Danube

Hungarian Railways will launch a new luxury Budapest-Tehran train service on 15 October, known as the Golden Eagle-Danube Express.

The train will pass through Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as the ancient Iranian cities of Shiraz and Persepolis.

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The two-week journey is expected to cost between €10,000 and €23,000 and will be operated by the Nosztalgia arm of Hungarian Railways.

The train will comprise 13 wood-panelled 1950s carriages and berths for approximately 70 guests.

Hungarian Railways Nosztalgia sales director Marcella Beke said: "Iran has been opening up towards the west recently, so we thought the time was right to set this up."

"Iran has been opening up towards the west recently, so we thought the time was right to set this up."

According to a brochure released by the state-owned operator, the passengers will be offered five-star treatments, including complimentary alcohol.

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However, the supply of alcohol will be restricted within Iran where travellers will be served soft drinks and non-alcoholic beers.

Beke said that all the berths on the maiden journey have been booked but the operator is planning five trips for 2015.

Nosztalgia currently operates the Danube Express service from Hungary to destinations in Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

The service began in September 2008 and is operated from April to October every year.


Image: Nosztalgia currently operates Danube Express luxury service to destinations in Europe. Photo: courtesy of Danube Express.

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