Alternative travel from London to Istanbul

Take the train. http://www.seat61.com/Turkey.htm

It will be a pretty long and arduous journey. I would suggest that you try a shorter trip by overnight train first to make sure that you aren't one of those people who can't sleep at all in a moving vehicle, otherwise you'll be zombie-like when you get to Istanbul.

Thanks for your replies- it does look like a long journey. Looks like we may have to fly!

Maggie, travel by air would really be the best option, unless you'd enjoy a LONG (and probably tiring) rail journey. An EasyJet flight from LGW to Istanbul SAW would be the most cost effective choice, as I believe the only airline from LHR is British Airways (which will be more expensive). However, one point to note is that they may only have flights a few times a week, so you may have to go a few days prior to the start of your tour. Happy travels!

A train journey can be a relaxing way to travel. London-Istanbul would be best broken up into segments with a stop or two at interesting places such as Salzburg or Budapest. Here's a thread from tripadvisor which includes a Paris, Rome, Athens route. Unless time is a factor, there's no need to go straight through to Istanbul; if time is a factor, then air is the best way. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293974-i368-k1354919-Traveling_to_Istanbul_via_train-Istanbul.html

Well, let's put things in perspective: a London-Istanbul train journey is NOT as much relaxing as it is long and boring.

Let me draw a comparison: a cruise trip to a handful Caribbean Islands from/to Miami might be interesting. Taking a sequence of cruises to travel from Miami to Haifa, while doable, probably is not interesting and likely not fun.

Maggie, you requested an alternative to flying, but everyone else says that's the only way to go. It's surprising to find such anti-train sentiment on Rick Steves' site. He devotes 20 pages to rail travel in Europe Through the Back Door, saying, "You can easily have dinner in Paris, sleep on the train, and have breakfast in Rome, Munich or Madrid." And under his travel tips on this site says, "Europe's great train system turns the Continent into your playground."

I had to laugh at the Miami-Haifa analogy - somewhat strained, Andre! And really, any kind of travel can be boring and tiring depending upon the particular individual and its purpose.

Train travel isn't for everyone (obviously!), but for those who have a sense of adventure, the time and can organize a multi-day trip, it's a fine way to travel long distance. I've traveled virtually the length and breadth of Europe and Great Britain on trains including Istanbul-Athens. One sees so much more that way compared to flying, arriving in the city center rested and ready to go. So I would say disregard the naysayers, do some research and decide what suits you and your traveling companions.

Here's an interesting twist: Athens-Istanbul on a ferry via one of the Cycladic Islands (Chios, Kos, Lesvos or Rhodes). http://www.greecelogue.com/getting-from-athens-to-istanbul-%E2%80%93-your-options-between-the-two-cities.html

I guess it's a matter of personal preference.
I would love to take the train- I grew up with trains, my Dad worked on British Rail. I would also love to make this journey by rail, taking a week and stopping off along the way.

However, my travelling companion is coming from the west coast of the US, and there are other things we plan to do, so I guess the train will have to wait for another adventure, as we just won't have the time on this occasion.

I really thank everyone for the time and thought put into your answers. Much appreciated, and one of the many reasons I enjoy this forum! Best wishes, Maggie