I'm traveling from Munich to Istanbul with my 3 kids (2 teenagers & 6 yo) in May. Was planning on flying until I saw the seat61 site. Now I'm considering taking the train one way and flying back to Munich on a budget airline (Pegasus? Turkish Airlines?). I can get tickets online from debahn from Munich to Budapest, but am at a loss on how to purchase tickets for the rest of the trip. Can I wait until we get to Germany and then purchase them from a debahn station (we'll be in Germany for 3 weeks before we head to Turkey)? Or should I just wait and purchase tickets at the train stations in Budapest (for the Budapest-Bucharest leg) and Bucharest (for the Bucharest-Istanbul leg)? Has anyone taken this route recently? (I'm aware of the transfer to bus at the Turkish border.) How easy is it to purchase the tickets at the train station for travel that day (English is my only language)? I'll have US dollars and euros, but not local currency.
train travel from munich to istanbul
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BTW, I'm aware that Bucharest is in Romania; I accidently held down the wrong key and cannot edit my post!
Lots of options. You could certainly go to the "travel bureau" in the main Munich station and purchase the tickets there. I am not certain you would need to purchase them any sooner than that although others may offer different opinions. I would do this as opposed to waiting until you get to Budapest, etc.
For low cost return flights, check http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp
I think the best bet is to ring DB if at all possible and explain the journey you want to do, you should be able to purchase your tickets through them or else OBB. I have written 2 posts elsewhere which includes this journey as part of a longer journey so I hope the relevant information (on specific trains and routes) will be helpful to you:
http://loco2.co.uk/engine-room-forum/sleeper-trains/budapest-overnight-train-to-belgrade?page=1#forums_post_233
http://loco2.co.uk/engine-room-forum/further-afield/lebanon?page=1#forums_post_197
OK, if air travel is involved then check www.skyscanner.net or www.whichbudget.com
By checking local travel websites in German, the was the unanimous statements that neither German Rail offices nor any other travel agencies in Germany sold tickets for whole journey. All travelers reported that they bought tickets for the connecting trains at their origin, which was Munich, Budapest and Bucharest. The route via Belgrade had not been mentioned. I can only guess why - and I have no clue how easy or not border controls will be handled, especially when entering Bulgaria, i.e. the EU again from Serbia on the Belgrade route. Good luck.
It's easy enough to buy tickets as you go, and there's almost always places available.
If you're in the UK, either call DB's UK office on 08718 80 80 66 or contact www.europeanrail.com.
www.europeanrail.com will also send tickets overseas, although remmeber you'll pay a booking fee and postage fee this way.
Also remember it's a railway replacement bus from Kapikule to Istanbul until October 2013, due to the Marmaray Project engineering work.
But it IS a lovely trip through the Carpathians into Bucharest, and across Bulgaria!
Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I'll wait and inquire at the train station when I get to Germany as we'll have several weeks there before we head to Turkey. If we do end up going this route, I'll be sure and let you know how it worked out!
Also, thanks for the websites for finding airfare. I appreciate your help!