Touristic Eastern Express

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced the inauguration of the "Touristic Tatvan Train," set to commence operations between Ankara and Tatvan on June 24.

The train will carry 140 passengers on its 1,262-kilometer journey, which will take approximately 28 hours and feature a unique travel experience aimed at enhancing Türkiye's tourism sector.

The Eastern Express, a scenic train journey through eastern Türkiye, continues to be the most popular choice for tourists even with the introduction of new routes like the Ankara-Diyarbakır and Ankara-Tatvan Express trains.

The summer season alternative to the popular Eastern Express train, the Touristic Diyarbakır Express, completed its first four-day journey on April 23.

As the beloved Touristic Eastern Express continues to captivate travelers and culture enthusiasts, anticipation builds for two exciting alternative routes to Türkiye's southeast set to debut in April, offering immersive experiences to explore more of the country's rich landscapes.

The allure of the timeless charm and scenic wonders of the Touristic Eastern Express has attracted the attention of many during the mid-term break, with the tickets for the captivating journey, starting from 10,000 Turkish Liras per person, sold out.

Eastern Express, an overnight passenger train famous among tourists, has begun its first tour of the season, a 30-hour long journey from the capital Ankara to the snow-covered eastern regions, following a ceremony attended by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.

The Touristic Eastern Express that runs from Ankara to the eastern province of Kars will resume operations, which were halted in March 2020, in December.

The train will depart from Ankara on Dec. 15, said Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu in a written statement. 

While people in big cities welcomed the new year of 2020 with parties, concerts and fireworks, dozens of others opted for a 24-hour journey to one of Turkey's easternmost provinces.