Türkiye's Touristic Eastern Express completes its season

Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, announced that the Touristic Eastern Express operating on the Ankara-Kars route—considered one of the world’s most beautiful railway lines—served 10,166 passengers during the 2025–2026 winter season, completing its season.

In a written statement, Uraloğlu shared details of the season operated by TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ. He noted that the train’s final journey of the season, from Kars to Ankara, took place on March 3, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

“Operating along the Ankara-Kars route, one of the world’s most scenic railway lines, the Touristic Eastern Express served 10,166 passengers during the 2025–2026 winter season,” he said.

Uraloğlu also highlighted that since 2019, the train has introduced people of all ages and from all regions to the unique nature and culture of Anatolia, attracting strong interest each year.

60 trips completed this season

Uraloğlu emphasized that the express, popular not only with domestic but also foreign tourists, has become one of the most effective ways to showcase Turkey’s richness by rail.

“To date, more than 91,000 travel and photography enthusiasts have experienced unforgettable journeys on the Touristic Eastern Express,” he said.

The train began the season on December 22, 2025, completing 60 trips: 30 in the Ankara-Kars direction and 30 from Kars to Ankara.

He added that the train provides services with eight sleeping cars and one dining car.

“On the Ankara-Kars route, the train made tourism stops in Erzincan for 2 hours 30 minutes and in Erzurum for 4 hours. On the Kars-Ankara route, stops were made in İliç for 3 hours, Divriği for 2 hours 30 minutes, and Sivas for 3 hours. During these stops, passengers were introduced to the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the cities along the route,” Uraloğlu said.

126 university students hosted

Uraloğlu also noted that, as part of the U-FEST program organized by the Ministry at universities, 126 students selected in a lottery traveled on the Touristic Eastern Express.

He emphasized that the youth had the opportunity to explore both Anatolia’s cultural and natural heritage and Türkiye’s railways.

“Within the UFEST Transport Youth Festivals, our university students, under the theme ‘Meeting the Touristic East with UFEST Youth,’ participated in workshops where they closely learned about the railway sector. We enriched their journey with a program that was both enjoyable and educational. During the trip, we also considered their observations and suggestions regarding onboard services, station stops, and facilities. Their feedback is extremely important to us, as we need the vision of young people while building the future of railways,” Uraloğlu said.