Post: #1

I will be traveling from Istanbul to Sarajevo in early May. I've been looking at wiki travel and it appears that it is at least theoretically possible to take the train from Istanbul and Sarajevo via Sofia and Belgrade.

Is this a good idea? Money is not an object in this case. I'm mostly wondering if it is worth it to see the scenery. If the scenery is bad (sometimes trains skip the pretty parts) and the trains frustratingly slow and unreliable, I'd be more inclined to just fly.

Has anyone here used the trains in that region? Any suggestions are welcome.

Post: #2

The train journeys in the balkans are pretty scenic for the most part and you meet interesting characters. I travelled by train and once or twice bus when it was quicker all over the Balkans.

Post: #3

I have taken many trains in the Balkans, the only advantage is they are very cheap, but unfortunately they are very very slow and the wagons are quite run down.

They are generally couchette style, with seats that fold down into a bed, but sometimes that may not be possible if it's busy and all six seats are occupied. Unless of course you have your own cabin then it wont be a problem.

Also there are a lot of people smoking on the trains, usually no restaurant car, and the toilets are a bit grim(take your own paper)

The Belgrade to Sofia train is quite scenic but is usually delayed, this is due to cigarette smugglers(cheaper cigs in Serbia). Yo u will see non-stop activity on the train, with people running up and down, unscrewing the light fittings and putting cigarettes in there. You should just ignore it, they are people trying to make a living.

As Alpha said best if you meet some good people on the train, which is almost guaranteed in the Balkans, they will offer to share their food and alcohol with you.

The Sarajevo to Belgrade part of the journey will be the most scenic as there are many mountains. Belgrade to Sofia line is a bit flatter.

Many people use the Eurorail pass(or whatever it's called) in the Balkans, it's very cheap. If you are under 27 you can get discounted fares on single journeys also.

Any more info, PM me

Post: #4

I made my way through these parts last summer. I found that train transport is excessively slow. We're talking 12-16 hour train rides to go from Belgrade to Bucharest. Additionally, these are bus rides you can take between these places, but don't be fooled by those either. They are relatively cheap, but unless the idea of spending 9 hours on an unairconditioned bus to go less than 200 miles sounds appealing, I'd pass on that as well. I had the unfortunate experience of doing this when traveling from Split, Croatia to Sarajevo.

My travel mate and I swore off such an experience ever again, so we decided to hire a private car. We paid the guy about $100 and he drove us in his Audi from Sarajevo to Belgrade. Remember, this part of the world is still pretty poor. You'd be surprised for what you get if you dole out a few extra bucks.

My best advice: unless you're on a serious budget, find someone to drive you or fly. Buses and trains are NOT the answer in EE.

Post: #5

I remember taking a bus from Belgrade to Sarajevo a few years ago. One of the worst journeys of my life, it was in the 40's and the bus had no aircon, people were guzzling water like mad. Then someone changed the skylight angle and it became 100 times better

Post: #6

(03-31-2012 09:17 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  I will be traveling from Istanbul to Sarajevo in early May. I've been looking at wiki travel and it appears that it is at least theoretically possible to take the train from Istanbul and Sarajevo via Sofia and Belgrade.
Is this a good idea?

If you never took a train in Eastern Europe and you are used to TGV, you'll be quite disappointed. That ain't TGV. They also don't typically run trains over the most scenic routes, just over the most practical ones. Dunno about Istanbul but in Eastern Europe the 90% of the "scenery" you gonna see will consist of two things: a field and a bunch of trees.

Post: #7

Quote:The Belgrade to Sofia train is quite scenic but is usually delayed, this is due to cigarette smugglers(cheaper cigs in Serbia). Yo u will see non-stop activity on the train, with people running up and down, unscrewing the light fittings and putting cigarettes in there. You should just ignore it, they are people trying to make a living

I was actually going to mention this in my original post, it's a funny sight.

Post: #8

(04-01-2012 11:15 PM)AlphaTravel Wrote:  I was actually going to mention this in my original post, it's a funny sight.

This happens on a train between Ukraine and Poland/Romania as well.

Post: #9

I helped a couple of older woman package the cigs up so she could chuck them out the window to someone who was waiting to pick them up.

Post: #10

(04-02-2012 02:31 AM)AlphaTravel Wrote:  I helped a couple of older woman package the cigs up so she could chuck them out the window to someone who was waiting to pick them up.

Hehe, I saw this done, Train between Budapest and Belgrade. There were all these guys running up and down the train, they stacked boxes up at end of each carriage, then when we crossed the Serbia border but had not reached at customs threw them all out of the windows.

Post: #11

Exactly the same, was amusing. I met some right funny characters on trains round the balkans. I recommend it, they aren't luxurious but they are fun. The worst train I've ever taken in Europe (the world in fact) was from Italy heading to Slovenia. Tiny, cramped, packed, no aircon, over sold, not enough seats, no room for luggage, angry staff, angrier customers. I found it hilarious despite it being so terrible just to watch this American women who was with her young daughter freak out at it all and swear she'd never travel by train again. Her daughter was fine with it all. The mother later claimed "I only did this journey to let my daughter see how poor people travel, it will be back to first class flights from now on".

Post: #12

If it was an internal destination within Bulgaria, I'd definitely say go for it.
Students ride the train for 50% off so you'd meet girls or at least dudes to drink and play cards with on the train, make friends with them and have them invite you to parties afterwords.

But a cross-country destination is different. There would be no university students riding the train from Turkey to Bulgaria, and from Bulgaria to Serbia - only cig smuggles (as said above), counterfeit brand name attire resellers (they buy from Turkey and resell in Bulgaria), seasonal workers, etc.

Not much to see on the way either - if you are after sightseeing, sign up for a scenic tour. Obviously the train does not pass thru the most beautiful areas, but whereever it was cheapest to lay the tracks.