The Orient Express

A Disappointing Experience

The Orient Express is the famous railway train that runs through Europe, traveling from Calais and Ostend to Constantinople three times a week. While it is widely celebrated, it can be a disappointment when compared to American standards. The journey between Vienna and Sofia is about the same distance as between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but it takes twice as long to complete the trip. Moreover, the fare is about four times higher than what you would pay in America for a similar distance.

The High Cost and Small Spaces

The extra fare or supplement, as it is called, for riding the Orient Express between Vienna and Sofia is 44 francs, or approximately $8.40. This is almost the full fare between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. For that price, you get a tiny space in a sleeping compartment, not a comfortable Pullman sleeper. The bed is reasonably comfortable, but the space is so narrow that it’s hardly safe to turn over in your sleep. The only way to get fresh air is by opening a window directly above your head, which doesn’t feel very secure.

In contrast, regular trains are just two hours slower than the Orient Express, but they are much cheaper. These trains run every day, and the quality of service is very similar, but the fare is only half the price of the Orient Express.

Bulgaria’s Railroads and Travel Time

Bulgaria has several railroads that connect the country to places like the Black Sea, Bucharest, and Salonika on the Mediterranean. There is also a major trunk line that connects to Constantinople. These railroads are owned by the government and are well-managed, although the trains are very slow. The Orient Express can sometimes reach a speed of 20 miles per hour, but on average, it only travels at 18 miles per hour, which is considered impressive in Bulgaria.

The entire Bulgarian railway system has a total length of 909 miles, with 130 miles of new track currently being built. The country also has an extensive telephone and telegraph network, which is a big improvement over some other countries, including Germany. The telephone service in Germany is so bad that many foreigners avoid using it if possible Private Tour Ephesus.

A Joke with a German Professor

One evening, I jokingly suggested that German words might be too big for the telephone lines, causing problems with the transmission. A professor at the University of Berlin took me seriously and, instead of laughing, he punished me by keeping me in the corner for half an hour while he explained why my suggestion was absurd. Moral of the story: Never joke with German professors.