A Backpacker’s Guide to Exploring Eastern Europe by Train
Eastern Europe is filled with popular destinations for backpackers, and there are tons of great hostels to choose from while traveling. Making things even easier and more accessible is Eastern Europe’s rail system. To help navigate, we’ve created a backpacker’s guide to exploring Eastern Europe by train.
Where to Start: Prague, Czechia
There are several cities to choose from when it comes to beginning your exploration of Eastern Europe by train. One popular choice is beginning in Prague, Czechia. With a rich architectural heritage, a vibrant culture, loads of art, and a pedestrian-friendly layout, Prague is the perfect place to begin your backpacking trip through Eastern Europe. From its charming narrow streets, picturesque church towers, and plethora of cafes and restaurants, Prague is somewhere you can spend several days and still not scratch the surface. The main train station, which is the largest passenger railway station in the Czech Republic, is also conveniently located in the city center, near Wenceslas Square. The historic railway station is also accessible from metro line C. Before hopping on the train, there are several shops and food vendors to choose from in the station.
Up Next: Budapest, Hungary
One of the most charming cities in all of Europe, Budapest is one city that shouldn’t be missed when traveling Eastern Europe by train. The train ride from Prague to Budapest is roughly 7 hours, but can be done without making any transfers. Once arriving in Budapest, hop on a boat and cruise down the River Danube. The city itself boasts a simple but efficient system of subways, trams, and buses for getting around once you drop your bags at one of its many great hostels and begin to explore on foot. From the Buda Castle (also known as the Royal Palace) to the historic Heroes’ Square, Budapest has several iconic attractions that illustrate its rich history and cultural identity.
After That: Braşov, Romania
With several departures throughout the day and into the night, the train ride from Budapest to Braşov is one that is worth doing. The night train, especially, is a popular choice for backpackers who want to experience the mystique of traveling by train throughout the night and arriving somewhere completely new in the morning. There are sleeper cabins available on the night train, some of which come with a bathroom and shower. Also, there is a restaurant carriage on the night train, which takes away the stress of eating before a long train ride. The ride itself typically takes 14 hours, with a stop at Hungarian customs in between. Once in Braşov, as a backpacker, you’ll find a beautiful mountain town that dates back to the 13th century. One of Romania’s most picturesque cities, Braşov is a colorful and walkable town that can be explored easily on foot.
Last Stop: Burgas, Bulgaria
From Braşov, there are several routes you can take. Whether you want to head back through Budapest and go to Split, Croatia, or keep heading southeast to explore Bulgaria, there are a few popular train routes to follow. In Burgas, Bulgaria, you’ll find a popular party spot for young travelers and a coastal gem that can be the perfect place to finish up a long string of travels. Being on the Black Sea, Burgas is picturesque and has several great beaches for relaxing. There are also mud baths to enjoy and short day trips to different islands that you can reach by boat. The town itself is walkable and also has a lot of great hikes, as well as tons of restaurants, bars,, and cafes.
