and the cheapest option: a couchette shared among four passengers. The sleeper cars are very basic, with seats that convert into beds, and passengers are given simple sheet sets to make their own bunks. There is no buffet car, so passengers must bring their own snacks and drinks. The train does not offer butler service or turn-down service, focusing on function over luxury.
Booking and Schedule
Tickets can be purchased directly from the CFR website or at the station before departure. The service operates during the summer months, generally from June to October. According to the article, "the Bosphorus Express night train certainly doesn’t have the glamour or the wow factor of the Orient Express," but it provides an excellent budget option for railway enthusiasts.
Exploring Istanbul
Upon arrival at Sirkeci station, passengers step outside to see the Golden Horn, a curved waterway that once protected Byzantine and Ottoman trade ships. Nearby attractions include the treasure-packed Topkapi Palace, featuring Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, embroidered robes, and painted porcelain. The old town of Sultanahmet is also within reach, with popular sites such as the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Underground trains run below the Bosphorus, allowing access to the Asian side of Istanbul.
