London to Tehran by Rail

Imagine the opportunity to experience a whole slew of the world's most iconic cities. This epic 40-day journey will have you breezing by rail from London, southward and eastward through France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, to underexplored Iran and the doorstep of the Persian Empire. History-lovers, culture-fanatics, and people-watchers alike won't want this adventure to end.

Day 1 London
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 London/Paris
Board the famous Eurostar train for the journey through the Chunnel to Paris. Enjoy an orientation walk and free time to visit the city.

Day 3 Paris
Spend the day with free time to visit dozens of museums, patisserie shops, sidewalk cafés or grand boulevards.

Day 4 Paris/Lausanne
Take a morning TGV train to Lausanne, Switzerland. Spend the afternoon in this charming town.

Day 5 Lausanne/Zermatt
Board another train for the journey to Zermatt, a tiny village in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the afternoon in the car-free centre or hiking in the nearby mountains.

Day 6 Zermatt/Chur
Board the Glacier Express for a slow and stunning ride through the Alps. Pass meadows, rushing streams, bridges, villages and massive mountains as the train heads towards Chur. Arrive in the evening after a full day of soaking in the scenery.

Day 7 Chur/Munich
Take a full day to reach Munich, in the heart of Bavaria. Arrive in time for an optional evening out at a local brewery with a few steins of beer and some typical German fare.

Day 8 Munich
Explore the city or head further afield to visit Füssen and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

Day 9 Munich/Salzburg
Visit Dachau before a short train ride to Salzburg, Austria. This charming city is brimming with history and character.

Day 10 Salzburg
Make the most of a free day in Salzburg. Opt to visit the salt mines or take the famous Sound of Music tour.

Day 11 Salzburg/Vienna
Continue by train to Vienna. Opt to visit the famous opera house, join a city tour or visit world-class museums. Stay overnight at a G Adventures for Good supported hotel that supports migrant workers.

Day 12 Vienna/Budapest
Take a morning train to Budapest, Hungary. Take an orientation walk upon arrival, then opt to enjoy a night out in this charming city.

Day 13 Budapest
Enjoy a full day for exploration in Budapest. Opt to visit Buda Castle, the famous thermal baths or take a bike tour of the city.

Day 14 Budapest/Sibiu
Continue exploring Budapest before an overnight train to Sibiu.

Day 15 Sibiu/Sighișoara
Arrive in the enchanting town of Sighisoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

Day 16 Sighișoara/Braşov
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Transfer to charming Braşov.

Day 17 Braşov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.

Day 18 Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.

Day 19 Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Day 20 Veliko Tarnovo
Hike to the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo. Opt to go mountain biking or view the murals at the Church of the Nativity.

Day 21 Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.

Day 22 Sofia/Plovdiv
Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here.

Day 23 Plovdiv/Istanbul
Spend the day exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an evening bus to Istanbul.

Day 24 Istanbul
Take a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Aya Sofya, and the Topkapı Palace.

Day 25 Istanbul/Ankara
Enjoy some free time in the morning before catching a train to Ankara.

Day 26 Ankara/Göreme
Visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Day 27 Göreme
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Opt to see it from above on a hot air balloon ride.

Day 28 Göreme/Tatvan
Enjoy one more morning in Cappadocia before driving to nearby Kayseri. Board an overnight train for Eastern Turkey.

Day 29 Tatvan/Van
Arrive to Tatvan and board a ferry for the scenic ride across Lake Van. Arrive to the other side and the town of Van in the afternoon.

Day 30 Van
Enjoy a day trip to Mt Ararat with a visit to the Ishak Pasha Palace.

Day 31 Van
Use a full day here to enjoy Lake Van. Drive to Gevas for a short cruise to Ahtamara Island to visit a beautiful Armenian Church. Opt to swim at the local beach.

Day 32 Van/Tehrān
Enjoy another day in the Van area with a visit to the Van Castle. Board the Trans-Asia train in the evening for the journey to Tehran.

Day 33 Tehrān
Spend the day absorbing the scenery from the train, arriving into Tehran in the evening.

Day 34 Tehrān/Shiraz
Explore Tehran with a local guide, visiting the Sa’d Abad Palace and National Jewel Museum before boarding an evening train to Shiraz.

Day 35 Shiraz
Arrive in Shiraz in the late morning. Spend the day visiting the Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, and the tombs of Hafez and Sa’adi.

Day 36 Shiraz
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Persepolis, the ceremonial palace of Darius, and admire its amazingly well-preserved carvings. Later, wander the streets and mingle with the students in laid-back Shiraz.

Day 37 Shiraz/Isfahan
Stop at the Koran Gate and the UNESCO-listed Pasargadae complex en route to Isfahan, one of the finest Islamic cities in the world.

Day 38 Isfahan/Tehrān
Tour the beautiful city of Isfahan, enjoying the famous square, mosques, and bartering at the bazaar. Hang out on the many bridges that make Isfahan unique, or shop for an authentic Persian rug. In the evening, board a final overnight train to Tehran.

Day 39 Tehrān
Arrive early and enjoy a final day of sightseeing in the busy capital of Tehran. Visit Golestan Palace, the National Museum, and the Carpet Museum.

Day 40 Tehrān
Depart at any time.