Are you a cultural enthusiast looking for ways to explore Turkey? Choose the Turkey scenic train routes, a rare way to experience the soul of this country. Watch the snow-capped mountains, Anatolian plains, timeless towers and mesmerising lakes. Along with this, get to know about some of the best train journeys in Turkey and make your travel an experience rather than just a commute. Additionally, these trains cover everything from the long-distance routes to the lesser-known rail journeys with proper precautions and safety. So, step aboard and make some unforgettable stories while travelling across Turkey!
Top 7 Train Routes with Hypnotic Sceneries
Make your travel more exciting and enjoyable with the train journey in the Turkey tour package. Get to know all about some of the proven as well as best Turkish train routes for tourists before you visit some of the best destinations.
Starting Price: 1745 AED
Note: You have the option of customising your itinerary according to your travel plans!
South Express (Ankara-Diyarbakır) (Tickets Around: 355 TRY)
The South Express links Ankara and the historic city of Diyarbakır, travelling through the southeast part of Turkey. You can explore the historical bridges on the Tigris River, Kurdish culture and monuments that date back. Further, cover the journey in 22 hours, through the routes that highlight ancient cities and bridges, along with varied landscapes, at a very affordable price. Make the Turkey scenic train routes a part of the grand adventure.
Pamukkale Express (Eskişehir-Denizli) (Tickets Around: 280 TRY)
Craving some countryside views? Then hop on to this train, which travels between Eskişehir and Denizli within 9 hours. These 9 hours are coupled with a spell-binding view of the farmlands and fir-forested rolling hills as the train passes through the Anatolian countryside. Further, you will find the traces of the Iron Age Phrygian kings as the train passes through the valleys of the northern section trails.
Sivas-Samsun Railway (Tickets Around: 275 TRY)
Explore the 13th-century Seljuk-era architecture with this scenic 8-hour regional line. You will find it running 3 times a week between Sivas and the Black Sea port of Samsun. Hence, you must visit the Black Sea port of Samsun and get to see the Amisos Treasures, full of golden artefacts. Certainly, a cherry on the cake is to watch these moments, so capture them as the train passes the Canık Mountains.
Eastern Express (Ankara-Kars) (Tickets Around: 400 TRY)
This is a classic Eastern Express which travels through the high plateaus and rugged landscapes between 2 renowned locations in Turkey. Generally, it takes around 26 hours to travel from Ankara to Kars on this train. Further, you can book Pullman seating or shared sleeper couchettes in the Eastern Express or 2-berth private sleeper compartments in the Touristic Eastern Express. Undeniably, this is said to be one of the best train journeys in Turkey.
Ankara-Kurtalan (Güney Kurtalan Express)
Ride on the overnight train to be part of a timeless adventure. This train runs between Ankara and Kurtalan while passing through Malatya, Diyarbakir, Kirikkale, Kayseri, Sivas and Batman. Moreover, the train runs daily, except on Tuesday and Sunday, from Ankara, covering approximately 1,200 km in a day. However, please note that accommodations and transportation are very limited.
Roses Express (İzmir-Isparta) (Tickets Around: 320 TRY)
The Roses Express is the prime route that serves as a treat for all the classical history lovers. The journey is around 10 hours across the coastal Aegean plains and into the hill country of western Anatolia to explore the region’s ancient ruins. Moreover, the train calls at Selçuk station, which is near the UNESCO-listed Ephesus ruins, and Denizli station. The last resort, Isparta, is the mountaintop ruins of Sagalassos.
Lake Van Express (Ankara-Tatvan) (Tickets Around: 420-1,590 TRY)
Travel from Ankara to Tatvan with the Lake Van Express, where you will pass the rock-pitted plateaus, vast lakes and farmlands. Wave to the shining waters and dancing orchards as you cross the Euphrates River through the Karakaya Dam section. The best Turkey train trips are in spring and autumn. Moreover, the travelling time will be around 26 hours.
Tips and Tricks for Turkey Scenic Train Routes
- Check the schedules and book tickets for long-distance trains in advance for more comfort and safety.
- Sleepers or couchettes are better and more viable options for the overnight journeys.
- Carry change in Turkish lira to make small purchases, tip people or for the stations.
- Take a bus for commuting, as the bus terminals are often connected to railway stations.
- Sort your tour by getting the Turkey visa assistance with Travel Saga Tourism.
- Use greetings like ‘Merhaba’ (Hello), ‘İyi günler’ (Good day), and ‘Teşekkür ederim’ (Thank you) to interact with the locals.
- You will find major facilities like Wi-Fi, AC, luggage space and curtains in all the modern trains.
- Only use the designated areas on stations and trains to smoke. Be mindful of the surroundings, and do not smoke at any other place.
- Carry snacks and water with you, as there are not many facilities to get these things on the train. Avoid using or filling the tap water.
Watch the video below for a real-life glimpse of the tour experience.
Conclusion
Get ready to travel to this magical country and ride on some of the best train journeys in Turkey. Along with the ancient civilisation and the Islamic heritage, you will also get to watch some hypnotic scenes on the train tours. Slow down a bit and just enjoy the Turkey scenic train routes with some snacks and a lot of adventure. Further, you can explore the tour package options with Travel Saga Tourism to make the trip smoother and better.
