Emirates, Qatar Airlines, and Etihad (the three largest Middle East airlines) have returned to flying at or above 90% of their pre-conflict flight numbers, according to Flightradar24 data. Meanwhile, Gulf Air (usually ranked five for size) and Kuwait Air­ways (outside the top 10) have now exceeded the flight numbers they were handling before the war began in late February 2026.

The geopolitical tensions led to drone attacks and missiles on Gulf infrastructure that effectively closed down aviation in the region and led to the stranding and emergency repatriation of thousands of visitors, amid worldwide travel warnings.

Four months later and with a ceasefire package signed, stakeholders and analysts are hopeful that Gulf airspace and airports, which include some of the world’s busiest international hubs, will see a quick return to business as usual. James Hal­stead, man­aging part­ner at Avi­ation Strategy, reported by Kuwait Times said: “If it gets back to nor­mal, I just see them act­ing as nor­mal, com­ing back in full force.”

In a session on the Middle East with regional partners.

First, we need to ensure the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without restrictions.

Second, the events in the Strait have highlighted vulnerabilities that we need to adress.

We should… pic.twitter.com/rWMP5xvhV2

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 16, 2026

Aus­tralia recently lifted its alerts for a number of Middle East­ern nations, so that should mean an uptick in traffic. Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Amman, Beirut, and Damascus on 1 May, to Doha on 8 June, and to Dubai on 9 June. And Abu Dhabi is set to hit Turkish schedules again on 1 July.

Air France is set to resume flights to and from Beirut and Dubai on 24 June, when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s “exercise caution” warning for flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia, may be eased. SunExpress has suspended Dubai flights until 30 June, and Bahrain, Beirut, and Erbil flights until 14 July.

Similarly, airBaltic is due to resume flights between Riga and Tel Aviv from 1 July, and KLM will recommence Dubai, Riyadh, and Damman operations on 10 August. August is also the month when British Airways will fly again to Doha and Riyadh.

While all that is good news for a region heavily invested in developing its tourism sector as it pivots away from fossil fuel exploitation, Mateusz Klimek, an airline network planning expert, told Euronews Travel: “Many airlines that were flying to the Gulf region have used those planes to add extra capacity to other destinations in Asia as people choose to fly nonstop. Once you add that capacity, you don’t want to change it back because of the disruptions to passengers and the costs.”

Accordingly, British Airways is not due to return to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, or Tel Aviv, until 25 October, and will not be resuming flights to Jeddah at all. Likewise, many carriers, including the Austrian Airlines, airBaltic, Finnair, suspended operations to a range of Middle East destinations until the autumn, and Norwegian has announced an indefinite suspension of its Beirut and Tel Aviv routes.

To tempt travellers back, though, Etihad has a special offer for free Abu Dhabi com­pli­ment­ary med­ical insur­ance from July until Decem­ber. It’s a strategy in line with Emir­ates approach, whose CEO Tim Clark has told Reu­ters promoting the region’s reputation for safety and reli­ab­il­ity is the way to get consumers to return. If it works, the region’s economies could do better than expected, but only last week the Inter­na­tional Air Trans­port Asso­ci­ation slashed its 2026 fore­cast for the aviation sector in half, anticipating net profits of $23 bil­lion – a drop of $22 bil­lion since 2025.

L’article Gulf Airlines return to pre-Iran flight levels but wider aviation recovery stalls est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, to be known as VC-25B “Bridge”, was gifted “unconditionally” to the US administration in 2025 by the Qatari government and has undergone a refurbishment. Trump presented the makeover at the Maryland airbase, calling the new-look jet, “the world’s most luxurious plane.”

“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said, adding: “Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines – these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”

“Everything was designed good. It was my taste, I will say,” he told crowds. Noting the new “more appropriate” colour scheme, changed from the traditional pale blue chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, to the colours of the Stars & Stripes flag, he said: “I like the color of the American flag, right? That makes sense.” The “Old Glory” flag on the tail has also been tweaked. “We put the wave in it,” Trump explained. “We’ve always gone with a straight little noodle, and I never loved that.”

Questions were raised at the time of the Qatari donation last year, with critics pointing out a plethora of concerns about the implications of a gift worth estimated to be worth $400 million from a foreign power, well over the legal limit of $50. But on Friday, Trump insisted the gift is “really an honour.” He added: “I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”

The exterior modifications mean that the plane now very much resembles Trump’s own private jet. But the Qatari head of state’s choice of interior decor in the plane is reported by the Air Force to have been left almost untouched, with lie-flat seating, tan panelling, and gold light fixtures.

The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at Joint Base Andrews!

More info: https://t.co/xhurcI0mjL pic.twitter.com/zyUpB99jqm

— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) June 19, 2026

Though some updates were binned in order to get the aircraft delivered on schedule, Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force, said in a statement: “The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority.” He explained: “From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission.”

In terms of first outings for the new jet, the Air Force has announced forthcoming “exam” flights to test the modifications. Mount Rushmore may be one of the destinations that form part of this year’s 250th US Independence Day celebratory calendar, as well as a fly-by of the US Capitol. The plane is intended to be a stopgap until two purpose-built aircraft costing between $3.7 and $5 billion are ready in 2027 or 2028.

Lovers of aviation history may be pleased to hear the old Air Force One Boeing 747-200Bs that were in use since the 1990s will be “fixed up a little bit, not like this one, and we’ll do museums,” Trump said. “They’re great planes, they’re great history.”

L’article Trump reveals revamped Qatari Boeing 747 for Air Force One Fleet est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Dubai-based carrier announced the new Comprehensive Travel Cover, saying it was designed to address a gap in the market and provide customers with greater protection amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and travel disruptions.

The insurance package includes trip cancellation cover, hotel accommodation, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expenses and worldwide emergency evacuation cover. Newly added benefits include reimbursement of up to $25,000 for medical expenses and a complimentary trip extension for up to 30 days. 

We’ve become the first airline in the world to offer Comprehensive Travel Cover, a travel insurance product that handles it all, including medical cover for conflict-related incidents, backed by airline-managed hotel accommodation and extended-stay support, in addition to… pic.twitter.com/4vK3zamSBm

— Emirates (@emirates) June 17, 2026

Alongside the existing travel insurance offering, Emirates will provide additional support during disruptions, including airspace closures, while the policy remains valid regardless of government travel advice. Passengers affected by conflict-related flight cancellations will be rebooked to their destinations at no additional cost, including on other airlines if Emirates services are unavailable.

The launch expands Emirates’ existing travel insurance offering through its partnership with Travel Guard, adding both enhanced medical protection and operational support for travellers from the moment they book their journeys.

“Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

“Together with Travel Guard, a leader in the global insurance industry, Emirates is pleased to offer an enhanced travel insurance product that is as comprehensive as it is reassuring for a wider range of situations. With strong demand for travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence in planning their journeys to and through Dubai when they book with Emirates,” he added. 

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships at Travel Guard, said the new product reflects the companies’ focus on improving the customer experience.

“Our long-standing collaboration with Emirates is grounded in a shared commitment to elevating the customer experience,” Antonio said. “By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry and responds to the needs of today’s travellers.”

Emirates has been named ‘Best Overall Airline in the Middle East’ at the 2026 APEX Awards. Based on verified passenger feedback, the airline was recognised for excellence across comfort, service, dining, entertainment, and connectivity. pic.twitter.com/RTwKZ7YchK

— Emirates (@emirates) June 11, 2026

According to the Emirates announcement, the Comprehensive Travel Cover is available from 17 June and can be purchased during the booking process or added to existing reservations through the airline’s Manage Booking platform. The product is currently available in 29 markets, including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

L’article Emirates rolls out industry-first travel insurance covering conflict-related disruptions est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In what the Greece-based seaplane company describes as the “foundation for a broader maritime air transport network across the Adriatic and Ionian regions”, Hellenic Seaplanes has started operating a seaplane service connecting Ioannina (Greece) and Vlorë (Albania) and will soon be adding flights to Pogradec (Albania) too.

“Today we are not simply inaugurating a new route, but a new way in which the coastal and island regions of the Mediterranean can be interconnected. The Greece-Albania flight is the first step of a broader vision that aims to position our country as a key player in creating the first seaplane network in the Mediterranean. Greece does not only export tourism. It can also export expertise, infrastructure, innovation, and a new model of sustainable connectivity for the entire region,”  stated Nicolas Charalambous, CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes.

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The launch took place in Ioannina and was preceded by a meeting at the local city hall. The event focused on the city’s water airport, Lake Pamvotida Water Airport. According to the Mayor of Ioannina, Thomas Begas, all licensing procedures have been completed, and the process will be launched to select a contractor responsible for the construction and operation of the facility. On the same occasion, Hellenic Seaplanes presented the schedule and objectives of the first international seaplane flight between Greece and Albania.

“Today’s flight represents a highly positive and promising step for our region, as it demonstrates in practice the potential offered by the development of a modern seaplane network across the wider region of Epirus and the Balkans,” said Thomas Begas.

According to Hellenic Seaplanes, the service connecting Greece with Albania is being implemented following an official invitation from the Albanian authorities. The company identifies the initiative as the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at developing infrastructure, seaplane networks, and new cross-border transport corridors connecting coastal cities, island regions, and tourist destinations across the Mediterranean.

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A plan long in the making

The first efforts to make the new connection a reality were made in 2024. During a meeting in early July that included the General Consul of Albania in Ioannina, Irida Laci, the Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha, and the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Nicolas Charalambous, the opportunity to expand the Hellenic Seaplanes network of water airports to Albania was discussed. At the time, Charalambous presented a plan including ten water airports centred around the second largest port of Albania, Vlora.

“I believe that the initiative for creating water airports in Albania will have a significant developmental impact on the country. Being part of the seaplane network will allow both Albanian citizens and visitors to travel quickly, flexibly, and safely. For us, the creation of a water airport network will serve as another important pillar for the development of our country and will optimise our ports and airports,” Irida Laci, General Consul of Albania in Ioannina, said at the time.

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2024 also marked the moment when, for the first time in 15 years, seaplanes returned to Lake Pamvotida in Ioannina. The first test flights were conducted in September 2024.

In the future, Hellenic Seaplanes, which already operates an extensive network of licensed seaplanes within Greece, aims for a gradual development of a broader network connecting countries across the Adriatic, Ionian, Eastern Mediterranean, and North Africa.

L’article New international seaplane service connects Greece and Albania est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The software problem began on 19 July 2024, after cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike attempted an update to its Falcon product, resulting in a global Microsoft Windows crash. A vast number of businesses around the world were impacted, including essential sectors such as banking and hospitals.

For Delta, the situation led to the cancellation of approximately 7,000 flights, impacting 1.3 million passengers. Around 60% of its vital applications, including backups, depend on Windows. It was forced to physically reset a whopping 40,000 servers and is still in a legal dispute with CrowdStrike about the outage. Other major US airlines which use CrowdStrike were also affected, but American and United recovered faster than Delta, which took over five days to normalise.

12-hour timelapse of American Airlines, Delta, and United plane traffic after what was likely the biggest IT outage in history forced a nationwide ground stop of the three airlines. pic.twitter.com/wwcQeiEtVe

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 19, 2024

In line with its tight focus on consumer protections in aviation, the Biden administration began a probe into what took Delta so long to put things right and whether it had met its obligations to fliers. But now, a US Transportation Department (USDOT) spokesperson has said the scrutiny has been brought to a close, and that no penalty will be applied, after a ​review found “Delta’s passengers received prompt refunds, adequate baggage assistance, and appropriate assistance for ​passengers with disabilities.”

Delta, which lost around €500 million because of the incident, issued a statement expressing thanks to USDOT for taking into account “the catastrophic circumstances we faced ​as an industry during the unprecedented outage.” The airline also expressed gratitude for USDOT’s “dismissal of the investigation” and the government’s acknowledgement of “how we ‌cared ⁠for customers, which included millions of dollars in refunds, hotels, food and baggage assistance.”

Under President Donald Trump, USDOT has rolled back a number of penalties aimed at airlines for breaches of consumer rights, including waiving an $11-million fine on Southwest Airlines for a catastrophic set of failures at the height of the December 2022 holiday season. American Airlines also dodged a $16.7-million fine imposed by Biden because of the carrier’s treatment of disabled passengers and wheelchairs.

The department explained that the Delta CrowdStrike decision had been made “because the president has directed his administration to ensure enforcement actions serve the public interest.” It went on: “the matter was closed with direction given to Delta to provide adequate customer service assistance, including timely notification of the right to seek a refund.”

L’article Delta Air Lines escapes without penalty after catastrophic software outage est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

One-way fares start as low as 149 SEK (€13.59), which includes a reserved seat, two pieces of hand luggage and a small personal item. Folding bicycles are also permitted on the train. Alternatively, Interrail or Eurail Global Passes are accepted currency too, but passengers will need to buy a seat reservation on top, costing five euros. Either way, it’s a bargain for the 600-km scenic trip, taking in shorelines, lakes, canyons, and castles.

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The timetable schedules departure from Malmö at 6:38 am (or 7:05 am on Sundays) and sees the train pull into Oslo at 1:16 pm, with calls along the way at Gothenburg, as well as stops such as Lund, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Varberg, Trollhättan, Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad. Travelling in the other direction is an afternoon and evening affair, leaving the Norwegian capital at 2:48 pm and arriving in Malmö at 9:25 pm.

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For those who want to take in the spectacular views, the Swedish tourist board recommends sitting on the train’s left side between Malmö and Gothenburg in order to catch sight of Varberg Fortress, while from the right-hand side, Lund Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s oldest stone churches, will be visible. Between Gothenburg and Mellerud, those who remain on the right will be treated to lake and river vistas, including Göta Älv Valley, and vast Lake Vänern, the third-largest lake in Europe.

From either side, the Mellerud to the Kornsjö Border stage of the journey is a feast for the eyes as the train weaves through the Granite Canyons, while high ridge rails in the locality of Ed give views of Lake Stora Le.

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Публикация от Valter Dahlbäck (@valterdahlback)

There’s no need to worry about what you’ll eat along the way since the train boasts a dining car, as explained by Marco Andersson, Snälltåget’s commercial manager, who said in a statement: “We believe that direct trains, improved comfort in carriages designed for long-distance travel, and a restaurant carriage are crucial for the train to gain market share on this route.”

And for lovers of train travel, Andersson hinted at further service developments to come, saying: “We see a potential in increased train travel in the corridor Copenhagen – Malmö – Gothenburg – Oslo, not least for tourist travel.”

L’article New scenic international train connects Malmö to Oslo for under €15 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Aerolíneas Argentinas created one of the most recognisable liveries for the tournament. The Airbus A330-202 features Lionel Messi’s number 10 on the tail, which is strongly linked to the national team captain. The aircraft also includes three stars on its fuselage, representing Argentina’s three World Cup victories. In addition, a captain’s armband was added on both engines as another football reference. These elements together highlight the country’s football history and its most famous player.

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Air Algérie also introduced a special design on its Airbus A330-941, registered as 7T-VLB. The aircraft features the slogan “One Two Three Viva l’Algérie”, which is widely associated with the national team. A key visual element is the fennec fox on the tail fin, which is the national animal of Algeria. The fox is also the nickname of the national football team, making it a strong symbol of identity. The aircraft was delivered already painted with this livery before entering service on routes to Algiers.

Qatar Airways, which plays a central role in global football sponsorship, also unveiled a dedicated World Cup livery. The design was applied to a Boeing 777-3DZ(ER) and was prepared ahead of the tournament. In addition to the exterior design, the airline also decorated cabin elements to reflect the event. Unlike some temporary liveries, this aircraft is expected to continue flying after the competition ends.

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In Latin America, several airlines also took part with themed aircraft. Avianca transported the Colombian national team on an Airbus A320-251N featuring the team emblem on the tail. For a later match, the team also travelled on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by the same airline. Copa Airlines introduced a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with a special Panamanian team livery chosen through an internal employee competition. The design includes an all-red colour scheme and the national team crest on the tail.

In Europe, Iberia presented a special Airbus A350-941 featuring the Spanish national team. The aircraft includes stickers of the team and the slogan “Despega un equipo, vuela un país”, which translates as “A team takes off, a country flies”. TAP Air Portugal also supported the national team with sticker decorations on an Airbus A330-941. Before departure, players took photos in front of the aircraft, an image shared by Cristiano Ronaldo on social media.

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Royal Air Maroc contributed with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that transported the Moroccan national team to the United States. The aircraft carried stickers with the phrase “Go Lions 2026”, referring to the team’s nickname, the Atlas Lions. In the Caribbean, Divi Divi Air introduced a special livery on its Twin Otter aircraft for the Curaçao national team. The design includes a long slogan that highlights the island’s ambition on the global football stage.

In North America, partnerships between airlines also played a role. American Airlines and Qatar Airways collaborated on a special World Cup-themed Boeing 737-800. The aircraft was unveiled in Miami and entered service shortly after its presentation.

American Airlines' special FIFA World Cup 2026-themed livery is now featured on Boeing B737-800 (N844NN). The airline is an official airline sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, partnering with Qatar Airways to support the world's biggest football tournament. pic.twitter.com/GZDnBZTXZk

— Aviation Voice (@Aviation_Voice) June 6, 2026

Airlines continue to use aircraft liveries as a way to connect aviation with sport and national identity. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has provided a global stage for creative designs that combine football culture and airline branding. From full aircraft liveries to simple stickers, each design tells a story about the country or team it represents. These aircraft not only transport players and fans but also carry national pride across continents.

L’article Top FIFA World Cup 2026 aircraft liveries celebrating national pride est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Big news for our customers!

This Autumn, we’re rolling out next-generation Starlink Wi-Fi across our East Coast route, bringing faster, more reliable onboard connectivity from London to Edinburgh and beyond.

Stay connected for work, streaming and keeping in touch while… pic.twitter.com/HTsB2CqBYL

— Lumo (@LumoTravel) June 10, 2026

Lumo has provided 5G-enabled Wi-Fi available on its new West Coast services operating between London Euston and Stirling, one of the few offerings of its kind in the UK rail industry. The firm claimed the introduction of Starlink on their East Coast services further positions them ahead of other providers.

As noted by Paul Jackson, Lumo’s Head of Customer and Stakeholder Engagement, dependable Wi-Fi while on the move is increasingly important for customers choosing to travel by train. “Providing a high-quality, reliable Wi-Fi experience is vital for our customers,” Jackson said, adding: “We know people want to stay connected and work effectively while onboard. Reliable onboard Wi-Fi is increasingly important for customers choosing to travel by train, whether for work, entertainment or just staying connected with friends and family. Traditional trackside and mobile-based systems can be affected by coverage gaps and infrastructure limitations, particularly on long-distance intercity routes.”

Lumo also said in its statement that it intends to address those challenges “by delivering a more consistent, high-quality connection across the full route.” The firm highlighted that the advent of Starlink on its routes “represents a step change in digital connectivity on the East Coast Main Line, enabling customers to make better use of their time while travelling.”

Lumo has received industry recognition for its innovative use of technology, recently being shortlisted at the Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards for a bold new trial which saw digital screens at petrol stations display live Lumo train service information and ticket prices. The goal of the campaign was to encourage sustainable travel.

L’article Low-cost UK rail operator to roll out Starlink WiFi on East Coast trains by autumn 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In all, 26 routes will be recommencing over the course of the coming peak season. Among them, the airline will once again serve several major European cities, including Brussels, Düsseldorf, Lisbon, Oslo, and Prague, where travellers will benefit from seven weekly flights. Four weekly flights to Helsinki will resume, but only until 1 August, when the figure will jump to seven flights. Operations to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, the Hungarian capital, Budapest, and the Croatian capital, Zagreb, are also resuming.

Fliers looking to travel transatlantic will see routes to Boston and Philadelphia, Bogotá, and Caracas back on schedule. And, to cater to World Cup demand, frequencies are increasing to provide daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco on the US west coast, as well as 10 weekly flights to Miami.

Qatar Airways continues to deliver on its commitment to network restoration, and is steadily expanding its reach to more than 160 gateways for the ease and convenience of international travellers. Starting today, the airline is returning to 26 destinations in key global markets.… pic.twitter.com/ATECZ9exEJ

— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 16, 2026

In the Asia-Pacific region, destinations coming back to the departures board include popular antipodean cities such as Adelaide and Auckland, Osaka and Tokyo Haneda. Up and coming Caucasian destinations such as Kazakhstan’s Almaty, the Azerbaijani capital Baku, Tbilisi in Georgia, and Yerevan in Armenia. Central Asia’s Tashkent is also available through the Qatari carrier once more.

Meanwhile, in Africa, the airline is bringing back flights to cities such as Rwanda’s Kigali, Morocco’s Marrakesh, and the Seychelles, as well as adding Port Sudan to its global network out of Doha.

In a statement published on 16 June, the carrier said it had resumed operations to over 60 destinations since the Middle East security crisis in March 2026, and confirmed that the expanded summer schedule will now mean it can serve over 160 destinations in the coming months. Still, it cautioned that schedules remain subject to operational conditions, advising passengers to check official updates to confirm bookings.

The nine-times World’s Best Airline also took the opportunity to highlight that 140 of its aircraft are now equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi, which makes it the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped widebody fleet. Passengers in both Premium and Economy cabins can make the most of Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft to stay connected, productive, and entertained while on the move.

L’article Qatar Airways resumes flights and expands summer network to over 160 destinations est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

CFR Călători relaunched its high season “România” services on 12 and 13 June, linking the Romanian capital with Varna, Sofia, and Istanbul. With daily departures from now until 11 October for Varna and 12 October for Sofia and Istanbul Halkalı, (terminating a day earlier if travellers are coming in the opposite direction), the long-distance routes, including sleeper options, all have fares under €60, offering holidaymakers “comfortable and affordable” journeys to the Black Sea and popular summer destinations, the operator said.

The Bucharest to Varna schedule will depart every day from Bucharest North at 10:46 am and arrivals in Varna at 7:56 pm, connecting the two cities in just over nine hours. Returns also leave in the morning, pulling out of Varna at 9:30 am, and into Bucharest at 4:56 pm. Single fares in second class come in at €27.

Travelling from Bucharest to Sofia, passengers will also depart Bucharest at 10:46 am, reaching Sofia nearly 10 hours later at 8:41 pm. The return train departs Sofia earlier in the morning, at 7:00 am, arriving in Bucharest at 4:56 pm. Second-class single tickets can be snapped up for just €33.60.

The overnight Istanbul service again leaves Bucharest North at 10:46 am with arrival at Istanbul Halkalı station in time for a Turkish breakfast at 9:56 am the following morning. Coming back the other way, trains depart Istanbul at 8:00 pm, reaching Bucharest at 4:56 pm the next day. A couchette accommodating four people can be secured from €57.80 one way.

The advent of the international summer schedule fits with a growing consumer appetite for sustainable travel, sleeper services, and rail adventures. “Through these direct international routes, CFR Călători supports passengers who choose to spend their holidays or vacations in Bulgaria and Turkey,” the rail operator said, announcing the schedules.

Tickets for international journeys can be purchased up to 90 days in advance of travel, in person from international CFR Călători stations and agencies, or online from the https://bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/ro/booking/search webpage. There are a range of ways to receive proof of purchase. For destinations in Bulgaria and Türkiye, tickets can be collected from the train station or delivered by courier within Romania. For trips to Bulgaria, tickets can also be sent directly on passengers’ mobile devices. Interrail tickets can also be purchased at the same outlets and used for trips to both Bulgaria and Türkiye.

L’article Direct summer trains from Romania to Bulgaria and Türkiye return until October est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.