80 hrs from London to Istanbul by Sleeper Train
4,023,253
Published 2022-07-10
Today I’m taking taking the train from London all the way to Istanbul. Crossing 9 countries along the way on a variety of different sleeper trains, high speed trains and down right awful trains! Join me as I travel in the fastest possible time by using only the method of rail to get from one side of the continent of Europe to the other. Starting in London St Pancras, I’ll catch the Eurostar to Paris Gare Du Nord. Next up due to a delay from my previously booked train, I’ll grab a TGV over to Zurich, Switzerland. From there it’s the Austian Nightjet over to Vienna. Thanks to several lucky scrapes, I’m able to grab a 1st class train over to Budapest and catch up with my original itinerary to continue on to Arad, Romania. From Arad I’ll take one Romania’s most luxurious sleeper train over to Bucharest in order to catch my final train over to Turkey. This will be a couchette and it’s fare to say it’s a little rough around the edges.
As always let me know what you think, and if you’d do the same - to travel across Europe by sleeper train. It’s certainly possible with a little patience and a lack of sleep aha.
0:00 - Introduction
1:46 - Eurostar to Paris
4:06 - TGV to Zurich
7:18 - Nightjet to Vienna
10:10 - 1st Class to Budapest
14:39 - Sleeper train to Bucharest
19:22 - Couchette to Istanbul
26:56 - Turkish border
All Comments (21)
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Thanks all for watching. Certainly one of the more challenging videos to make, especially given the delays and last minute changes. Next video is quite the opposite, perhaps one of the most luxurious travel "experiences" in the world. Can't wait to share.
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At 500K subs you should try and recreate “Around the World in 80 days”, traversing the globe by rail, road and Sea.
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This is probably the first time I watched one of your videos and DIDN'T want to take the same trip.
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When I was staying in Bulgaria, my friends would look at me like I was crazy when I said I took the train. They would explain to me that they basically never took the trains because they're old and way slower than alternatives. But I loved it. I bought a 1st class ticket and barely saw a soul and when you crack the window all the way down and let that breeze in it felt fresh. Such a scenic and beautiful country, it's worth a try even if you get to your destination slower.
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It’s funny watching someone used to first/business class do regular class traveling. I saw the three chairs and went, “Oh, I could sleep there. Easily.” I really like these videos of you taking trains.
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As much as I love seeing your smooth trips and luxury accommodations, it’s also refreshing to see the other side of traveling where a whole lot of things go wrong. Thanks for being a trooper and going through this haha safe travels!
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I met my turkish husband 1988,and same year at autumn,I travelled by train,from Finland to Istanbul,and by aeroplane to Dalaman and by bus to Marmaris!!!❤We are still married.😊
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Hi, mate! 🥰 Being a romanian🇷🇴, I'm so proud that you had 2 showers in Astra Trans Charpatian train that made you fresher for the next day. Very nice video, loved it🥰
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As a Bulgarian, I waited to the part when you have to comment on the iconic toilets, notorious through the ages. I haven't travelled by train in decades but I see nothing changes there (except maybe get dirtier). We as a nation are proud to be first in something when it comes to your travels. Stay safe Will, hope you remember us with something more than our toilets. Cheers to that Astika from my hometown!
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30 minutes, 4 days train. seeing this in my news feed is pure joy, thanks.
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in '75 i traveled eur. london to amtersdam, amtersdam to oslo, oslo to hamburg, hamburg to vienna, vienna to munich, munch to barcelona, baracelona to madrid, madrid to paris, paris to london. many overnight trains, tons of fun. the rail system in eur. was and is so much better than the states. Loved it all. thanks
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I literally watch 3 to 4 of your videos a day. I’ve watched other travel videos by others, but yours are the most entertaining and educational to watch. Thankyou for sharing your travels with everyone. Becca from Kansas
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I can’t thank you enough for doing these videos. I suffer from insomnia because of anxiety and there’s something about your videos that relax me, I think it’s your voice and how you edit your videos so smoothly. I find them all absolutely fascinating and the most perfect thing to watch to relax me before falling asleep peacefully. I’ve been binge watching all your videos. I know it seems silly but it’s always nice to know that your content helps people out there even if they don’t travel. Thanks again ❤️
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This is insanely cool, I can’t lie - You paid a arm and a leg to save the trip, serious dedication to the content. Great video trek!
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Its reminds me of the stress of travelling across Europe in the late 70's. You need to be young to do it like that. Thanks for sharing your trip.
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Im suffering from horrific anxiety and depression, you have given me something to watch and I so appreciate it thank you.. I wish I wasn’t bedridden with anxiety, I want to travel again.. I went to Sofia and have been to Vilnius and Kaunas last year till I was hit by this horrible illness.. thanks again. Be safe xx 😘
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Dear Will, I’ve been watching your content for a while and I just wanted to say thank you for making such amazing content! Personally, I am more of a plane person and I prefer your flight vlogs to the recent train vlogs however at the end of the day they are both great types of videos as they are all made to a great standard. I just wanted to say keep up the great work and soon you’ll be at 500k, and then afterwards hopefully you’ll one day be at 1 million. It has been incredible watching your channel grow, I can’t wait to see the channel grow even bigger. Keep up the great work!
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Currently quarantined, I have watched every single train journey of yours. Also from Jeb's too, you two are my fave youtubers now. Safe travels!
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Back in 2013 we took a sleeper train from Budapest to Bucharest Romania and at 2am the Romanian border guards came on board banging on our compartment that we had to show our papers . Felt like I was in a Cold War spy movie . Budapest is a beautiful city and Istanbul is one of my favorites. Very enjoyable video sir 😎😎😎
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You have a great narrative style.
