11 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,999
Escorted tour
Budapest to Istanbul: Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria – 14 Days
Overland through four countries and four capitals, from Budapest's baths to Transylvania's castles and Istanbul's bazaars.
14 days
From £3,129
Tour overview
This 14-day small-group journey travels overland from the Danube to the Bosphorus, through four countries and four capital cities. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with an experienced local tour leader throughout and local guides for city walks. You travel by air-conditioned minibus and stay in comfortable, well-located hotels, locally owned where possible, for 13 nights. Breakfast is included daily, with a welcome dinner, two lunches and a farewell dinner, plus group airport transfers at set times in Budapest and Istanbul.
Budapest, split by the Danube into historic Buda and lively Pest, starts the trip with a guided walk and a free afternoon for the thermal baths. Heading north-east, you visit the World Heritage village of Hollókő, known for its Palóc folk culture, the baroque city of Eger and a cellar in the Tokaj region for a tasting of Hungary's famous sweet wine.
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Crossing into Romania, two nights in the Maramureș region reveal a rural way of life that has barely changed in a century, with tall wooden churches, carved gates and villages that keep their own dress and customs. A scenic drive through Transylvania stops at Sighișoara, the walled medieval town where Vlad the Impaler was born, before Brașov and a tour of Peleș Castle, a fairytale royal palace in the Carpathian Mountains. In Bucharest, a local expert leads a walk past the vast Palace of the Parliament and the old town.
South of the Danube in Bulgaria, you explore Veliko Tarnovo, the hilltop capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire above the Yantra River, take an orientation walk through Sofia's markets and cafés, and see the Roman theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest cities. The journey ends in Istanbul, where a local guide shows you the Sultanahmet area, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapı Palace before a farewell dinner.
The physical rating is low, with walking in towns and some long drives. This trip suits travellers who want to see the lesser-known corners of south-east Europe in comfort, ending in one of the world's great cities. Most hotels are in walking distance of the old towns.
Trip highlights
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A guided walk in Budapest and the village of Hollókő (Days 2–3)
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A wine tasting in a Tokaj cellar (Day 4)
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The wooden churches of Maramureș (Day 5)
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Sighișoara and Peleș Castle in Transylvania (Days 6–7)
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Veliko Tarnovo and Roman Plovdiv in Bulgaria (Days 9–11)
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Istanbul's Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapı Palace (Day 13)
Your route
14 stops from Budapest to Istanbul
- Budapest Days 1–2
- Hollókő Day 3
- Eger Day 3
- Tokaj Day 4
- Maramureș Days 4–5
- Săpânța (Merry Cemetery) Day 5
- Sighișoara Day 6
- Brașov Day 6
- Peleș Castle Day 7
- Bucharest Days 7–8
- Veliko Tarnovo Day 9
- Sofia Day 10
- Plovdiv Day 11
- Istanbul Days 12–14
Why choose this tour
Four countries and four capitals overland, with a local leader and guides. Rural Romania and Bulgaria's ancient cities, rarely seen on a single trip.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want to go beyond western Europe
- History lovers, from the Romans to the Ottomans
- Food and wine enthusiasts
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
Day-by-day itinerary
14 days from Budapest, Hungary to Istanbul, Turkey
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Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest
Meet your leader and group in Hungary's capital for a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel Dormero or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Budapest Budapest
A guided walking tour of Budapest, then a free afternoon for the thermal baths or the Danube.
- Hotel
- Hotel Dormero or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Hollókő, Eger Hollókő to Eger
Visit the World Heritage village of Hollókő and its castle on the way to baroque Eger.
- Hotel
- Hotel Unicornis or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Tokaj, Maramureș Tokaj to Maramureș
Taste sweet tokaji wine in a cellar, then cross into Romania's Maramureș region.
- Hotel
- Hotel Gradina Morii or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 5 · Maramureș Rural Maramureș
Explore wooden churches and traditional villages where old customs and crafts live on.
- Hotel
- Hotel Gradina Morii or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 6 · Sighișoara, Brașov Sighișoara to Brașov
Cross Transylvania to the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, and continue to Brașov.
- Hotel
- Casa Wagner or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Peleș Castle, Bucharest Peleș Castle to Bucharest
Tour the fairytale Peleș Castle in the Carpathians, then drive to Bucharest.
- Hotel
- Hotel Central by Zeus or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest Old Town Bucharest
A guided walk past the Palace of the Parliament and through Bucharest's old town.
- Hotel
- Hotel Central by Zeus or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo
Cross the Danube into Bulgaria to the hilltop medieval capital of Veliko Tarnovo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Panorama or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Sofia Sofia
An orientation tour of Sofia's markets, cafés and street art.
- Hotel
- Art Hotel 158 or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Plovdiv Plovdiv
A guided tour of Plovdiv, including the Roman theatre of Philippopolis.
- Hotel
- Hotel Hello or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Istanbul To Istanbul
Cross into Turkey and drive to Istanbul on the Bosphorus.
- Hotel
- Hotel Manesol Galata or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace Istanbul
A guided tour of Istanbul's highlights, followed by a farewell dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel Manesol Galata or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 14 · Istanbul Trip ends in Istanbul
The trip ends after breakfast, with a group airport transfer at a set time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Budapest (2 nights) Hotel Dormero or similar
- Eger (1 night) Hotel Unicornis or similar
- Maramureș (2 nights) Hotel Gradina Morii or similar
- Brașov (1 night) Casa Wagner or similar
- Bucharest (2 nights) Hotel Central by Zeus or similar
- Veliko Tarnovo (1 night) Hotel Panorama or similar
- Sofia (1 night) Art Hotel 158 or similar
- Plovdiv (1 night) Hotel Hello or similar
- Istanbul (2 nights) Hotel Manesol Galata or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 13 nights in comfortable hotels
- Meals 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- Transport air-conditioned minibus throughout
- Guided walks in Budapest, Bucharest, Plovdiv and Istanbul
- A Tokaj cellar visit and tasting, and visits to Hollókő, Sighișoara and Peleș Castle
- Group airport transfers on arrival and departure, at set times
- Local tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Budapest and from Istanbul
- Meals not listed
- Entrance fees inside the Istanbul monuments
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want to stay in one place — hotels change most nights
- You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want time on the coast — this route is inland
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,129 per person, twin share, tour only. 6 upcoming departures.
18 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,349pp
Single from £4,264
09 May 2027
Twin share
£3,349pp
Single from £4,264
06 Jun 2027
Twin share
£3,349pp
Single from £4,264
12 Sep 2027
Twin share
£3,349pp
Single from £4,264
10 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,349pp
Single from £4,264
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How do we travel?
By air-conditioned minibus throughout, with some long drives between countries.
What are the hotels like?
Comfortable, well-located hotels, locally owned where possible, with private bathrooms.
Do we go inside the Istanbul sights?
The guided tour views the main landmarks from outside. Entrance to the Topkapı Palace and other monuments can be bought during free time.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes, one group transfer on arrival in Budapest and one on departure from Istanbul, at set times.
Do I need visas?
UK passport holders do not need a visa for Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria or Turkey for short stays. Check the latest FCDO advice.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a local tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary