Already my journey to Turkey is an adventure. It begins at the Berlin train station, where I board the ICE to Vienna and make a transfer to the night train to Bucharest.

I had purchased a ticket for the night train from Vienna to Bucharest four weeks in advance. The train departs from Vienna daily at 19:42 and arrives in Bucharest the next day at 15:05.

If you need more information about the train, you can find it here:

Night Train from Vienna to Bucharest
Travelogue: Vienna to Bucharest night train

After spending a night in Bucharest, I head back to the train station and catch a train to Plovdiv. Initially, I take a regional train to the border town of Russe. The train resembles a typical German regional train, albeit a bit outdated.

Upon reaching the border crossing in Russe, the Romanian border police collects all passengers’ passports. The process takes around 30 minutes before the journey resumes. On the Bulgarian side, the same procedure repeats itself. Here, the Bulgarian border police also collect all passports, and you have to wait until yours is returned.

Once I retrieve my passport, I change trains in Russe and continue my journey to Plovdiv. Since train tickets in Bulgaria are incredibly affordable, I opted for first class. However, expectations should be managed accordingly. The first-class compartment consists of two facing benches with a total of six seats. The trains themselves may be a bit dirty and outdated, but they do have power outlets, and you can open the windows to feel the breeze.

More information about trains in Bulgaria

I arrived in Plovdiv at night and have a three-hour layover at the train station before boarding a night bus to Istanbul. Typically, there is also a night train from Bucharest to Istanbul, but it only operates from June onwards. Flixbus offers a daily direct connection from Plovdiv to Istanbul.

Please note: The information provided is subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the train and bus schedules and book your tickets in advance.

Istanbul captivated me from the moment I arrived. It truly is an enormous city. I decided to take the subway to reach my hostel located on the Asian side of Istanbul. The Hush Hostel is situated in the vibrant and trendy district of Kadiköy. While there may not be as many famous landmarks in this area, it offers a more relaxed atmosphere away from the bustling crowds. Additionally, it’s conveniently located near the Söğütlüçeşme train station, making it an ideal starting point for my journey the following day.

Unfortunately, there is no direct train connection from Istanbul to Side. To reach Side by train, I first took a train to Konya. The train journey from Istanbul to Konya usually takes around 4 hours and 50 minutes, with ticket prices averaging around 12 Euros.

From Konya, I have to switch to a bus to reach Manavgat. I recently booked my bus tickets online through FlixBus. Do not look for a green Flixbus, the most busses are blue and operated by the comapny Kamil Koç. The bus ride takes approximately 4 hours and takes me through picturesque snow-covered mountains until I finally arrive in Manavgat. After I reached the Manavgat bus station, I took a taxi to my hotel in Side. 

Side is a popular resort on the Turkish Riviera. There I spend time on the beach, explore the old town and ancient ruins. In March, unfortunately, it is not yet warm enough to swim. But most of the time the sun is shining and I enjoyed walking along the beach.

My accommodation in Side: Nar Apart Hotel

To get from Side to Antalya, I took a cab from the hotel to Manavgat bus station. From there I took the bus to Antalya. The bus is a very cheap option to travel from Side to Antalya. You can buy your ticket at the bus station.

I instantly fell in love with Antalya and felt right at home. The stunning turquoise sea, accompanied by the majestic backdrop of mountains, welcomed me with open arms. I found a charming accommodation in the historic old town that provided a comfortable space for me to work.

One of the highlights of Antalya is its incredible food scene, offering delicious meals at affordable prices. During my visit, it happened to be the month of Ramadan. In the park, a bustling bazaar was set up, featuring a variety of shops and food stalls. I took this opportunity to indulge in various Turkish delicacies, savoring the flavors and immersing myself in the vibrant atmosphere.

My accommodation in Antalya: House of Good Things