Türkiye sits at the meeting point of continents, where the Bosphorus strait slices Europe from Asia and centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history are written in domes, minarets, and mosaics. This itinerary turns the journey itself into an adventure: rail your way through Transylvania’s Carpathian landscapes, cross Bulgaria’s fortress towns and Roman theaters, then sweep into Istanbul before continuing to Cappadocia and the Turquoise Coast.

Expect good-value trains and buses, hearty cooking, and hikes that start right from town. In Türkiye, you’ll wander the Grand Bazaar, trace Silk Road valleys, and cool off in the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz. Street food, family-run lokantas, and guesthouses keep costs low while delivering flavor and local character.

Practical notes: carry a little cash for kiosks and small eateries, and check if you need Türkiye’s e-Visa before arrival. Interrail/rail passes cover many segments but often require seat reservations; buses can be faster and cheaper on some routes. Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) mean mild weather for hiking and fewer crowds.

Brasov (Transylvania)

Days 1–3: Gothic skylines, mountain hikes, and Saxon fortresses

Brasov’s medieval core is framed by the Carpathians—pastel townhouses, the 15th‑century Black Church, and council square buskers under the sign that reads “BRAȘOV” on Mt. Tampa. Base yourself here for castles and easy day hikes.

• Sightseeing & hikes: Climb the Mt. Tampa trail (45–60 minutes) for city views; descend by foot or cable car. Day trip to Bran Castle (the “Dracula” lore is kitschy, but the hilltop views are wonderful) and Rasnov Fortress. For hiking, try Piatra Craiului National Park (Zarnesti Gorge is a budget-friendly standout; bring snacks and water).
• Coffee & breakfast: Dr. Jekelius – Pharmacy Café for old‑apothecary vibes and layered cakes; Tipografia for specialty coffee and simple breakfast toasts.
• Lunch: La Ceaun (stews, polenta, and house pickles at fair prices); Bistro de l’Arte for soups and seasonal salads in a cozy setting.
• Dinner: Sergiana (Transylvanian classics—smoked pork knuckle, bean soups in bread bowls); grab chimney cakes from a street stand to end the night.
• Budget stays: Search central guesthouses and apartments on VRBO Brasov or Hotels.com Brasov. Aim for the Old Town (Piata Sfatului) or near the Tampa cable car for easy walks.

Getting to Brasov: From Central Europe hubs (Vienna/Budapest), trains take ~10–12 hours with changes; check options and reservations on Omio Trains. Buses can be cheaper and sometimes faster via Omio Buses. If flying into Romania, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com (fly into Bucharest or Sibiu, then train to Brasov).

Travel to Bucharest (Day 4 morning): Train Brasov→Bucharest 2.5–3 hours, ~$8–12; see Omio Trains. Buses similar time and cost via Omio Buses.

Bucharest

Days 4–5: Belle Époque avenues, hidden gardens, and hearty cuisine

Bucharest mixes grand boulevards with leafy courtyards and a creative cafe scene. Old Town’s Lipscani lanes are busy, but the City’s museums and parks round out a budget-friendly stop.

• Top sights: Snap the monumental Palace of Parliament from outside (guided tours book ahead), stroll the CEC Palace, and wander Herastrau Park around the lake at sunset.
• Coffee & breakfast: Origo (third‑wave coffee benchmark) and M60 (Scandi‑leaning bites).
• Lunch: La Mama for ciorba (sour soup) and sarmale (cabbage rolls) on a budget.
• Dinner: Caru’ cu Bere (Neo‑Gothic beer hall since 1899; book early) or Hanu’ lui Manuc in a 19th‑century inn courtyard—both serve traditional plates at fair prices.
• Where to stay: Check VRBO Bucharest and Hotels.com Bucharest. Old Town is lively; the Armenian Quarter and Dorobanti are quieter with good transit.

Travel to Veliko Tarnovo (Day 6 morning): Bus 3.5–4.5 hours, ~$15–22 via Omio Buses. Trains take ~6–7 hours with changes via Omio Trains.

Veliko Tarnovo

Day 6: Bulgaria’s medieval capital on the Yantra River

Veliko Tarnovo clings to amphitheater hills, crowned by the restored Tsarevets Fortress. It’s compact, affordable, and a lovely pause between capitals.

• Must-do: Walk the castle walls of Tsarevets, then the Gurko Street balconies for river views. Time your evening for the Sound & Light show on fortress nights (seasonal).
• Eat & drink: Shtastlivetsa (modern Bulgarian, big portions), Ego Pizza & Grill (budget-friendly terrace over the river), and Hadji Nikoli Inn for a historic courtyard meal. Grab a coffee and banitsa from a local bakery on ul. Stefan Stambolov.
• Stays: Compare guesthouses near Samovodska Charshiya on VRBO Veliko Tarnovo or Hotels.com Veliko Tarnovo.

Travel to Plovdiv (Day 7 morning): Bus ~3.5 hours, ~$12–18 via Omio Buses. Trains are slower (5–6 hours) via Omio Trains.

Plovdiv

Day 7: Roman theater, Kapana creative district, and Thracian echoes

One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Plovdiv layers a Roman theater atop a hill, Ottoman houses in the Old Town, and the lively Kapana district for street art and cafes.

• Top sights: Visit the Roman Theater of Philippopolis and wander the cobbled Old Town mansions. Climb one of the seven hills (Nebet Tepe) for sunset.
• Coffee & lunch in Kapana: Dwell Coffee House for pour-overs, Pavaj for modern Bulgarian share plates; budget bites at Skapto (burgers) or a banitsa bakery on ul. Abadzhiyska.
• Dinner: Hemingway near the main street for hearty mains; or Rahat Tepe for classic grills and a panoramic terrace.
• Stays: Old Town guesthouses and Kapana apartments via VRBO Plovdiv and Hotels.com Plovdiv.

Overnight to Türkiye (Depart Day 7 night, arrive Day 8): Plovdiv→Istanbul night train ~10–11 hours, couchette ~$35–45 via Omio Trains, or bus ~7–8 hours, ~$25–30 via Omio Buses. You’ll clear border checks en route; keep passport and e‑Visa handy.

Istanbul

Days 8–12: Empires, bazaars, ferries, and budget eats along the Bosphorus

Istanbul is a city of layers—Byzantine basilicas under Ottoman domes, ferry horns, and the scent of simit drifting along the Bosphorus. Base in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu depending on whether you want old-world sights or cafe‑filled side streets.

• Essential sights: Pair the monumental trio—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace—with a wander through the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Cross to Asia by ferry for Kadıköy’s markets and murals.
• Budget-friendly experiences: Ride the public Bosphorus ferry up to Anadolu Kavağı and picnic by the water. Walk Istiklal Avenue to Galata Tower at dusk, then down to Karaköy for baklava.
• Coffee & breakfast: Mandabatmaz (famously thick Turkish coffee), Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir (east‑Anatolian breakfast spreads), and Namlı Gurme Karaköy for a build‑your‑own plate.
• Lunch: Sultanahmet Köftecisi (iconic meatballs), Şehzade Cağ Kebap near Sirkeci (skewered Erzurum‑style lamb), and cheap, delicious balık ekmek (fish sandwiches) by the Galata Bridge.
• Dinner: Hop to Kadıköy’s Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian dishes on a budget; in Beyoğlu, try a classic meyhane like Asmalı Cavit for meze and grilled fish (split plates to save). Dessert at Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava since 1949).
• Where to stay (budget to splurge): Cheers Hostel (social and central, great for low budgets); Sirkeci Mansion in Eminönü (warm service, steps from ferries); for a treat, Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul or Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. Also browse Hotels.com Istanbul.

Travel onward (Day 13 morning): Istanbul→Cappadocia (Göreme). Cheapest: overnight bus 10–12 hours, ~$20–35; compare on Omio Buses. Faster: flight (IST/SAW→NEV/ASR) ~1.5 hours, often $40–90 promos via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com plus shared shuttle to Göreme.

Göreme (Cappadocia)

Days 13–15: Fairy chimneys, valley hikes, and sunrise balloons (on a budget)

Cappadocia’s surreal tuff formations and cave dwellings beg to be explored on foot. Even without a balloon ride, sunrise vantage points when the sky fills with balloons are unforgettable—and free.

• Hikes: Red & Rose Valleys (sunset glow, 2–3 hours), Love Valley (unique spires, 2 hours), and Pigeon Valley (Uçhisar–Göreme, 2–3 hours). Wear good shoes; carry water.
• Low-cost sights: Uçhisar Castle (small fee, huge panorama), free viewpoints at Sunset Point in Göreme. Consider the Göreme Open-Air Museum (rock-cut churches with frescoes; modest entry fee).
• Eat & drink: Cafe Şafak (breakfast menemen and strong coffee), Nazar Börek (savory pastries), Topdeck Cave Restaurant (intimate, reserve early; share meze to keep costs down), and Organic Cave Kitchen for clay-pot kebabs.
• Stays (cave comfort at various budgets): Shoestring Cave House (budget-friendly with a pool), Kelebek Special Cave Hotel (beloved terraces), Sultan Cave Suites (famous rooftop views), or splurge at Museum Hotel or Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia.

Travel to the coast (Day 16 early or overnight Day 15): Göreme→Fethiye/Oludeniz by overnight bus ~10–12 hours, ~$20–30 via Omio Buses. Flight option: Kayseri (ASR)→Dalaman (DLM) sometimes via Istanbul, ~3–5 hours total, often $70–120 on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Oludeniz (Fethiye)

Days 16–18: Blue Lagoon beach time and Lycian Way day hikes

On Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast, Oludeniz offers calm, postcard‑blue water and trailheads for the Lycian Way. It’s easy to mix lazy beach days with cliff-top views and cool pine forests.

• Beach time: Spend a morning at the Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı)—arrive early for shade and budget sunbed options, or spread a towel on the public side for free.
• Hikes: From Hisarönü, follow the Lycian Way to Kayaköy (abandoned Greek village; haunting and beautiful) and continue to Ölüdeniz via forested trails (allow 3–4 hours, carry water). For dramatic views, bus to Faralya and walk to the Butterfly Valley viewpoint (the descent to the beach is steep; view from above is safer).
• Budget bites: In Fethiye town, Mozaik Bahçe (Antioch cuisine, shareable plates), Paşa Kebap (great value grills), and Baba Fırın (breads/pastries for picnic lunches). In Oludeniz beachfront, Buzz Beach Bar or Jade Terrace for sunset drinks—stick to meze to keep costs down.
• Coffee & breakfast: Start with simit from a bakery and Turkish tea; for sit‑down, look for gözleme stalls along the promenade or cafes in Hisarönü for full Turkish breakfast platters.
• Where to stay: Budget-friendly Tonoz Beach Hotel (steps from the beach) or Sun City Hotel & Beach Club (good value with pools). If you decide to splurge on resort amenities, Liberty Hotels Lykia sits on a stunning private cove.

Departures (Day 18 evening or Day 19): For onward travel, bus Oludeniz/Fethiye→Dalaman Airport ~1 hour, then flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Overland back to Istanbul is ~12–14 hours by bus via Omio Buses.

Budget snapshot and timing

With a budget of 17/100, lean on trains/buses, overnight routes, and shared plates. Daily averages per person can land around $45–65 excluding long-distance travel: $15–25 meals (street food/lokantas), $15–25 accommodation (hostel/guesthouse), and $5–15 local transit/entries. Splurge once—perhaps a Cappadocia balloon—or swap it for more meze and ferry rides.

Optional add-ons or swaps

• Short on time? Skip Bucharest day 5 and add a day to Cappadocia for extra hiking.
• Beach upgrade? Replace Oludeniz with Antalya and check White Garden Hotel (budget), Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, or Rixos Premium Belek.
• Bosphorus-side stay? Consider Ajia Hotel or Fuat Paşa Yalısı in Arnavutköy for a traditional waterside “yali” feel.

From storybook Transylvania to the minarets of Istanbul, this route layers culture, castles, and coastlines without breaking the bank. You’ll hike valleys, savor Turkish street food, and end with your feet in the Aegean—an Interrail journey as memorable as the destination.