Key facts
- Direct train services from Bucharest to Istanbul, Sofia, and Varna have restarted.
- The seasonal routes are operated by Romania's national rail operator, CFR Călători.
- Trains will run daily until mid-October, with specific end dates for each route.
- Fares start from €27 for a one-way second-class ticket to Varna.
- The service aims to provide a comfortable and affordable travel option for summer holidays.
Romania's national rail operator, CFR Călători, has relaunched its seasonal direct train services from Bucharest to Istanbul, Sofia, and Varna, offering passengers an alternative to short-haul flights for summer travel. The "România" service, which began on June 12 with the Varna route and resumed to Sofia and Istanbul on June 13, will operate daily until mid-October.
Fares for second-class tickets start at €27 for the journey to Varna, €33.60 to Sofia, and €57.80 for a couchette berth to Istanbul. The travel times range from approximately 9 hours for Varna and Sofia to over 23 hours for the overnight journey to Istanbul Halkalı station.
Passengers can book tickets up to 90 days in advance through the CFR Călători website or at international ticket sales points. The routes are also accessible for travellers using Interrail passes. This initiative aligns with a broader trend in Europe towards increased international rail travel and the renewed popularity of sleeper services.