The Danube Express is a private train operating in central and eastern Europe. It was begun in September 2008, and operates excursions on various itineraries and routes from its home base in Budapest, Hungary. Excursions take the train through Hungary, Romania (including Transylvania), Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Its operating season is generally from April to October.
The train is a hotel-on-wheels sleeping car train, usually composed of about eight cars (consisting of four deluxe sleeping cars with en suite facilities, one "classic" sleeping car and restaurant, lounge and staff cars. Some of the cars previously operated on the Royal Hungarian Express by MAV Nosztalgia Kft (who also operate the Danube Express).
The inaugural run in September 2008 was from Berlin to Budapest with stops at Košice, Kraków, Wieliczka, Malbork and Gdańsk. The next excursion was back to Berlin, with stops at Prague and Dresden. The Express now operates more frequently from Budapest to Istanbul (via Transylvania with stops at Sighişoara, Braşov (for Bran Castle), Veliko Turnovo and Kazanlak.
Saxonia, Cracovia, Vindobona and Hungaria Deluxe sleeping cars - originally 1990 Ganz-Hunslet-built mail vans for the Hungarian Post, refitted in 2006. Each contain 5 compartments with twin beds and en-suite bathroom.
Nr. 361 and 362 Heritage sleeping cars - originally 1956 Dunakeszi-built sleeping cars, used until the mid 90es in the Hungarian government's train. Both contain 9 compartments with bunk beds and washbasin, a kitchenette, and a common bathroom.
Nr. 51 and 55 Heritage state cars - 1958 and 1952 Dunakeszi-built state cars, used until the mid 90es in the Hungarian government's train. Both contain 4 compartments with bunk beds and washbasin, a DeLuxe comparment with double bed and en-suite bathroom, a kitchenette, and a common bathroom.
Pannonia and Albert Flórián dining cars - originally 1981 Bautzen-built dining cars, refitted by MÁV Nosztalgia for heritage train services in 2000 and 2014. Pannonia car used to serve between 1981 and 2000 as dining car of the Hungarian government's train. Seating capacity for 42 persons.
Budapest lounge car - originally 1981 Bautzen-built dining car, refitted by MÁV Nosztalgia for heritage train services in 2003. It can be used as dining, bar, or lecture car as well, with a maximum seat capacity of 42.
Balaton bar car - originally 1981 Bautzen-built dining car, refitted in 2015.
Salon Istropolitan state car, used by the staff - originally 1968 Görlitz-built sleeping car for the Czech-Slovak Railways (CSD), refitted in 2001 by the Slovakian Railways, bought by MÁV Nosztalgia in 2005. Contains 6 three-bed sleeper compartments, a dining saloon and a kitchenette.
Generator and staff car, originally 1990 Ganz-Hunslet-built mail van for the Hungarian Post, refitted in 2014. Contains storage facilities, sleeping compartments and a room for conductors.
Further Deluxe sleeping cars are being currently refitted, which will contain compartments with double beds.
Train composition may vary upon demand between 7 and 13 carriages. There are no specific engines for the haulage, but in Hungary - at least at the departures and arrivals from/to Budapest - it's done particularly by heritage (even steam) locomotives.
For 2017 following trips are scheduled:
Balkan Odyssey: Budapest - Sighisoara - Brasov - Veliko Tarnovo - Plovdiv - Belgrade - Mostar - Sarajevo - Ljubljana - Trieste - Venice (also available in opposite direction)
Hellenic Treasures: Budapest - Keszthely - Ljubljana - Sarajevo - Mostar - Belgrade - Sofia - Plovdiv - Thessaloniki - Athens (also available in opposite direction)
Treasures Of Eastern Europe: Venice - Prague - Zittau - Berlin - Gdansk - Malbork - Zakopane - Krakow - Vienna - Keszthely - Budapest
Sicilian Odyssey (southbound): Venice - Cremona - Verona - Bologna - Bari - Pompeii - Villa San Giovanni - Palermo - Agrigento - Ragusa - Syracuse - Caltagirone - Catania - Taormina
Sicilian Odyssey (northbound): Taormina - Catania - Caltagirone - Syracuse - Raguse - Agrigenti - Palermo - Salerno - Amalfi Coast - Rome - San Gimignano - Florence - Venice
New Year in Vienna: Budapest - Keszthely - Graz - Vienna - Cesky Krumlov - Prague - Kosice - Budapest
In the years before journeys were frequently made from Budapest to Istanbul and return, which were extended between 2014 and 2016 even to Iran. Istanbul was also the beginning and the ending of the trips through the Balkan states, but now all the tours to and via Turkey are cancelled due to safety reasons.
