Belgrade to Bucharest/Brasov

[Searle]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are looking to go interrailling in the summer (July time), and we've got a nice route sorted, all apart from one annoying bit between Belgrade and Bucharest/Brasov.

Our original plan was to go via Sofia, then up to Bucharest and then onto Brasov, however the only train between Belgrade and Sofia is a night train, which seems to be very unpredictable and dodgy, and apparently you can only book reservations on the day. As you can imagine, that's quite put us off the idea of it!

The other option I thought of was to go Belgrade - Vrsac - Timisoara - Bucharest, however there seems to be some dispute between Belgrade and Timisoara. As far as I know, Belgrade - Vrsac train has been withdrawn, and the Vrsac - Timisoara part, I can't seem to work out where it runs from now, there's so much contradictory information.

Apart from these two options, the only other option seems to be via Budapest, which seems like a hell of a long journey, and I'd rather avoid spending 11 hours or so on a day train!

So my questions are: Does anyone know what the Sofia night train is and how reliable it is? and does anyone know what's the deal with the Belgrade - Timisoara section and if there's an easy way of getting through that?

Thanks for the help!

 

[30907]

I assume you have done "due diligence" with Seat61 to get this far? If not, that's your first step

Our German friends on Drehscheibe have a complete list of timetables etc for anywhere you can think of
http://www.drehscheibe-foren.de/foren/read.php?30,4575048

The link to the Serbian timetable takes you to a German translation of the original http://www.ec-tobias.de/service/, and it shows the current B-Dunav to Vrsac service exactly as described on Seat61, together with a current timetable for Vrsac-Timisoara (and likewise the route via Kikinda-Jumbolia). Neither the Romanian CFR website nor DB list Vrsac, but there's nothing I can find to say there is a problem with the Serbian service (bar the lack of an online timetable!).

If you can manage a little German (or an online translator) the Drehscheibe Ausland forum (as above) has plenty of trip reports with numerous photos.

Before you ask, I have no personal knowledge of the area - it's been interesting trying to find out!

 

[Searle]

Thanks for those websites, I'll check them out in due course. My knowledge of German goes no further than saying a couple of numbers, so thankfully Google Translate will hopefully help me out!

I have checked for Seat61 on many things, although now you've reminded me, I'll check back over his notes again. Thanks!

 

[NL Railways]

Why not taking a night train or day train which one you prefer from Belgrade to Budapest and then taking a EuroNight sleeper to Brasov? This could be a good alternative if the other route doesn´t work out

 

[gordonthemoron]

I don't know if there's a day train between Sofia & Bucharest but the night train is awful, 2/3 seated coaches only

 

[oldman]

According to the Serbian online railway timetable, there are 4 trains daily Beograd Dunav (not the main station) to Vrsac, and 2 Vrsac to Timosoara Nord.

 

[87015]

I don't know if there's a day train between Sofia & Bucharest but the night train is awful, 2/3 seated coaches only

Day train remains cancelled due to alleged lack of serviceable JZ 661s.

The overnight is load 2, 1 JZ couchette (decent nick) and 1 BDZ ex-DR open seated coach (mostly recently refreshed, but very rancid for a night!). The BDZ open can be replaced by another JZ couchette coach just used as seats though which is far more comfy.

Book the couchette at Belgrade from Wasteels agency by the block - they speak English - i've never heard of it being full. Bribe the couchette car attendant if you want one to yourself. It does run late (everything in Serbia can do) so I wouldn't risk the plus onto the Sofia-Bucharest day train myself.

 

[dutchflyer]

1.there is since 2-3 years a special forumsite aimed at IRers like you: www.raildude.com. Run by 2 Germans/Austrians, who mainly aim to sell passes.
2.that eternal fear of ''full'' trains is completely unfounded-but indeed trains overthere are not up to the standard you likely expect. The route via Budapest is for Brasov certainly the better way.
3.also be aware that ANY domestic long-dist train In Romania is fully reserved-tipically also done just before travel when buying the ticket.

 

[Searle]

Thanks all for the replies. Apologies about the slow reply, I've been so busy and am just sitting down to research more.

The route via Vrsac seems to have completely contradictory information everywhere on it, so for peace of mind I'm ruling that out.

My most favourable plan at the moment is to get a day train up to Budapest (06:45 - 14:54), and then the Euronight sleeper to Brasov or Bucharest (19:10 - 09:42 or 12:10).

Thanks especially for the link to the forum, dutchflyer, it has been bookmarked!

I'll probably run into some more problems later, so expect me back! thanks so far though

 

[gordonthemoron]

The sleeper between Budapest & Bucharest is v.nice and even has a 'restaurant' car

 

[Searle]

The sleeper between Budapest & Bucharest is v.nice and even has a 'restaurant' car

Sounds very good to me!

 

[reb0118]

The sleeper between Budapest & Bucharest is v.nice and even has a 'restaurant' car

Aye, run by this man minus the chef's get up. The cook on the Ister did seriously remind me of "McBlane" the disgusting chef from Reggie Perrin - even down to the fag end hanging perilously from his lower lip.

Enjoy!

 

[gordonthemoron]

the beer and breakfast was alright. Dinner was rather limited and I was glad I'd eaten before boarding. That's why I put restaurant in inverted commas.

 

[reb0118]

That's why I put restaurant in inverted commas.

I gathered that. To be fair the meal on board was rather pleasant (and cheap), we were given a menu but there was no real choice and in the end ordered four "meals" which turned out to be a type of schnitzel with fried potatoes & salad. A few beers were of course compulsory.

To the OP I would say expect to have a meal - it does help to pass the time and you can meet some locals - but don't expect cordon bleu! Be prepared for no or limited service though. (If you take some long life provisions then they won't be wasted if you don't need them). Using the restaurant car does your bit to keep these things open.

You may find the restaurant car a bit smokey though.

 

[30907]

The route via Vrsac seems to have completely contradictory information everywhere on it, so for peace of mind I'm ruling that out.

May be wise, though the only negative I can find on a quick Google is about the one-time international service over this route being withdrawn, and there are online reports of the local trains running last summer (as well as Seat61 being pretty reliable).

Night train IC406/7 Corona is also reputedly a good experience, with a slightly older sleeper, as an alternative to the EC Ister. But I suspect part of the journey in RO is well worth covering by day, rather than 2x sleeper

If you go to this Czech site (in English!) and look under Hungary (Start is the train operator!) the formation of IC/EC/EN trains is shown pictorially and there are even interior photos of the sleepers on both

http://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/index.php?rok=2014

 

[TCDD]

I would echo previous correspondents about the 'restaurant' on the Budapest - Bucharest 'Ister'. When I travelled last May (and 2 years earlier) it was in an ex-DB restaurant car, with one half set out as a restaurant and the other as a stylish but unused stand-up bar. Anyone waiting at the bar was directed into the restaurant car, which seemed to be the main hang-out of the traincrew and had a convivial, if smoky atmosphere. On both occasions I've used the service the only other diners were also other Brits! There was certainly a menu, but it was more for show. Basically you could have what the 'chef' was cooking and that was it. First time it was a very heavily beaten steak, second time it was a schnitzel and chips. Service was not bad, with the steward even knocking on my compartment door in the morning and insisting I had breakfast (an omelette). Prices were highly negotiable, with most currencies seemingly happily accepted, and the steward was extremely willing to change any money I had into Lei, and at a decent rate.
In contrast the Corona (which I used in August to travel Budapest - Brasov), although using much older Hungarian stock, was cleaner and rather more 'professional' with a restaurant car that featured an actual menu - but even then it wasn't exactly 'pullman dining'.
All in all both routes are highly worthwhile, comfortable, and in the case of the 'Ister', not without a certain 'charm'.