ATHENS - THESSALONIKI - ISTANBUL | train

chelseagirl
Traveller
2 comments

Hi Peter~ I'm from Spain and planning a budget travel via Turkey to Greece in June. I‘d like to know how much it cost if I travel by train without IR from Istanbul to Athens(in 17th June)? I plan to use IR 10 out of 22 days in this long trip but since this is the first time I use (at 20:30) I will have to use 2 days and I don't know if it's a wise choice. Would you like to give me some advise on that?
Thanks a lot. :)

Peter
Traveller
9331 comments

hi ...
2nd calss one-way it is ~ EUR 50,- plus the supplement for the sleeper plus the supplement if you use an IC/ICE train in Greece.
Peter :)

chelseagirl
Traveller
2 comments

Ok, thank you~ So this is the price if I travel with IR... but are there any news about a supplement on the ZUG trains after the railway were renewed? I knew the question sounds a bit silly but I will travel alone and I am a little nervous...Thank you~

Peter
Traveller
9331 comments

[b]2nd class, one-way[/b]
[b]WITH InterRail[/b]: free [b]+[/b] supplement for sleepers [b]+[/b] supplement for IC/ICE train in Greece (~ EUR 20)
[b]NO InterRail[/b]: ~ EUR 50 [b]+[/b] supplement for sleepers [b]+[/b] supplement for IC/ICE train in Greece (~ EUR 20)

no other updates available right now. Peter :)

Iristja
Traveller
18 comments

I am in Athens right now, but I have some problems with the behaving of men here, I am an blond girl, travelling by myself and here every second people are yelling at me, looking at me, and I have the idea it is not normal to walk through the city except for the very touristic places, as a girl by yourself. My hostel is close to omania, I dont know if it is the wrong neigbhourhoud or if it is just normal here. But I really dont feel safe at all, I was planning to go to Istanbul but I dont know if I wanna do that anymore, I think in Turkey it is even worse.
What are your experience about Athens and Istanbul?
And maybe what do you think about Sofia instead of Istanbul, is it good too or is it not nice to be as a young girl too? I am going to Thessaloniki saturday and I am doubting what to do after it, maybe I just go straight to Budapest, I have the idea the people there are many difference.

SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments

Hmm, i never had a problem in Istanbul or Sofia - but then I am a man. In the hostel in Istanbul it seems like the girls were getting more attention than what they were used to. You have to understand that it is a cultural thing, and it is mostly harmless. The chances of actually being attacked is comparable to any European city. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, try to find a group to wander round with and dress modestly. It would be a real shame to miss out on Istanbul as it is one of the greatest cities in the world.

Ive never been to greece, so dont know the situation there but I know a lot of young females who have gone (admittedly not alone) and had no trouble.

Iristja
Traveller
18 comments

yeah I really dont know, I think most man mean it innocent, but from 6pm or something on the street are really big groups of man, calling pssst and saying thins to me in greece, so I have no idea what they are saying. And I know the culture is more like that, then in the Netherlands, but It is not my thing and I really dont feel safe here, especially in the evening, I cant do what I wanted to do and that is what I hate.. i wear just normal clothes, but ofcourse you can see I am a tourist, but although it is the weather for it never wear my short pants or something... But I think it is not normal here as a Woman to do whatever you want, not by yourself.. but I am gonna enjoy my last day here.. and tommorow I'll see, maybe I go to Istanbul in the summer or spring by plane and bring a friend with me..

baobab
Traveller
128 comments

Athens center specially the area near Omonoia is a place that solo female travelers better avoid.
If you want to stay near center, the area near Syntagma and the National Technical University is much better and safer.
Anyway Thessaloniki and Istanbul are safe and nice cities..
maybe i should write a post about Athens center and stuff..
Doei.

Peter
Traveller
9331 comments

mmmh... should be possible to book from Patras. I booked this train as well from Sofia (Bulgaria). :)

Christiaan
Traveller
4 comments

I see that many members are interested in travelling from Istanbul to Thessaloniki/Athens by train and right this is see as a chance to get the information that are making me a bit worried.
One of my next train travelling plans is to visit Istanbul by train, all the way from my home in Slovenia, crossing Croatia, Serbia, FYR of Macedonia and Greece. Because of this I would be glad to help me with some information about the railway connection between Thessaloniki and Istanbul, more accurate, about the international fast train 444 (departure from Thessaloniki at 19.38, arrival at Istanbul Sirkeci at 08.04) and stopping on border stations.

According to my current plans, in early afternoon I’ll arrive to Thessaloniki by fast train from Belgrade and upper mentioned train 444 is next ideal connection to reach Istanbul.
Few weeks ago when I was making train table plans I saw that mentioned train 444 was classified only as a train, without any sleeping places available. In that timetable there was also written that train stops at border stations Pythion (in Greece) and Uzunköprü (in Turkey) for necessary border crossing procedures, among others, passengers were able to purchase Turkish visa on Turkish border station. Because citizens of Slovenia need Turkish visa and are also allowed purchasing it on borders, I was planning to do that on Uzunköprü station (cost of visa is €15 and on Turkish embassy in capital Ljubljana is much higher).
When I was after some time again checking the timetables, I was a bit surprised to see the change of 444’s classification and change of border crossing points (mentioned are Kulata(fr) and Kapikule(fr) stations). Does this mean that train is crossing Bulgaria as well on its journey to Istanbul?

The main question what I would like to ask you is if on the current railway connection Thessaloniki-Istanbul Sirkeci by international fast train 444 possible to purchase Turkish visa on any of border stations that train is crossing them?

Thank you

Christiaan
Traveller
4 comments

I'm adding some additional information that will maybe help with providing useful answer. Few minutes ago I was checking train timetables for mentioned destination and train, this time on other page. And this time I got back a timetable where train is crossing border only at Pythion(fr) and stops also at Uzunköprü station.

Here are both displays from two different sites with timetables (compare description of train and intermediate stops):
ROUTE PLANNER
[timetable session disappeared - please copy the schedules directly here to the website]

DB BAHN Travel service
[timetable session disappeared - please copy the schedules directly here to the website]

I understood and I agree if someone think that I'm a bit too complication, but this is really making me mad and would be really calm if this situation would be made clear.

Regards

Asperger
Traveller
1 comments

Just I have the same problem.
Day train is given by Turkish site.
Greeg gives problems on there site.
DB and PKP don't give the day train.
I think the Turkish site is extremly old, not updated.
Can anybody give me a direct link to good new timetables for Thessaloniki-Istanbul Sirkeci ?
Regusrds,

Asperger.

Rd-Pwn
Traveller
1 comments

Peter, thanks for all the great information in your post.

[quote]
[b]3-bed-compartment (normally used by 2 persons)[/b]
Rail pass fare: EUR 24[/quote]

I just wanted to ask - do you know if this is the price for the whole compartment or per-person?

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Usually that's the price for one person. ;)

airwaves
Traveller
2 comments

Hey there,

are there any news about the reopening for the tracks between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis? Travel period July 2010!

Best wishes from very snowy Switzerland ;)

Antonis
Traveller
1 comments

[quote]Hey there,
are there any news about the reopening for the tracks between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis? Travel period July 2010!
Best wishes from very snowy Switzerland ;) [/quote]

Hello airwave,

According to the news:
unews.pathfinder.gr/society/hwris-trena-h-alexandroypoli-.html
the line between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis is closed during 8-16/1/2010 due to works. So you will be able to enjoy your journey next summer.

Best regards,
Antonis

Peter
Traveller
9331 comments

hi antonis... thank you for this information. peter :)

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Hi

I recently used the connection. The train changed I think and they only offer 2-bed-compartments now, as far as I could see.

It is one connection per day, train-number is 444. Maybe this will change in summer?!

here is the time-table: (sorry for bad quality)
[img:38sa58b9]http://www.0-8-fufzen.de/cache/thessa-istan.jpg[/img:38sa58b9]

But the train was just great! old but very clean and comfortable. I think I've paid around 30EUR for the bed...

Peter
Traveller
9331 comments

Hi Simon.
Thanks. Perfect information!
Peter :)

etienne
Traveller
5 comments

For the price, I found this information:

Thessaloníki - Istanbul:

In 2 beds cabin
Sould be 85€ for one and 96€ for 2

Is there really 6-bed-compartment?
How much is it without IR?

Thank you

puck29
Traveller
9 comments

Hmm, please do not take this for absolutely sure, because I am no expert. But if we are talking about the train № 444/81021 leaving Thessaloniki at 1948hrs and arriving in Istanbul Sirkeci at 0807hrs, then I would say there are no six-berth couchettes. But this is only based on the information given at [u]http://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=OSE&cislo=444/81021&rok=2010[/u] which lists only sleepers with two bed compartments.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

There are no couchettes.

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

I traveled there one month ago and it was only two-bed rooms. Very comfortable. But it was much cheaper than [quote](..) In 2 beds cabin
Sould be 85€ for one and 96€ for 2
www.turkeytravelplanner.com/trans/Train/dostluk_filia.html
(...)[/quote].
I think something around 30-40 EUR. (*reservation)

Maybe they use another train in summertime.

Simon

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

I guess the price etienne mentioned is for a regular ticket if you're travelling without InterRail.

Hsingh7
Traveller
1 comments

Hello

I was wondering if anyone has taken this route recently as I am planning to book an interrail pass for this summer through this site. Will the bus be accepted by an interrail pass?

Also, apologies if this is in the wrong place, but does anyone know the best way to get to greece from Italy. It seems quite difficult or I would have to take another route towards Croatia and then down, but this seems very long. I am planning to do the 10 days travel within 30.

Many thanks

Hari

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi Hari!

No, Interrail is not valid on buses from Greece to Turkey.
If you want to go to Turkey from Greece you will have to use regular buses and buy a ticket.

Greece to Italy probably is best by direct ferry from Patras to Bari, Ancona, Trieste or Venice.
ANEK Superfast and Minoan Lines accept Interrail and you get a free deck passage. Additionally you have to pay port and fuel tax and a seasonal surcharge which will sum up to about 30-40€. Also, if you want to sleep in a cabin you will have to pay extra.

We are official partners of interrail.eu - to support the free information and the forum on railcc, please be fair and buy your official Interrail pass via our railcc partner link: [ux]https://rail.shop/interrail[/ux]
Thank you! :)


Flo 8)

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Is there any place I can buy the required reservation online for the Intercity between Thessaloniki and Athens? I'm only 1day in Thessaloniki so afraid to buy it at the station...

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

No, only at the station. :|