Home / Kars / Routes
The Eastern Express: from Ankara to Kars by train
Photo: Phil Richards / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's route Legendary experiences Season: regular service all year · Touristic train: 21 December 2026 – 12 March 2027

The Eastern Express: from Ankara to Kars by train

Türkiye's most famous train journey: for some 1,300 km the Kızılırmak valleys, the gorges of Erzincan and the snowy Erzurum plateau roll past the window. The regular Eastern Express reaches Kars in about a day; the Touristic Eastern Express, which runs in winter, takes about 32 hours with long stops in Erzincan and Erzurum. We do not sell these tickets; the official sales channel is TCDD Taşımacılık.

Duration≈ 25 hours (tourist train ≈ 32 hours)
Distance≈ 1300 km by train
Stop6
Tickets0
AP

AnatoliaPass editorsTürkiye's legendary experiences · last checked 22 October 2026

Know before you go: transport and safety
  • The touristic train has a limited number of sleeper compartments: ticket sales open on 26 October and sell out quickly, so book early.
  • Winter journey: bring layers, light slippers and your own snacks; do not stay on the platform for long at stops, as the train may leave without warning.
  • Stop times on the touristic train may change according to the timetable; listen for the announcements from staff on the platform.

Things to experience at least once in Türkiye: the Eastern Express and the train to Lake Van, sunrise on Mount Nemrut, the Lycian Way, a Blue Cruise, the sunken city of Kekova, the Hittite capital, Selimiye and Kırkpınar, and skiing on Erciyes and Palandöken. We don't sell train, boat or ski tickets; each route links to the official sales channel. Places where seasons and hours may change carry a "check before you go" notice.

Getting there / tickets: TCDD Taşımacılık · e-ticket (official sales) · TCDD Taşımacılık · passenger services and timetable

AnatoliaPass does not sell these tickets; we send you to the official sales channel. Check prices and departure days there before you go.

Make your own version
  1. 1

    Ankara Station

    Start: Ankara Station (near Ulus and Kızılay; reached by Ankaray and buses) · stay 20 min

    The Eastern Express departs from Ankara Station. The first run of the touristic train is planned for Monday 21 December 2026 at 13.55; there are departures in the Ankara–Kars direction on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Check the current departure time of the regular Eastern Express with TCDD.

    Ankara Station
    Photo: Modern primat / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Timetables may change; confirm your ticket and departure time with TCDD Taşımacılık.

  2. 2

    Kayseri Station

    By train · stay 5 min

    The train spends the night crossing Central Anatolia; it makes a short stop at Kayseri.

    Kayseri Station
    Photo: Demircimehmed / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. 3

    Sivas Station

    By train · stay 10 min

    A short stop in Sivas. On the return journey (Kars–Ankara) the touristic train stops in Sivas for about 3 hours; you can walk to the Gök Medrese and the Çifte Minareli Medrese.

    Sivas Station
    Photo: Alikam1896 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. 4

    Erzincan Station · ≈ 2.5-hour stop on the touristic train

    By train · stay 150 min

    In the Ankara–Kars direction, the Touristic Eastern Express stops in Erzincan for about 2 hours 30 minutes (2025–2026 season plan). During this stop, tour companies usually go to nearby sights such as Kemaliye or the Girlevik Waterfall; independent travellers can have breakfast in the town centre.

    Erzincan Station · ≈ 2.5-hour stop on the touristic train
    Photo: Phil Richards / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Stop times may change according to the season's plan.

  5. 5

    Erzurum Station · ≈ 4-hour stop on the touristic train

    By train · stay 240 min

    The touristic train stops in Erzurum for about 4 hours: enough for the Çifte Minareli Medrese, the Üç Kümbetler and a cağ kebabı. Our Erzurum route is designed to fit this stop.

    Erzurum Station · ≈ 4-hour stop on the touristic train
    Photo: Dosseman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
  6. 6

    Kars Station · arrival

    By train

    Arrival in Kars. The city centre is 5–10 minutes away by taxi. The next day, switch to our Kars route for Ani and (if it has frozen over) Lake Çıldır.

    Kars Station · arrival
    Photo: Francesco Bini / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

One more day? Bursa.

Outside Istanbul

≈ 2 h 15 min · fast ferry + bus · Day trip

Why here: The first Ottoman capital. The Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and Koza Han make an easy day trip; we suggest it if you are staying in Istanbul for more than four days. Not part of this route.

See on the map

What walkers say

Travellers who check in on this route can rate it. No one else can.

Ask the community

No ratings yet

Be one of the first travellers to walk this route. If you have a question or a tip, share it with the community.

After walking the route you can rate it using the check-in in the app. Reviews go live after a short check.

Other routes

The next day

All routes