Hi! I’m ending a cruise in Athens and want to travel a bit after. I like some main attractions, but also enjoy small towns and off the beaten path places/sights. I am thinking of taking a second week or so to travel up to Berlin/Potsdam via train (open to other transport). I like the route through Bulgaria and Hungary better than Italy because I have not been to them, but have to Italy. Ideas of itineraries, timetables, etc? I would like to be budget conscious, but not overboard. This will be mid-July. Thanks!
Posted by
Irving
3277 posts
Easyjet has a nonstop flight for < $100 and Aegean < $150. Be sure you research their checked baggage fees.
I don’t see any train routes that travel through Bulgaria and Hungary. One thing to keep in mind is that most train tracks do not route through scenic vistas. What you do see is plenty of poverty and lots of grass and trees. Country sides often times look the same as back home.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1127 posts
There are normally trains from Thessaloniki to Sofia, Skopje and Belgrade, but those seem to be suspended at the moment (https://www.trainose.gr/en/passenger-activity/international-services/international-railway-services/).
Posted by
Oregon
270 posts
You may not be packing light for the cruise. But you probably want to be light for the following week. So, think about what you can ship home from Athens.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks! I live in the US, so not going to ship anything, but plan to pack light. Also, more interested in travel by land. Anyone know how to rent a car from Athens to Berlin, but not have to return the car to the same place?
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
That is certainly possible. From Thessaloniki to Vienna you have a couple of different options. The fastest is usually through North Macedonia and Serbia but the route via Bulgaria and Romania is also an option. The problem is from Thessaloniki to Sofia which at the moment requires a taxi ride across the border. But apart from that it shouldn't be that hard. And the view are not that bad, it's not just poverty and trees.
If it was my trip it would probably look something like this: Athens-Thessaloniki-Sofia-Bucharest-Budapest-Vienna-Berlin. But you can also add stops in Cluj-Napoca, Brno or other towns along the way.
As always, www.seat61.com is a good start.
Renting a car in Greece and returning it in Athens will probably cost a small fortune. Remember, you have to pay for the cost of sending the car back to Greece once you return it.
Posted by
San Francisco
15020 posts
This sounds like a good ride. If you are not under a pressing time constraint, I suggest breaking up this long route which is what I would do if I had this trip.
The rental car is not an option, no need for that.
Fly to Budapest from Athens if such a flight is convenient to you, or take the train.. Spend a night or two in Budapest.
Then take the night train Budapest to Berlin Hbf.