KARS

Traveling on the Orient Express

Kars is the final route of the Eastern Express, which continues to be one of the most beautiful railway travel routes in the world with its scenic route. The train journey, which is especially popular in winter, offers beautiful views.

This trip from Ankara to Kars will allow you to see various tourist attractions. You should have this wonderful adventure at least once in your life.

Let's discover this train journey together, where you have two different options: the tourist and the classic Eastern Express!

What Is the Eastern Express Route? What Cities Does It Pass Through?

The journey starts from Ankara, passes through Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum and reaches Kars after about 24 hours. The route is the same for both train options, but the stopping times and locations of the stopping stations differ.

For example, the classic Eastern Express stops at a total of 52 stations because it is preferred for transportation purposes. Waiting times at the station are short because it only stops for passenger pick-up and drop-off.

The Tourist East Express stops at 25 stations because it is considered a tourist route rather than a transportation one. On the way to Kars, there is a break of about 3 hours in Erzincan and Erzurum. In the direction of Ankara, it stops about every 3 hours in Divriki, Sivas and Iliç. This gives you the opportunity to visit the areas that have been given a long break.

What are the East Express journey times and days?

The Classic Eastern Express runs every day of the week. The Tourist East Express runs from Ankara on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 15:55; from Kars on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It is also worth mentioning that the Tourist East Express will operate from Ankara from December 12, 2022 to March 20, 2023 and from Kars from December 14, 2022 to March 22, 2023.

The total journey time of the Eastern Express is about 26 hours, while the total journey time of the Tourist Eastern Express is about 32 hours due to the differences in the stop times.

What are the wagon differences between the Eastern Express and the Tourist Eastern Express?

First, let's specify the types of wagons:

• Pulman Wagon: Wagon with 1 double + 1 single seat in each row.
• Covered Belted Wagon: Seat wagon that can be converted into a bed in a room for 4 people. Clean sheets, sheets and pillows are provided by TCDD transportation. You can use the chairs as beds whenever you want.
• Bed wagon: a wagon with a bed for two, a mini fridge, a table and a sink.
• Dining car: a car with a restaurant section of the train with dining tables for 4 people.

The Classic Eastern Express has pulman (seat) carriages, covered carriages and dining carriages. The Tourist East Express train consists only of dining and sleeping carriages. In the dining cars, you can meet all your food and beverage needs. The restaurant section, which serves between 06:00 and 23:59, also sells snack biscuits and tea/coffee.

What are the prices of Eastern Express tickets? Where are the tickets sold?

Eastern Express ticket prices vary depending on the type of seat you choose. You can check the ticket prices below.

2022-2023 Eastern Express Pulman (seat) Wagon Ticket Prices are as follows:

Full passenger price: 189 Rupees

Young passengers between the ages of 13 and 26 Price: 161 TL

65 years and older (50% discount) Passenger price: 95 TL

Children between the ages of 7 and 12 Passenger price: 95 TL

Ticket prices for the 2022-2023 Eastern Express curved carriage:

Full passenger price: 339 Rupees

Young passengers between the ages of 13 and 26 Price: 311 TL

65 years and older (50% discount) Passenger price: 245 TL

Children between the ages of 7 and 12 Passenger price: 245 TL

The price of the sleeping compartment of the Tourist East Express is 3,100 TL. It's a hundred dollars.

(Two beds in one cabin are sold together. So if you buy a ticket for one person for the Tourist East Express, if you want to buy a ticket for two people, you pay this price. I know.

We can suggest a few different ways to get your ticket.

• The first of these. www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr You'll be able to buy tickets online at your address.
• You can get it at the ticket offices at the stations.
• You can buy your ticket from the tourist agencies.

To summarize in general terms:

The classic Eastern Express will be more economical and more suitable for crowded groups. You can have a pleasant journey in the four-seater compartment with the harness. You might consider buying games, laptops, and books to have fun in your spare time.

In addition to being more expensive, the Tourist East Express offers a comfortable journey. In a two-bed compartment, it will be a nice option for a train ride with great views. At long-term stops such as Erzurum and Erzincan, you can explore the region either by contracting with tour companies or on your own. We recommend that you bring an extra trash bag, a napkin, and a triple outlet.