In October, direct trains will resume from Bucharest to Istanbul, Sofia, and Varna

The Romanian railway has resumed seasonal international connections between Bucharest, Istanbul, Sofia, and Varna. Daily direct trains are already operating on popular tourist routes and will remain on the routes until mid-October. The new services may provide an additional alternative to air travel for Ukrainians traveling through Romania. 

This information is reported by Euronews citing the national carrier CFR Călători.

Direct trains from the capital of Romania reconnect three countries

The seasonal international program Romania started on June 12 with the resumption of services between Bucharest and Varna. The next day, direct trains to Sofia and Istanbul returned.

According to the carrier, the routes will operate until October 12, 2026. An exception will be the route to Varna, where the last train from Bucharest will depart on October 11.

CFR Călători notes that the new routes are designed to provide comfortable and affordable travel for tourists planning vacations in Bulgaria or Turkey.

How long does the journey take and what are the ticket prices

The shortest of the international routes is the train to Varna. The train covers the route in approximately 9 hours and 10 minutes. Tickets in second class start from 27 euros, or about 1300 UAH.

The journey to Sofia takes almost 10 hours. Tickets cost from 33.6 euros, which is equivalent to about 1610 UAH.

The longest route runs to Istanbul. The train departs from Bucharest in the day and arrives at Halkalı station the next morning. The total travel time is about 23 hours. A seat in a four-person compartment costs from 57.8 euros, or about 2770 UAH.

What does this mean for Ukrainians

The resumption of international routes may interest Ukrainians who are in Romania or using the country as a transit hub for traveling in Europe.

Rail connections allow traveling to Bulgaria and Turkey without transfers and can be a cost-effective alternative to short flights, especially during the summer tourist season.

Tickets are already available for booking 90 days before departure through the carrier's website, international ticket offices, and for Interrail pass holders.

It is worth noting that from April 25, 2026, the Ukrainian railway has introduced dynamic pricing for tickets in SV (luxury) and first-class Intercity trains.