Interrail night trains Sofia - Istanbul
D 493/81031 Balkan Express (D 493)
Interrail night train from Sofia to Istanbul: D 493. Where to buy reservations. Schedule information. Seats/couchettes/sleepers.
Check times&prices 
buy here Buy your train reservation at a railway station. These are usually available at stations in all countries where a particular train runs through. In many countries, especially in central and eastern Europe you can also buy reservations for trains in other countries. In some countries (for instance in the Netherlands or Spain) you have to pay a service fee at the ticket counter.
From June 2, a direct couchette car will operate from Belgrade via Sofia to Istanbul and the train will also convey sleeper and couchette cars from Bucharest to Istanbul from the station of Dimitrovgrad.
The trains terminate at Halkali station on the outskirts of Istanbul. To get to the city centre a shuttle bus to Sirkeci station is provided.
The timings are for valid for summertime until October 28; from October 29 timings in Turkey are +1 hour (arrival Halkali 07:49).
Read more in the blog, see link below.
| Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
Sofia
(Gare Centrale) |
21:00 | |
|
Septemvri
(Гара) |
22:38 | 22:39 |
|
Pazardzhik
(Station) |
22:49 | 22:50 |
|
Plovdiv
(Tsentralna Gara) |
23:15 | 23:20 |
|
Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
(Station) |
00:01 | 00:16 |
|
Svilengrad
(Station) |
01:00 | 01:45 |
Kapıkule
|
03:00 | 03:52 |
|
Edirne
|
04:07 | 04:09 |
|
Çerkezköy
|
06:15 | 06:17 |
|
Istanbul
(Halkalı Garı) |
07:49 |
You do not have to change trains. The times are for information only.
Connection available on these week days (1=Monday / 7=Sunday)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Travel this route in reverse direction:
D 81032 / Istanbul-Sofia
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Couchette 6 | 6-berth-compartment | 2nd class | €9,40 |
| Couchette 4 | 4-berth-compartment | 2nd class | €14 |
| Sleeper 2 | 2-bed-compartment | private washing facility | 2nd class | €15 |
| Sleeper 1 | 1-bed-compartment | private washing facility | 1st class | €35 |
| Note: for ticket fares please follow the given booking links. Prices may vary depending on the route, purchase date and comfort category. | |
Category: Only the available categories are listed.
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