CFR Călători announces that between June 14 and October 14, 2024, the international train “Romania” will provide a daily direct service from Bucharest to Istanbul / Halkali, Varna, Sofia and back. The road is long due to customs stops and low speed. Trains stop at many stations in Bulgaria.

Turkish sleeping carPhoto: Vlad Barza / HotNews.ro

The most comfortable is a TCDD (Turkish Railway Company) four-seater sleeping car, which, however, takes 19-20 hours for 803 km, and because it stops a lot, the car is attached to several slow regional trains in Bulgaria.

It is 509 km from Bucharest to Sofia, and 357 km from Bucharest to Varna. Trains will go to Giurgi via a detour route, via Videle, as the traffic on the bridge from Gradishtei is not open.

The same train already has carriages to Sofia and Varna, respectively. The road to Varna takes almost ten hours, and the same time to Sofia.

Traffic schedule and fare

Bucharest – Istanbul / Halkali

International train “Romania” 461 (461/ 465/ 493/ 12504): Bucharest North (departure 10:47) – Istanbul / Halkali (arrival 06:34).

International train “Romania” 460 (12503/ 492/ 464/ 460): Istanbul/Halkali (departure 20:00) – Bucharest Nord (arrival 17:17)

A ticket Bucharest North – Istanbul/Halkali (or both ways), in a 4-seater sleeping car, costs 56 euros.

Halkali station is 25 km from Sirkeci station, the most famous station in Istanbul, and the trip by public transport takes about an hour.

Bucharest – Varna

International train “Romania” 461 (461/ 2615): Bucharest Nord (departure 10:47) – Varna (arrival 20:55)

International train “Romania” 460 (2612/ 460): Varna (departure 07:45) – Bucharest Nord (arrival 17:17)

A ticket Bucharest North – Varna (or there and back), in 2nd class, costs 31 euros.

Bucharest – Sofia

International train “Romania” 461: Bucharest Nord (departure 10:47) – Sofia (arrival 20:21)

International train “Romania” 460 (2611/ 460): Sofia (departure 07:00) – Bucharest Nord (arrival 17:17)

A ticket Bucharest North – Sofia (or there and back), in 2nd class, costs 32 euros.

Tickets for these destinations are already on sale.

The term of advance purchase of railway tickets for international trips is 90 days. They can be purchased at CFR Călători stations and travel agencies open for international transport, as well as online at https://bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/ro with the option of picking up a ticket from the train station or delivery by courier.