The growing global appetite for rail travel finds a compelling expression in Türkiye’s Touristic Eastern Express. The overnight journey between the Turkish capital Ankara and the Eastern Anatolian gem of Kars offers passengers sweeping views of snow-covered Anatolian plains and mountains. Blending nostalgia, scenic travel, and sustainability, the Touristic Eastern Express has gained international recognition as one of the world’s most impressive train journeys.
Türkiye's Most Sought-After Train Ride
The rhythm of the rails, cosy cabins, snow-capped landscapes and enchanting stops turn the Eastern Express into more than a train journey—it’s a fairytale across Anatolia. Running in both directions between Ankara and Kars, the route is spectacular either way, though travelling from the capital to Kars through Anatolia’s dramatic scenery remains the most popular choice.
The Touristic Eastern Express departs three times a week from both cities, with tickets available online. As Türkiye’s most sought-after rail journey, tickets sell out quickly, so early booking is essential. The approximately 24-hour journey offers comfortable cabins with beds, striking scenery, and planned stops for excursions. Many passengers personalise their cabins with lights and decorations to enhance the cosy atmosphere. Travellers can bring their own picnic—cabins include a fridge and sink—or dine in the restaurant car before settling in for a restful night onboard.
The train departing from Ankara passes through Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan, and Erzurum, finally arriving in Kars. From Ankara to Kars, the train stops in Erzincan and Erzurum, while on the return, from Kars to Ankara, it stops in İliç, Divriği, and Sivas, offering passengers opportunities to explore many natural and historical marvels, including UNESCO-listed sites.
The Most Magical Winter Destination
Beginning in Ankara, the scenic rail journey ends in Kars, a city known for its layered history, winter landscapes, and regional cuisine. One of Anatolia’s oldest settlements, Kars offers a rich yet accessible historical experience, from distinctive architecture in the city centre to centuries-old landmarks across the surrounding area. A short drive away lies Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a major medieval metropolis known as the “city of 1001 churches,” Ani features an impressive collection of churches, baths, an early mosque, and great fortification walls, reflecting a layered urban heritage shaped by successive Christian and Muslim dynasties.
The natural beauty of Kars also offers an unmatched experience. In Sarıkamış, visitors can ski on the crystal snow and take a sledge ride, accompanied by magnificent views. Lake Çıldır, on the Kars-Ardahan border, is another must-see natural wonder with its frozen surface in winter. As visitors glide across the ice in horse-drawn sleighs, fishermen can be seen breaking through the frozen surface to catch carp—a striking scene that has become one of the region’s most recognisable winter images.
One of Kars’s standout experiences is its evening dinner events, where visitors are introduced to the city’s authentic spirit through aşık atışması (traditional verbal minstrel duels), Caucasian folk dances, and a carefully curated menu featuring goose meat, Kars cheese, rakı, and Eastern Anatolian wines. Known for its rich gastronomy—including cheese, gruyere, honey, goose meat, and mantı—Kars also invites visitors to the Cheese Museum in Boğatepe village, where they can learn about the region’s cheese-making heritage and sample a variety of local cheeses.