Paris to Istanbul in 55 Hours: The Ultimate Night Train Experience

[@SimplyRailway]

Hi folks, I finally made the switch to universal subtitles, so you can now enjoy my videos in the language of your choice. This is a test for now, and it's still unclear if I will keep this style, but if more people can enjoy my videos without needing to learn English, that would be a plus! Enjoy! :-) Thibault

[@ministerievanstudiecollege5788]

I feel like this is a great idea! Though the lack of hard captions may make it easier for people to steal clips, so you could put a transparent watermark somewhere at all times. Also, some of the captions are a bit long, which makes the text small on mobile and hard to read.

[@youssef-way]

Good idea! For those of you that don't know: you can adjust the subtitle style (size, text/background color and opacity, etc.) in the settings under the section "Subtitles" -> "Options" (top right corner). :)

[@marcogeurts9881]

I notice in the dutch subtitle that when you see the attendant by the seat car that it says stoelauto instead of Zitrijtuig and motor instead of Loc and Bifrequentiemotoren instead of bifrequentlocomotives😅 sorry

[@jaykirschenbaum7467]

Looks good, but I didn't realize it until about half way through the video. Perhaps a note at the beginning until people get used to it.

[@crabtonia]

A vocal narrration is so much more entertaining in English ( or French)...the Visuals are superb, as always...dgp/uk

[@WaiferThyme]

Being a wheelchair user, i will never be able to take this trip so being able to see it through your eyes is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it.

[@LS-Moto]

To my knowledge, they have wheelchair ramps to get onto these trains

[@barvdw]

@@LS-Moto yeah, but you'd still want to be able to move about, if only to go to the toilet. Maybe the Nightjet, but I would doubt that the EN Dacia and Bosfor have a handicapped compartment or accessible toilet. It would make travelling by train perhaps not entirely impossible, but definitely a lot more challenging.

[@LS-Moto]

@@barvdw Fair point, but isn't that no different on a bus or plane?

[@barvdw]

@@LS-Moto Buses: yes. Planes: flights rarely take as long, so you might be able to hold it in for an hour or 2, and they will assist you to get on and off in most cases. Not ideal, but still. Which is why it would be a good thing if they made trains more accessible in SE Europe. In Czechia for instance, almost all trains are equipped with lifts, there's a separate compartment for people in wheelchairs, right next to the accessible toilet. If there's catering, they'll bring it to the compartment. Trains can really gain an advantage, here.

[@correctionguy7632]

@@LS-Moto I would imagine it would be difficult to go through those hallways, just see how tight they are.

[@shamimulhasan3287]

Excellent video. I was in France in 1976. I was young and adventurous and wanted to take this journey. Travelling to Eastern European countries was not easy during those days. Now at 77 years of frail age, I traveled with you on this cherished route and fulfilled my dream. Thnx

[@daffyduk77]

Impressive. Unless you get the use of a shower, having a proper wash using the tiny washbasins is no laughing matter at our age. You end up with soapy water all over the floor & it takes three times as long

[@paristen8556]

I'm 77 and still taking these trips! Never stop!

[@agussetiawan7511]

Saya orang indonesia. Mimpi bisa bepergian keliling eropa dengan kereta api. Dan sekarang saya dapat sedikit pengalaman lewat video ini. Terima kasih

[@jandroniol]

I am pleased to see that trains are finally going to Istanbul city (even if it is not the centre) and not to a village miles away. Now we can truly say that there are trains from Paris to Istanbul!!

[@emmanuelferrer-laloe578]

Merci de nous faire voyager avec vous. Ce fut un bien agréable voyage, sans bouger de chez moi (j'ai 76 ans).

[@metegokce697]

I would prefer one train, with shower, rather than all those separate trains without. You should try the Doğu Ekspresi (East express) between Ankara and Kars in the winter. It is incredible. Unfortunately it has no showers either.

[@juliam2222]

I did this trip this month starting in Vienna! It is a long journey but I am glad I did it! Also from a female perspective, I had a 6 person compartment for Vienna-Bucharest and a 4 person compartment from Bucharest to Istanbul. Mainly because nothing else was available when I booked. Both times I was travelling with all males. Both times I had no problems at all, all of them were nice guys and we had good conversations throughout. I travel with nighttrains in Europe a lot and book the female compartments if available. But I would still make this trip like this again, I felt safe. 😊 Of course, you never know who you are going to meet, but on this occasion and from what I saw in the rest of the train I felt very welcome and safe.

[@xr6lad]

So you enjoyed travelling as in a school camp room. Thats hardly travel. In fact it’s something I’d expect in a 3rd world country. 6 bed room? 4 bed room? With strangers.

[@juliam2222]

@@xr6lad To me, meeting different people of different backgrounds and countries and having conversations is a big part of what I consider travelling and seeing the world. So I don't mind sharing a cabin! But thankfully there are many transportation options nowadays, so people can choose what they like.

[@Travel-by-Train]

Nice to read your comment about traveling by train and enjoying 🍒🍒🍒

[@JeffryJoaquin]

Understood

[@shamyaprasav612]

The subtitles display lasts adequately which is not the case normally to our Annoyance . Here it is totally different . Many thanks from India . The video was very nice . 12.9.24

[@metegokce697]

Normally in Türkiye, TCDD alternates toilettes per car. That is: one car with seat-toilet and the next car with squat-toilet for people with hygiene concerns.. In this case, there was only one car...

[@scyzka1]

Sehr beeindruckend… 👍 Letztes Jahr bin ich von Narvik nach Istanbul mit dem Zug gefahren. Narvik-Stockholm-Berlin-Budapest-Bukarest-Istanbul. Ich war 5 Tage unterwegs.

[@rogertemple7193]

It's really awesome seeing Istanbul by train thank you.🚂🚃🇹🇷

[@paristen8556]

I've taken this entire trip, not in one stretch. Paris to Bucharest several times, Bucharest to Istanbul once in 2022. My Istanbul section was 6 hours late but meant that I could see western Turkey during the day. It's all magical!!!

[@johnflaherty9982]

I have done this journey twice, 2012 & 2018. A great adventure

[@scottyerkes1867]

Very interesting journey using all night trains!! Paris and Istanbul were Orient Express start/end points; not sure of cities along the route. When I was in the travel industry one of my dreams was to ride the Orient Express. Thanks Thibault for sharing your experience.🥰👌👍

[@weerwolfproductions]

orient express still exists as a very expensive charter train, not sure if it goes all the way though.

[@seved6618]

I like this style brother. Support from here! 😍

[@hbruins85]

Looks like a physically testing journey…yet one I would love to take. Especially the eastern part through Bulgaria. The squat toilet on TCDD sleeper is super clean!

[@vernongoodey5096]

Hoping to do Bucharest Nord to Istanbul next year so found this very informative thanks😊

[@sukha__8669]

Türkiye’min treni hepsinden daha temiz ve konforlu 🇹🇷

[@isatascioglu6021]

Welcome to İstanbul Türkiye 🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@FabricioRenovato]

Great video and amazing trip! Very happy that you enabled the universal subtitles, so I can train my English and French (🇧🇷 here)

[@mansoorahmed3838]

Excellent enjoyed the long trip ❤❤❤❤ Regards frm Mansoor Karachi Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@MrTransalpin]

Original route from Paris to Istanbul, in 1977( the last "direct orient train with UIC coaches and sleeping car ), transited by Switzerland Italy, Jugoslavia( replaced by Slovenja, Croatia, Sirbja, Makedonja), Belgarja, and Turkye, the train lived Paris gare de Lyon at 23 hours, and went to Lausanne, and Valais/Wallis, Simplon, and Lombardia TCCD Railways have news TAURUS lok from SIEMENS in 25 KV AC 50 Hz, however, the are little non-electrificated line during this route.

[@youssef-way]

Haha, that random yoga dude in the hall was unexpected. I love how he gave you this slight entitled look like "Can't you see I'm trying to reach Nirvana ovah here on the floor of a Nightjet?" 🤣

[@pfsantos007]

That's a dude? I just posted a similar comment above. 😁

[@tranmere292]

A touch of the Orient Express, without the luxury, but still quite an experience. By coincidence, I'm currently building the Lego Orient Express, but apart from its route from Paris to Istanbul, there's little resemblance. Still, a nice model.

[@NormanAllen-ps9ju]

I love the old noise of jointed track in Bulgaria !

[@pasjonat-azbestu]

Another awesome Balkan train experience, thank you for this video!

[@tomarmstrong1281]

This is my idea of hell on earth. I might just be persuaded if there is a private compartment. You deserve a medal.

[@SimplyRailway]

You can always book a private compartment :)

[@tomarmstrong1281]

@@SimplyRailway Thank you. There comes a point in llife when the effort is just too much. I passed that point many years ago. Your videos are very entertaining.

[@danielconrad399]

Excellent video Thibault. And good long format because you had a lot to show. Good also that you are resisting the algorithm's command to speak during videos. I watched with the captions on and off, both fine. Thanks.

[@ggreg2258]

Always fun and informative and enjoyable to watch!

[@quicktripper]

Traveling by train is always an experience! Thanks for sharing your amazing trips! 🙂

[@saschaburger7420]

I did this in 2012. Outgoing journey day 1 Kiel-Hamburg-Praha-Bratislava. Day 2 Bratislava-Budapest-Beograd (I think this day train doesnt exist anymore). Day 3 and 4 Beograd-Sofia nightrain. Day 5 and 6 Sofia-Istanbul nighttrain, but we had to use the bus from Pendik due construction work. Return journey: day 1 and 2 bus to Pendik, nightrain Pendik-Bucuresti Gara Nord. Day 3 daytrain Bucuresti Nord-Budapest. Day 4 daytrain Budapest-Home, to North Germany. Its been a magnificant experience.

[@kielerschaf]

Do you know if this journey is still possible from Kiel?

[@Julian-ck6lf]

Great video and very informative, but not for me, Air France or Turkish airlines would of completed that in a couple of hours probably for less cost too depending on booking times the train is just too much faffing about!

[@vladimirdokmanov7195]

i like this video.I was born behind rail in Sombor,Serbia and i like travell.

[@nirmalkumarsarkar2226]

I was a railway man and served the Indian railways for about 36 years in different category including running staff. And as such I am proud of Indian railways. Thanks..

[@Tinovr6]

Amazing trip. Thanks for the very nice video. I really got the feeling how it must have been.

[@andersfalck6633]

Very good video here, I really liked the extensive views of Bulgaria!

[@joseramonvalenzuelaegea6745]

Let me write in Spanish. Un viaje épico e incómodo pero muy aventurero e interesante. Hay una gran diferencia entre los trenes de Francia y Alemania y de los de Bulgaria y Rumanía con su característico sonido trac-trac de la separación entre railes. Thanks.

[@DateTwoRelate]

MRCE is a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Japan's Mitsui corporation, which specializes in electric locomotive leasing.

[@marcogeurts9881]

@@DateTwoRelate and MRCE is now beacon rail

[@sergeygankin45]

Very well done! Lovely journey and impeccable video quality to match. Keep up the great work!

[@spacedog_80]

At 8:24 it's not Danube River but River Inn. The rail track from Passau to Austria goes along the river Inn south before it turns East again towards Vienna.

[@zwerdna35]

Belle aventure!! Merci

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@SimplyRailway]

Thanks!

[@vince2mtp874]

Vidéo incroyable et grâce à la traduction je peux enfin vraiment tout comprendre (mon anglais est très très scolaire 😂), un grand bravo SimplyRailway . Je conduis des trains tous les jours mais tes vidéos me donne envie de voyager en touriste par ce transport et dans toute l’Europe !

[@MrTien]

thank you for sharing

[@Benjamin0c]

Extra les sous titres ! Magnifique vidéo 😊

[@milhaus9653]

wonderful video❤

[@AeiKei]

Even tho I enjoy trains the price for Paris-Vienna is steep, you can find airplane tickets for way cheaper and get to the destination way faster

[@gigteevee6118]

What a journey, the price is nuts!

[@NormanAllen-ps9ju]

I only saw one dining car the whole trip ; you are brave to endure this long trip !

[@weerwolfproductions]

and that one wasn't even supposed to be there!

[@barvdw]

Unfortunately, there aren't many dining cars on night trains anymore. Most trips are short enough that you can forgo them, you can board after dinner and arrive in time for breakfast in the station, but still, especially for those longer trips, at least having a little shop where you could get some supplies would be more than welcome, I agree.

[@manuelcaceres4860]

Muy buen video. Evitaría mucha descripción y solo referenciaria y comentaría hitos. Un gran abrazo y vamos por más vídeos como este.

[@ONtheTrains]

Thanks for the very nice video.

[@AG7-MTM]

Man, i really wish the Orient Express was still in service. Would have made your journey so much easier and more spectacular

[@vittoriograziano6121]

but especially more more more expensive😂

[@danbUzZ1-]

it still is in service twice a year, look it up, it's a bit expensive though.

[@Jokaw2485]

Bener2 keren kereta. Alam.pemandangannya....Top

[@Coeditor4089]

Next time, I'd love you to do Algeciras to Nordkapp (or rather the closest railway to it, with a bonus trip via bus or ship)

[@biswajitmohajan9874]

BEST. 🎉

[@Pisii-chan]

fun fact: from 21:57 till 22:36 you were on the weakest railway in Romania, at Balota hill; also at 21:13 you were showing Orșova on the other side of the river, which is not in Serbia :D

[@jeromedelaitre7261]

Ha enfin du français dans tes vidéos, bon que le sous titre ! mais c'est déjà cela ! Continu comme ça ! Peut être un de description en langue française serait un plus. Surtout que tu es français. Merci pour tes vidéos.

[@LordoftheSith247]

Love and enjoy watching all your videos

[@intersezioni]

we are waiting for Milan Nice with treni turistici italiani ❤

[@etbadaboum]

The new subtitles definitively feel less lively than before!

[@freeyourmind9751]

Ah, the good old classic Orient Express Route 👍! Too bad the direct trains are gone long time ago!

[@bogdanmiu1064]

Superb video ! toate tarile frumoase , dar cand a intrat in romania se stia absolut absolut daca nu citeai si statiile ! Frumos clip si interesant !

[@muhammadsarwar2826]

Good 👍 And informative video but no briefing commentary for viewers. Thanks 👍 Good Luck 💯.

[@kevinellis8869]

Thanks for another exciting trip. Despite the relative comfort the last leg looked hard work. I still can't believe your publishers can't or won't produce an English version of your book, they're missing out on the UK/US/Can market where I'm sure you've got plenty of subscribers only too ready to purchase a copy.

[@czechmatebro]

Not only in English speaking countries, but also elsewhere, English is the main language of the world. As a Czech I'd gladly buy it if it was an option.

[@simonpilk]

The showers NEVER work in a CFR sleeper. I have had 2 deluxe sleepers and neither had better than a trickle of cold water.

[@CalinFR]

Unfortunately you are correct

[@kenchaidian6354]

Thanks brother. I enjoy it.

[@johnlemke7298]

Nice video. Makes me want to take that trip.

[@Trent-Bakerloo]

Excellent video Thibault ! Love from your british neighbours 😅❤

[@eurocopter2fred]

It's not the same price as the VSOE Venice, Simplon, Orient Express: PARIS ISTANBUL Duration: 6 days 5 nights Venice Simplon Orient Express Price: from €20,200 Historic Cabin from €20,200 Suite from €43,900 Grand Suite from €67,000 to €71,400 Plus with a Pacific 241 P, it would be a must. Normally in 2023 Siemens will confirm the Vectron Multi system locomotives, but apparently a TRAXX 185 AC2 is still present, which implies a change of Locomotive until Vienna

[@erichwiedl8111]

😅

[@danbUzZ1-]

this footage is from 2022

[@barvdw]

That's very specifically the VSOE train, the Venice Simplon Orient Express, which is a subsidiary of Belmond, I believe. But until 2009(!), the night train that ran between Vienna and Strasbourg (and before that Paris) was called the Orient Express...

[@danbUzZ1-]

Yep, true ​@@barvdw

[@denniscoffey1247]

Halkali Station doesn't have any food services so if you need provisions for the train be sure to visit Yassi Donner, located 1km north of the station. Salih and Nurten will take very good care of you!

[@futureyou159]

As someone who travels night trains across Europe a lot and lives in Istanbul, trust me: take the Bucharest-Istanbul leg by bus instead. Way better experience!

[@gaxnemo6833]

Re. "Don't tell the US" at 23:34 . Too late, they're already there. 🙃 BTW, i like your new style with subtitles. But next time, please show the food before you eat. It's a nice part of a good train journey.

[@SimplyRailway]

Thanks! I have the food footage, but on another device and I've completely forgot to show the food... You can watch it on the Vienna to Bucharest video :-)

[@rezaalan3991]

What a great trip.

[@boldissilviusilviu7899]

12:14 Stop 😂

[@luizrsimoes]

Hi there! I really enjoy your description of the trip. I’m planning one like this. But where I can find all informations, not been a expertise like you? I will be doing the trip stopping in numerous cities. Greetings from Florianópolis (Brasil)!

[@sannertome]

Im thinking about the movie Eurotrip! Buongiorno 😂

[@HSVsince-gm8cm]

Fantastic!!

[@daffyduk77]

great video thanks

[@youssef-way]

03:09 The famous 'Parisian welcome'.🤣

[@davidwebb4904]

Or Pegasus, 3 hours, €20.

[@fazeljigry4896]

So nice and clen train i like it thanks.

[@javad1954]

خیلی خوب بود متشکرم.

[@nusantararail]

Excelent journey... 😮

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Looking forward to seeing this thibault, quick question, can you adapt to your fellow passengers when sharing a couchette or would someone snoring bother you, I’m a poor sleeper and any noise like snoring would make me feel edgy, ps liked the livery of the engine on the first leg from Paris, great post 😊 still prefer you talking though the subtitles are ok, outstanding thibault watched right to the end thanks for taking us with you

[@josephr9551]

Nice adventure Thibault but I'll arrive exhausted after enduring one passport control after another.

[@justus1573]

24:31 What a handsome hunk!😍

[@trackconnection2013]

Absolutely wonderful trip. Since you can't go to Russia anymore it might be one of the longest in Europe by now. Maybe you can extend it to Portugal - Iran-something

[@sitiambariyah5861]

In europe ,3 nights we cross more than 3 countries.meanwhile in indonesia 5 nights we stuck only in one country only cross the island.

[@boldissilviusilviu7899]

Salut Simply .De ce nu încerci să faci mai multe rute din Romania 🇷🇴 pe diferite trenuri.Avem și altele .Sunt din Romania/Bucharest.Vei vedea niste zone minunate cu trenul .

[@robertheinrich2994]

14:18 just to ask: has anyone ever told you, that one floor below where you filmed, there is the best meat loaf available. leberkas pepi. you could add gastronomy reviews for railway stations. and leberkas pepi is wonderfully tasty ;-) my favorite: käseroni. chili, cheese, and it's made with horse meat.

[@vaddiparthyyyogeswara6921]

Very good showings

[@alinawojczyk1448]

Esplendido solo falta o era donde es cada lugar en letras ...🎉

[@marianmauritz8322]

Nice Video

[@liamlilly3607]

Is your book about night trains getting an English translation? Would love to buy one if it does. As ever great video. It was because of you that i took the night train between Malmo and Hamburg last may. Loved it and wish to do more in the future.

[@bluegardenya]

fiyatlarıda yazarmısın..mesela bu paris istanbul turu kaç lira..

[@jfmezei]

At 26:36 Gratuitous product placement for your book Trains de Nuit 🙂 Edit: this comnent was made with first watch of your video devoid of any commentary.

[@1903A3shooter]

THAT was fun, Dave in Va.

[@takeoffwithzafar]

From Paris to Istanbul, can we break journey in every country for couple of days? Thank you 💐

[@Alex_R88]

мне казалось, что в европе быстрые и современные поезда, а они еще и опаздывают... штош..

[@rajendran5042]

Isn't there only the same train and compartment from Paris to Istanbul? If not does the quality differ every country?

[@samtrak1204]

Nightjet exterior looks unwashed and dusty but the ride seems smooth and quiet.