Embarking on a wallet-friendly adventure from Helsinki to Istanbul overland is not just about reaching your destination; it’s about relishing the journey itself. This is how I travelled from Finland to Istanbul, employing a mix of trains and buses to make the most of every penny.
My trip from Helsinki to Istanbul overland – step by step
1. Luxury and Scenic Views: Tallinn to Riga by LuxExpress (23€, 2 hours 25 minutes)
After taking the Eckerö Line ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn (2 hours, 22 euros), my journey truly kicked in with style aboard the LuxExpress bus to Riga. As I savoured the journey in first class, the landscape unfolded outside the window, revealing quaint villages along the 2.5-hour route. Although the bus provided coffee and tea, snack enthusiasts need to prepare with provisions. There is also a restroom on the bus.
2. Flixbus Adventure: From Riga to Vilnius (18€, 5 hours)
Transitioning seamlessly from one Baltic capital to another, I hopped on a Flixbus from Riga to Vilnius. Different buses shuttle between the Baltic cities many times per hour, providing a convenient way to explore even more remote areas. For a comprehensive Baltic bus trip, check out my more detailed one-week itinerary here.
3. Eastern European Charm: Vilnius to Krakow by Train (30€, 13 hours)
Switching gears in Vilnius, I took my first train ride to Krakow. Along the way, you can hop off in Kaunas, Lithuania, adding a touch of charm to the adventure. While the train ambled through the countryside, offering snacks in Lithuania and a trolley with treats on the Polish side (NB: a cup of tea cost 5 euros!), I chose to stay on board and head straight to Krakow. The service runs once every day, and there is a change in Mockava. Follow this link for more information and for booking the tickets.
4. Just Another Bus Ride: Krakow to Brno with Flixbus (42.50€, about 5 hours)
Opting for convenience, I boarded another Flixbus from Krakow to Brno, arriving in the early afternoon without the need for a transfer. This swift journey allowed me to focus on my commissioned article, with activities in Brno already pre-booked. I spent four days in Brno and then continued my journey from Helsinki to Istanbul.
5. A Coffee Break in Budapest: A Train from Brno to Budapest (37.20€, 4 hours)
After Brno, I was keen to reach the Balkans. Opting for a brief stopover in Budapest (where I wanted to visit the New York Cafe), I enjoyed a train journey of just four hours. Energized by coffee and a delightful chocolate dessert, I explored the Hungarian capital, savouring a sunny afternoon and evening.
6. Budget-Friendly Flixbus: Budapest to Belgrade (22.50€, 7 hours)
Embracing another cost-effective option, I hopped on a Flixbus from Budapest to Belgrade. The seven-hour and 10-minute journey flew by, thanks to my knack for napping during bus rides. While considering a stop at Novi Sad, I prioritized exploring Belgrade and securing my next train ticket for the highlight of the trip.
7. Night Train to the Adriatic: Belgrade to Bar (49€, + 11 hours)
The Balkan Express, or the Montenegro Express, departs Belgrade at sunset and arrives just in time for stunning views of Montenegrin mountains, shortly followed by the Adriatic Sea. This train ride was the highlight of my journey and an enchanting experience I can recommend to anyone. Tickets can only be bought from the Belgrade train station. You can read a more detailed description of the Balkan Express at this link.
8. Balkan Bus Adventure: Night Bus to Skopje from Podgorica (30€, 9 hours 25 minutes)
Taking a break in the coastal town of Utjeha near Bar, I resumed my journey first with a local bus back to Bar, and then another bus to Podgorica, which took about an hour. The journeys were a couple of euros each. I also printed out all my bus tickets at the Bar bus station (the cashier kindly did this for me) as the internet site busticket4.me advised that paper tickets are obligatory.
I stayed in Podgorica overnight, and the next day, I spent my day in various coffee shops because I needed to work. Then, at 8.05 pm, I took my first night bus on this trip. Although I enjoy napping in daytime buses, an overnight trip sitting up is a horror. This time, the bus stopped around midnight in a very nice petrol station with sparkling clean bathroom facilities, and I also bought some snacks to cheer me up. In the end, I had quite a nice night ride to Skopje, even though I only got an hour or two of sleep.
9. Charming cities: An Easy Ride from Skopje to Sofia (26€, 4 hours 45 minutes)
As the bus left at 7 am from Skopje’s Central Bus Station, I spent the first two hours napping, then had breakfast out of my snack box before realizing I was in Sofia. When you travel through the Balkans by bus, be prepared to present your passport at the borders. Also, sometimes you may need to give your bags to customs to be searched. This happened once on my trip.
10. The Journey’s End: Sofia to Istanbul night train(25€, 12,5 hours)
The grand finale of my trip was a night train from Sofia to Istanbul. Reveling in the comfort of a solo sleeping cabin, I navigated border hassles with ease and arrived at Halkalı station in time. From here, it’s easy to take the Marmaris line (tickets can be bought from machines with cash or card – best to have some lire at hand, though) to the inner city and start exploring Istanbul!
And this was it, my dear readers, my journey from Helsinki to Istanbul overland!
Cost:
The busses and trains cost about 330 euros, including two night trains (which also saved me from spending 2 nights in hotels). The shorter bus journeys (from Utjeha to Bar and Bar to Podgorica) were cheap, a couple of euros each. Mind you, I think I got a reduction on my solo sleeping cabin from Sofia to Istanbul.
I used a mix of hotels, aparthotels, and Airbnbs along the way, with a couple of the hotels provided by tourism PRs as I was writing articles about the properties or the cities they were located in. The cost of the hotels started from 33 euros (CityBox in Tallinn).
It was also easy to find budget-friendly and vegetarian eating options on the journey.
