Are all listed hotels officially 4-star?

Are they centrally located in each city?

I see that this tour includes airport transfers but not flights. What time would we need to make sure our flights are coordinated in order to maximize the included benefits for both Instanbul and Budapest?

You are correct, the tour includes airport transfers, but flights are NOT included. Airport transfers are arranged according to your confirmed flight schedule, so you can book flights at the times that suit you best. Once your flights to and from Istanbul and Budapest are confirmed, we will coordinate the transfers accordingly to ensure you fully benefit from the included services.

Are there no tours running for June or July?

Unfortunately, we are not operating this group tour in June and July. However, we would be delighted to offer you this tour as a private tour, exclusively for you and your party. Please let me know if this would be of interest to you. If so, kindly provide the following information: 1) When you would like to travel? 2) How many people will be traveling with you? Based on this information, we will customize an offer specifically for your needs.

From

US $2,090 per person

From Budapest to the Golden Horn Tour 2026

11 days

•

From Budapest to Istanbul

4.8

21 traveler reviews

View all

From

US $2,090 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Carpathian Travel Center
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English: Other languages on request: German
Group Size 4 - 19
Ages 18+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Budapest
Start point
Budapest, Hungary (Budapest Airport)
Meals
Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Day 2
Budapest to Timisoara
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Budapest including inside visit to House of Parliament
- Visit Castle District
- Visit Citadel
- Visit Andrássy Avenue
- Visit St. Stephen's Basilica
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Heroes' Square
- City tour of Timisoara including Union Square, fortress walls, Dome-church, Pillar of the Plague, Bastion, House with the Iron Tree, Statue of St. Mary and Huniade Castle
Landmarks
House of Parliament
Castle District
Citadel
Andrássy Avenue
St. Stephen's Basilica
Opera House
Heroes' Square
Union Square
Huniade Castle
Day 3
Timisoara to Sibiu
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Visit Hunedoara Castle
- Visit medieval Sibiu including Big Square
- Visit Little Square
- Visit Liars' Bridge
- Visit City Hall Tower
- Visit Brukenthal Museum
Landmarks
Hunedoara Castle
Brukenthal Museum
Liars' Bridge
Day 4
Sibiu to Poiana Brasov
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the famous restaurant «Vlad Dracula»)
Included Activities
- Visit Sighișoara Citadel
- Lunch in the famous restaurant Vlad Dracula
- Visit Bran village and Dracula Castle
Landmarks
Sighișoara Citadel
Bran Castle
Day 5
Poiana Brașov to Bucharest
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Visit Black Church in Brașov
- Visit Peles Castle in Sinaia
Landmarks
Black Church
Peles Castle
Day 6
Bucharest
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Walking city tour of Bucharest including Royal Palace
- Visit University's Library
- Visit City Hall
- Interior visit of Palace of Parliament
Optional Activities
- Dinner with folklore show in Bucharest (supplement €25.00/person over the regular dinner already included)
Landmarks
Royal Palace
Palace of Parliament
Day 7
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Ruse
- Visit Rock Churches of Ivanovo
- Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo including Asenevtsi monument
- Visit Tsarevets Fortress
- Visit Patriarchal church
- Visit Emperor Baldwin's Tower
Landmarks
Rock Churches of Ivanovo
Tsarevets Fortress
Day 8
Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Visit Kazanlak tomb replica
- Visit family-run rose oil distillery in Tarnicheni village
- Visit Ancient Serdica
- Visit St. George rotunda church
- Visit St. Nedelya square with 4 temples
- Visit Alexander I square
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit National Theatre
- Visit Parliament
- Visit St. Sofia Church
- Visit Alexander Nevski Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Dinner in a typical Bulgarian folklore restaurant with entertainment program
Landmarks
Kazanlak Tomb
St. George Church
St. Nedelya Square
Alexander Nevski Cathedral
Day 9
Sofia to Plovdiv
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Guided tour around Rila Monastery
- Visit old town of Plovdiv
- Visit Antique theatre in Plovdiv
- Visit Roman stadium in Plovdiv
Optional Activities
- Dinner with wine tasting (supplement €25.00/person over the regular dinner already included)
Landmarks
Rila Monastery
Moussala Peak
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
Roman Stadium
Day 10
Plovdiv to Istanbul
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with bread and mineral water)
Included Activities
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Egyptian Obelisk
- Visit Serpentine Column from Delphi
- Visit fountain of Wilhelm II
- Visit Grand Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Turkish Night Tour with Belly Dance & Dinner in a local restaurant
Landmarks
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Grand Bazaar
Day 11
Departure from Istanbul
End point
Istanbul, Türkiye (Airport Istanbul)
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
House of Parliament
Castle District
Citadel
Andrássy Avenue
St. Stephen's Basilica
Opera House
Heroes' Square
Union Square
Huniade Castle

Landmarks
Hunedoara Castle
Brukenthal Museum
Liars' Bridge

Landmarks
Sighișoara Citadel
Bran Castle

Landmarks
Black Church
Peles Castle

Landmarks
Royal Palace
Palace of Parliament

Landmarks
Rock Churches of Ivanovo
Tsarevets Fortress

Landmarks
Kazanlak Tomb
St. George Church
St. Nedelya Square
Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Landmarks
Rila Monastery
Moussala Peak
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
Roman Stadium

Landmarks
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Grand Bazaar

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Optional

Operated by

Carpathian Travel Center

Rating: 4.8(21 reviews)
Response time: within 2 days
Response rate: 88%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by Carpathian Travel Center

Tour Operator
4.8

Jay
July 2nd, 2025
Excellent tour, crafted just for our family. We loved walking Via Transilvanica.
brenda
June 11th, 2025
great really enjoyed

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
24 May, 2026
To Wednesday
3 Jun, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
9 Aug, 2026
To Wednesday
19 Aug, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
6 Sep, 2026
To Wednesday
16 Sep, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
20 Sep, 2026
To Wednesday
30 Sep, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
11 Oct, 2026
To Wednesday
21 Oct, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
25 Oct, 2026
To Wednesday
4 Nov, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,207 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
15 Nov, 2026
To Wednesday
25 Nov, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,090 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
6 Dec, 2026
To Wednesday
16 Dec, 2026
English, German
Filling Fast
From:
US $2,090 per person
Multiple Room Types

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

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L
Larry
Asked on February 22nd, 2026
Are all listed hotels officially 4-star?
Accommodation
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Are they centrally located in each city?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Are all rooms ensuite?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  On the Plovdiv → Istanbul leg, is the transfer by road for all departures?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Approximate driving time?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Are entrance fees included for Hagia Sophia / Blue Mosque (where applicable) / other listed sites?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Is the Bosphorus cruise included or optional? If optional, how do I pay?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  Do you offer roommate matching to avoid the single supplement?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  If matching is requested but no match is found, how is the single supplement handled?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  How many one-night stays are there on this itinerary?
- L
  Larry
  Traveler•Written February 2026
  What is the longest driving day (approx. hours)?
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  yes, the hotels are 4-stars
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  yes, are centrally located
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  yes
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  Transportation by private van/minibus/ bus with driver throughout
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  6 - 7 hours
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  are included
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  it is optional, EUR 35.00/person
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  if there is another person alone and wants to share the room, yes
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  To do the tour starting with late March you have to pay for 2 persons, as the minimum number of participants for all our tours is 2; so the total price would be EUR 1.790 x 2 = EUR 3.580
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  Budapest – 1 night
  Timisoara – 1 night
  Sibiu – 1 night
  Poiana Brasov – 1 night
  Bucharest – 2 nights
  Veliko Tarnovo – 1 night
  Sofia – 1 night
  Plovdiv – 1 night
  Istanbul – 1 night
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written February 2026
  The tour itinerary includes multiple long travel segments (e.g., Budapest → Timisoara, Bucharest → Ruse/Bulgaria, Plovdiv → Istanbul), each possibly 6–7+ hours on the car.
N
Nadia
Asked on January 15th, 2026
I see that this tour includes airport transfers but not flights. What time would we need to make sure our flights are coordinated in order to maximize the included benefits for both Instanbul and Budapest?
Flights / Transfers
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written January 2026
  You are correct, the tour includes airport transfers, but flights are NOT included. Airport transfers are arranged according to your confirmed flight schedule, so you can book flights at the times that suit you best. Once your flights to and from Istanbul and Budapest are confirmed, we will coordinate the transfers accordingly to ensure you fully benefit from the included services.
R
Robert
Asked on January 4th, 2026
Are there no tours running for June or July?
Price / Availability
- Carpathian Travel CenterOperator•Written January 2026
  Unfortunately, we are not operating this group tour in June and July.
  
  However, we would be delighted to offer you this tour as a private tour, exclusively for you and your party.
  
  Please let me know if this would be of interest to you. If so, kindly provide the following information:
  1) When you would like to travel?
  2) How many people will be traveling with you?
  Based on this information, we will customize an offer specifically for your needs.

From

US $2,090 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 317932

Currencies
лв.
Bulgarian Lev
Bulgaria
Ft
Forint
Hungary
$
US Dollar
€
Euro
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.
Type C
Hungary
Type E
Hungary
Type F
Hungary
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bulgaria.Hungary.Turkey.Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bulgaria.Romania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bulgaria.Hungary.Turkey.Romania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Hungary. Ideally 6 months before travel.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Turkey.Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before July 14th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 14th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Carpathian Travel Center. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Carpathian Travel Center will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Carpathian Travel Center" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Carpathian Travel Center. Please familiarize yourself with the Carpathian Travel Center payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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From Budapest to the Golden Horn Tour 2026

Itinerary

Arrival in Budapest

Budapest to Timisoara

Included Activities

Timisoara to Sibiu

Included Activities

Sibiu to Poiana Brasov

Included Activities

Poiana Brașov to Bucharest

Included Activities

Bucharest

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo

Included Activities

Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Sofia to Plovdiv

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Plovdiv to Istanbul

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Departure from Istanbul

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews from other tours by Carpathian Travel Center

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

Similar Tours

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From Budapest to the Golden Horn Tour 2026

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews from other tours by Carpathian Travel Center

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

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