Highlights
The Orient Express Adventure Begins!
From the bustling streets of Ankara to the historic heart of Kars, the Orient Express offers passengers the chance to explore the heart of Anatolia. This iconic train, which has been showcasing Turkey's landscapes from its windows since 1936, promises an unforgettable journey filled with ancient city ruins, mysterious natural beauty and warm friendships along the way. With the nostalgic charm of the wagons and the unique characteristics of the travel culture, the Eastern Express adventure starts on 11.12.2023!
There are now two Orient Expresses!
The difficulty in finding an Eastern Express ticket stems from the growing popularity of this fascinating route of this iron journey. This journey, which offers the opportunity to watch the snow-covered landscapes of Anatolia from its comfortable wagons, has turned into a phenomenon as it is frequently featured on social media. Tickets for the Orient Express sell out in seconds, especially during the winter months, in anticipation of the romantic journey accompanied by snowy landscapes. This was especially true for the cozy covered and sleeper wagons of the Orient Express, and the hunt for tickets for the Orient Express turned into a treasure hunt. In order to offer more travel options to passengers, TCDD launched the Touristic Eastern Express in 2019 to meet this intense demand. Thus, passengers' question "How to buy an Eastern Express ticket?" has been solved with two different train lines and new capacities have been created for those who want to travel on this route.
The Difference Between Orient Express and Touristic Orient Express
The wagons and services of the Orient Express differ according to their characteristics. There are three main types of wagons:
Pulman: It offers a comfortable journey with its standard seating arrangement and wide seat ranges.
Covered Couchette: In rooms for four people, armchairs can be converted into beds and bedding such as clean sheets and pillows are provided.
Sleeper Wagon: A type of carriage available only on the Touristic Orient Express, with private rooms for two people, equipped with a refrigerator, table and washbasin.
Touristic Eastern Express is designed for a comfortable journey and includes 8 sleeping cars and 1 dining car with a capacity of 120 passengers. Each seat of this train can be a bed and each room has a mini fridge, table and sink.
On the other hand, Eastern Express Main Line Train does not have a sleeper car, but it does have covered and pulman car options as well as dining car services.
In terms of route, both trains operate between Ankara and Kars. However, while the Orient Express stops at more than 50 stops throughout the journey, the Touristic Orient Express stops at only 29 stops. The Tourist Orient Express offers long breaks at certain stops so that passengers can explore the surroundings.
Travel times also vary. While the Touristic Eastern Express offers a 30-hour journey from Ankara to Kars and 34.5 hours from Kars to Ankara, the Eastern Express Main Line Train keeps these times a little shorter.
As for pricing, there is the following configuration for the 2023-2024 period:
Touristic Eastern Express Prices 2023
Touristic Eastern Express prices vary as low, normal and high depending on the intensity of the season.
| Low Period | 6.000 TL |
| Normal Period | 8.000 TL |
| High | 12.500 TL |
Eastern Express Prices 2023
East Express Main Line Train's pulman and covered wagons are offered at a fixed price.
| Wagon Type | Fee |
| Pulman | 400 TL |
| Covered Couchette | 400 TL |
Where to Buy Eastern Express Tickets?
There are various ways to obtain an Eastern Express ticket. You can easily obtain your Eastern Express ticket through TCDD's electronic ticket system. You can also get information from the 'Ticket Sales Points' section under the 'Passenger Section' on the official website of TCDD Tasimacilik.
You can buy your Eastern Express ticket from Sirkeci Station ticket offices in Istanbul. Please note that tickets are not sold at Haydarpasa Station. You can also contact our Customer Services at 444 82 33 for your Eastern Express ticket transactions. The TCDD E-ticket application, developed for mobile devices, allows you to buy tickets from anywhere at any time and gives you quick access to up-to-date price information.
Curiosities about the Orient Express
We can say that the Orient Express has a structure that does not ignore your needs on its long journey. On this nostalgic train journey, the toilets you may need during your journey of more than a day are available as standard in all wagon types of the train - pulman, covered couchette, sleeper and dining. Of course, since pulman and couchette cars are more crowded, the frequency of use of the toilets in these cars can be higher. Our passengers are responsible for the cleanliness and hygiene of the restrooms.
There is no dedicated space for your luggage, so the items you bring with you will need to be with you for the duration of your trip. At this point, spacious and portable backpacks can be a practical choice on your journey.
There is room for your four-legged friends on the pet-friendly Eastern Express, but you need to fulfill certain conditions. You need to purchase special tickets for your pets such as birds, cats and small dogs and make sure that the transport cages are big enough to carry them on your lap. It is also important to have the necessary ID card and health reports for your pet with you. For some small animals, a municipal health certificate may be sufficient. As long as you meet the specified conditions, you can experience the privilege of traveling with your pet friend in sections other than covered couchette and sleeper car.
And a tip: The views from the early morning routes can be breathtaking, so you may want to wake up around 07:00 am to catch the spectacular views of nature.
Eastern Express Routes: Journey Options
Traveling by Train from Istanbul via Ankara
For those living in Istanbul, the first step to adventure can be traveling to the capital Ankara by high-speed train. The high-speed train departing from Istanbul will take you to Ankara in a comfortable and fast way. When you arrive in Ankara, the comfortable seats of the Eastern Express will be waiting for those who want to experience this unique experience.
Direct Flight Alternatives to Kars
If you have limited time or do not want to be tired before your trip to Kars, you can choose direct flights to Kars. After landing at Kars Harakani Airport, you can plan and stay for a while for the unique beauties of Kars waiting to be discovered, and on the following days, you can join the fascinating atmosphere of the Eastern Express.
By plane to Kars, by train to Erzurum
If you want to experience the Orient Express from a different perspective, you can first travel to Kars by plane, and after completing your Kars sightseeing plan, you can take the train from Kars to Erzurum. This route offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the mystical journey offered by the train. In Erzurum, you cannot return without eating cağ kebab. You should also take time to visit Erzurum for an unforgettable experience where you will visit its historical and natural beauties and enjoy magnificent views.
Recommendation:
When choosing between these options, consider your travel time, budget and most importantly, how deeply you want to experience the magic of the Orient Express. Each route promises different views and memories. Whichever you choose, the authentic journey of the Orient Express will take you beyond time, on an adventure where nature and history are intertwined.
Enriching Your Eastern Express Journey: Advantages of Renting a Car in Kars
Kars is an Anatolian city that stands out with its historical texture, cultural heritage and of course, its immense natural beauty. When you arrive in Kars after an unforgettable journey on the Orient Express, you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by car rental to explore the city and its surroundings.
Places to visit in Kars:
Ani Ruins: This ancient city, which has witnessed thousands of years of history, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors a unique historical experience.
Çıldır Lake You can do activities such as horseback riding or walking on ice in Çıldır Lake, which is almost a natural wonder with its freezing surface, especially in winter.
Kars Castle The castle, which is the symbol of the city, is an ideal spot for photography with its wonderful view.
Kuyucuk Bird Sanctuary: A perfect destination for bird watching and nature walks.
Advantages of Renting a Car:
Flexibility: With the car you rent, you have the freedom to go out of the city and travel to places far from Kars, such as Ani Ruins.
Time Saving: Without being tied to public transportation or tour groups, you can create your own schedule and use your time more efficiently.
Comfort In Kars, which has harsh climatic conditions, you can have a comfortable travel experience thanks to the temperature control inside the vehicle.
Explore the Region in Depth: Renting a car is ideal for exploring hidden villages, natural beauty and local delicacies.
Luggage Convenience: You have more space to carry souvenirs and personal belongings.
Your Kars Discovery Starts with Eastern Express and Ends with RentiCar
After a fairytale journey on the Orient Express, renting a car to explore the rich history and nature of Kars adds freedom and comfort to your journey. By renting a car with RentiCar, you can journey deep into the Ani Ruins, fish in the icy waters of Çıldır Lake or observe the traditional lifestyle in the high-altitude villages of Kars. Create your own route of discovery and collect unforgettable memories in this unique corner of Eastern Anatolia.