New Overnight Train Will Connect 3 Of Europe’s Most Underrated Cities


Share The Article

We scored ourselves a new one, you guys.

To all our fellow train enthusiasts out there, this year is truly the year Europe took its Rail Renaissance to the next level. Every other month now, a new route launches between two unlikely cities – in some cases, sometimes from Switzerland all the way to Scandinavia.

If you’re ditching the chaos of airside travel this summer, this new overnight service will connect 3 of the Old Continent’s most exciting, yet arguably underrated cities, from Byzantine Orthodox cathedrals to towering Ottoman minarets… this summer and spring only.

Direct Trains From Europe To Turkey Are Back On Track

New Overnight Train Will Connect 3 Of Europe's Most Underrated Cities

After a 6-year suspension, since, ahem, COVID—remember her?—direct international trains are finally relaunching from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, via Sofia, its Bulgarian counterpart, all the way to… Istanbul in Turkey!

The start date is June 12, 2026, with daily operations set to run smoothly through October 12.

Now, chances are you’re probably only somewhat familiar with the latter, while having vaguely heard of the other ones—unless you’re a Travel Off Path reader, of course—so don’t worry, we’ll get to those in a bit.

First, let’s have a look at this shiny, new, revamped train, operated by Romania’s national rail company CFR Călători. To keep it brief, it will work like this:

2 women with luggage walking toward train
  • This will be a single departing train, starting from Bucharest Nord
  • It will have different destination sections (wagons) that split en route

It is ‘direct’ in passenger terms, in the sense you won’t need to hop on and off the train at different stops to reach your final destination, if that is Istanbul, but if we’re being exact, it’s not a single, unified train all the way (in the physical sense of the word).

Sounds complicated? Let’s break this town:

Everything You Need To Know About The New Romania To Turkey Train

The ‘full train’ will depart Bucharest Nord at 10:46 am daily, arriving at Giurgiu Nord, the Romania-Bulgaria border crossing, at 1:08 pm.

Train Leaving Bucharest In Romania

Unlike half a decade ago, when border officers would hop on the train, collect your passport, and you’d wait anywhere between 1–2 hours to get it back stamped, there are no longer border checks between Romania and Bulgaria.

That is because both countries are now part of the Schengen Area, and passport control for traveling between them no longer applies.

The train’s arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is set for 8:41 pm, and that’s when the overnight stretch officially begins.

The train stops for a longer scheduled break, when it is checked, reorganized, and party-reconfigured. The cars used by passengers who have Sofia as their destination get detached and parked in the Bulgarian capital, and that’s the end of their journey.

A Passenger Train In Bulgaria

For the Istanbul section, overnight sleeper/couchette cars are kept and prepared for the night run to Turkey, with the arrival at Istanbul, the final destination, scheduled for 9:56 the next day.

Contrary to the Bulgaria–Romania border, however, you will need to undergo border checks going into Turkey as it is not part of the Schengen Area.

If those contrasting travel rules across different European countries confuse you, verify the regulations that apply to U.S. passport holders on the Entry Requirements Checker.

To sum it up:

  • Is it a direct, southbound train from Romania all the way to Turkey? Yes.
  • Do passengers traveling the full length of the route have to change in Bulgaria? No.
  • Is it a single continuous train set? No*

*If you’ve booked a standard seat for the daytime section between Romania and Bulgaria, and a couchette for the overnight stretch, you will need to briefly exit the train in Sofia and change carriages.

The 3 Balkan Powerhouses: Which City Break To Go For?

Bucharest, Sofia or Bucharest?
Bucharest, Romania
Old Town Bucharest, Romania
  • Recommend length of stay: 3 days
  • Perfect for: budget-friendly weekends out, park strolls, gastronomy tours
  • Not to miss: the Romanian Parliament, the Paris-inspired Historic Center, and the Brașov day trip

The sprawling capital of Romania, which has just recently started hosting Transatlantic flights from New York, by the way—especially in case, you know, you need an alternative entry point into the Balkans this summer—Bucharest is the most unusual, quirkiest, offbeat European city break there is.

Some call it the Paris of the East, due to the tree-lined streets lined with Haussmann-inspired edifices that resemble the City of Lights, but that’s a bit of an overstatement.

You don’t really go to Bucharest for the beauty of it or the architectural grandeur, unless you’re into giant concrete blocks and massive Brutalist Parliaments—thanks, communism—but rather for the buzzing social scene, hidden art galleries, and park strolls.

Court of Appeal Building on tne Dambovita River in Bucharest

Plus, it’s just a steal of a deal.

A beer in a local pub will cost you as little as $2–3, and if you’ve never tried Romanian food before, boy oh boy, you’re in for a treat: a hearty ciorbă, paired with mici and some homemade mint lemonade, costs on average $10–15 at any downtown restaurant.

Bucharest is also a great starting point for exploring Romania: if you’re looking for an easy day trip, Brasov, one of the prettiest medieval cities in Europe, is a short 2.5-hour train ride away (and from Brasov itself, you can easily hop over to Bran, the ‘Dracula Castle’).

Sofia, Bulgaria

Aerial View Of Alexander Nevksy Cathedral In Sofia, Bulgaria At Night
  • Recommend length of stay: 3 days
  • Perfect for: ancient ruins, carefree city strolls, café culture
  • Not to miss: the Rotunda Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church (on the edge of town)

Sofia feels a little like Bucharest in terms of the Soviet-inspired cityscape, and the rows upon rows of grayed-out apartment blocks, with a bit of a twist.

It just happens to be one of Europe’s most ancient cities, and having been shaped by all of the major civilizations, from the Thracians, to the Greeks, to the Romans, and the Ottomans, there are bits and bobs of each era literally scattered all around town.

It’s not exactly the most homogenous, aesthetically-pleasing cityscape, if you only know Europe for places like Paris or Milan: the gems and all that Old World beauty are hiding in plain sight amidst the oppressive 20th-century communist blight.

Trams in Sofia, Bulgaria

Think Saint George Rotunda, for instance, an early Byzantine church tucked away in a secretive courtyard surrounded by modern buildings, which still holds baptisms to this day, the ruins of Serdica, the ancient Roman settlement that preceded Sofia, right beside the metro stop of the same name, and of course, the architectural centerpiece, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

With its blend of golden domes, green copper roof, and impressive mosaics, it’s probably the most impressive Orthodox cathedral I’ve seen myself… after the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, of course.

Unlike Mother Russia, however, Americans have very few safety concerns visiting Sofia: the Traveler Safety Index is the best tool for gauging safety levels around Europe, and Bulgaria scores an impressive 89 out of 100.

Istanbul, Turkey

Crowded street in Istanbul
  • Recommend length of stay: 5–7 days
  • Perfect for: bazaar shopping, hamman treatments, landmark-packed sightseeing
  • Not to miss: the Rotunda Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church (on the edge of town)

The culmination of your overnight journey, Istanbul is not somewhere you actually want to rush through.

Between the European and Asian sides, split by the busy Bosphorus Strait, there’s an entire world to discover, from the ancient Roman cisterns to the Byzantine churches, and finally the bustling bazaars and soaring Ottoman minarets blasting out the call to prayer from dusk to dawn.

I’ve been to Istanbul myself 10+ times—yes, I love Turkey that much—and the reason I keep coming back is that, similarly to places like Rome or London, this is a city of endless layers that I feel I could never uncover fully.

Ortakoy Mosque In Istanbul, Turkey

Every time I go, I see something new and different that I hadn’t before.

If you’re asking me which landmarks are an absolute must-see for your introductory visit to Istanbul—trust me, you’ll be back—I’d say Hagia Sophia, the former early Christian basilica with the iconic red dome, the Blue Mosque just facing it, and Galata Tower, sitting atop a hill across the water from the Historic Peninsula, are 3 of the top attractions.

No Istanbul district feels the same either:

The Historic Peninsula is where you go for the ancient stuff and monument-hopping, Beyoğlu (particularly off Taksim) is the primary hub for shopping and cafe-hopping.

View Of Galata Tower In The Beyoglu District Of Istanbul, Turkiye, Eurasia

Balat and Fener are where you’ll find the most beautiful cluster of Ottoman porches and pastel-hue facades, nestled at the foot of a striking-red Greek Orthodox school.

Now, if you’re looking for those hidden spots locals themselves like to escape to on the weekend, you should take the ferry out to the Princes’ Islands, an archipelago part of Istanbul’s metropolitan zone—your metro ticket works for going there too!—and spend a full day visiting beaches and exploring the Ancient Greek heritage of Büyükada.

From Romania, through Bulgaria, all the way to Istanbul: this is the closest to an Orient Express experience you’ll get in 2026.





Source link

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, we promise.

Recent Reviews







2026 has shaped up to be a big year for Milwaukee, and the company shows no signs of slowing down as it expands its product line. For example, it has announced that some solid new Milwaukee hand tools and organizers will be arriving throughout the summer, but that’s not all. At the end of the day, you need somewhere to put all of this stuff, and while the Milwaukee Packout storage system is deep and varied as is, the company will expand the line in the summer months.

More methods for organizing your tools are on the way, too, with the Milwaukee Packout line set to introduce some new entries this summer. They vary in size, purpose, and price point, but they’re all compatible with the wider Packout line. That means they can connect to each other, making transportation easier. In some cases, they’ll be able to help keep tools and other items secure and organized while on the move. Additionally, all of these new Packout products are covered by Milwaukee’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

So, what new products does Milwaukee have to offer from its Packout line this summer? Here are the drops you can look forward to throughout June and July 2026.

Milwaukee compact crate

Sometimes, a massive Packout crate isn’t a necessity, which is why the line has its share of smaller options. Yet another will be coming to the Milwaukee catalog in the form of the Milwaukee Packout compact crate, which is set for a June 2026 release and will cost $39.97. It has a 30-pound weight capacity, comes in at 8.75 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide, 15.5 inches long, and 3.75 pounds, and includes two removable dividers to create up to three sections within the crate. The dividers can also be customized by cutting them to size along the pre-made score lines.

This compact crate features a wide front opening for easy access to its contents while on the job, as well as a metal top handle to carry it around on its own. Should you want to add it to your current Packout stack, you can use the connection points at the top and bottom of the crate. Speaking of durability, Milwaukee notes that it has an impact-resistant body along with weep holes to prevent water collection. At the same time, there is some nuance regarding the waterproof nature of Milwaukee Packout products, so keep that in mind before letting this crate get soaked.

Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate

A shorter but equally mighty Milwaukee Packout container is also on its way to customers this summer. The Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate is the shortest of the new releases at just 6.625 inches tall, though it makes up for what it lacks in height with a 15-inch length and an 18.625-inch width. Even though it’s slightly heavier than the compact crate at 4.85 pounds, it wins out in weight capacity with a 50-pound limit. It will be released in June 2026 and will cost $44.97.

For added modularity, the low-profile crate includes three different divider types: eight short, two long, and one for the middle of the container. When combined, they form up to 12 individual sections for tool and accessory organization. In terms of connecting to other Packout containers, it can do so from the top and bottom. Alternatively, built-in side handles are integrated into the design to make it easier to carry the crate on its own. The crate has weep holes for water drainage and an impact-resistant body.

Milwaukee Packout XL crate

Moving on to one of the larger upcoming Milwaukee Packout releases — even if it ultimately lands somewhere in the middle of the smallest and largest Packout containers for sale — there’s the aptly-named Milwaukee Packout XL crate. This release will hit shelves in June 2026 and comes with a $69.97 price tag. The 8.03-pound crate can take on some serious tools with its 75-pound weight capacity. It measures 15 inches tall, 15.75 inches long, and 18.625 inches wide. Despite its size, it can be hung up on a wall like most other Packout containers.

While some may hang this crate in their workshop, many will use it as part of their mobile Packout stack. You can connect it to your existing setup via the top and bottom connection points. It can also be used with Milwaukee toolbox attachments to hold smaller tools and batteries with connection points on the sides. Alternatively, you can move the crate around using its built-in side handles. It’s advertised as having an impact-resistant body along with anti-water collection weep holes. Suffice to say, there’s more to this seemingly simple crate than initially meets the eye.

Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL Crate

For the most part, the Milwaukee Packout line is so popular because of its versatility. While most entries can be used for just about anything, there are those that come with a specialized function. Case in point, the forthcoming Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL crate, which is designed for dispensing wire. This involves inserting and locking in spools of the user’s needed material, threading the wire through the wire retention slots, and using the fold-down panel to keep the end of the wire from rolling back into the box.

Overall, this crate has the same dimensions and weight capacity as the previously covered Packout XL crate, though it is the heavier of the two at 9.85 pounds. It can accommodate up to six spools, can be stacked onto other Packout containers or hung up, and has an impact-resistant body. This is the most expensive of the new Packout releases at a hefty $119.97, and it’s set to release during July 2026. Alongside the best Milwaukee power tools for electrical work, this crate seems like a vital piece for any Milwaukee-enthusiast electrician’s kit.

New Milwaukee Packout inserts are coming, too

That’s it for the new Milwaukee Packout containers set to debut this summer, but there are more new releases yet to cover. To pair with some of these containers and improve their levels of organization and function, come two new insert sets. First is the divider for the Milwaukee Packout XL crate, which splits the container into two sections. It simply slides down the middle of the crate and fits snugly into place, while retaining its ability to connect with smaller Packout attachments. It will be released in July 2026 for $29.97.

Alongside the Packout XL crate divider is the set of Packout wire pulling inserts for the XL crate. You’ll need these if you end up buying an XL crate and later want to use it as a wire-pulling crate. These inserts allow you to convert it instead of having to buy a new designated wire pulling crate. They attach to two of the inner sides of the crate via T-25 screws and include wire puller guards as well. The Milwaukee product listing says these inserts are meant for 1/2-inch EMT conduit. This insert set also comes out in July and will cost $49.97. 





Source link