Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Uraloğlu gave the good news that the Touristic Eastern Express, which offers the opportunity to discover the beauties of Eastern Anatolian cities, will start its journeys again on December 23.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu gave the good news that the Touristic Eastern Express, which takes citizens on a fairytale journey to discover the beauties of Eastern Anatolian cities and witness the postcard views of the mountains covered in white with snowfall, will start its services again on December 23.
Uraloğlu said in his statement that railways, which have strategic importance in Turkey's development goals, have contributed to the development of the country's economy and tourism throughout history.
Explaining that conventional train lines are fast, safe and economical alternatives in intercity transportation, Uraloğlu reported that railway transportation provides savings at individual and institutional levels, while also contributing to the revitalization of local economies by supporting intercity trade and logistics activities.
Stating that railways have an important place in the development of tourism as well as in freight and passenger transportation, Uraloğlu said, “Local and foreign tourists who want to see the natural beauties, cultural heritage and historical values of our country are experiencing a nostalgic travel experience in a fairy-tale journey.”
Minister Uraloğlu gave the good news that the Touristic Eastern Express, which has been serving between Ankara and Kars since 2019, will start its services again during these days when the winter season is intensifying, and noted the following:
“25 percent of train tickets are sold by TCDD Taşımacılık, the remaining tickets are sold through travel agencies.”
“The Touristic Eastern Express, which we will be sending off from the historical Ankara Train Station on December 23, will provide our passengers with an unforgettable winter travel experience in a warm and comfortable environment. Our train will stop in Erzincan, Erzurum, İliç, Divriği and Sivas, and we will offer local and foreign tourists the opportunity to witness the beauties of the cities and the postcard views of the mountains covered in white with snowfall. The tickets offered for sale for our citizens who want to witness the postcard views of the mountains covered in white with snowfall with the Touristic Doğru Express, which offers the opportunity to discover the beauties of Eastern Anatolian cities, are attracting great interest. 25 percent of the train tickets that will take passengers on a fairytale journey are offered for sale by TCDD Taşımacılık, while the remaining tickets are offered for sale through travel agencies. Passengers who purchase the tickets offered for sale by TCDD Taşımacılık cover all their expenses themselves, while the ticket prices offered for sale by travel agencies include food and beverage, accommodation, guidance, touristic tours and return expenses.”
"The Eastern Express and the Touristic Eastern Express are trains with different features.
Uraloğlu drew attention to the fact that the Eastern Express and the Touristic Eastern Express are different from each other and said that the Eastern Express, which consists of pullman (seated) and couchette (sleeper) wagons that make round trips every day, stops at 53 stations to pick up and drop off passengers and that the journey time is 26 hours.
Uraloğlu, who stated that the Touristic Eastern Express only serves tourists who want to see natural beauties and visit historical and cultural places during the winter season, noted that the Touristic Eastern Express, which departs from Ankara on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from Kars on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, offers the opportunity to get to know the local culture by stopping at long intervals in Erzincan and Erzurum on the Ankara-Kars route and in İliç, Divriği and Sivas on the Kars-Ankara route during its 33-hour journey.
"We are working on new projects based on incoming demands.”
Uraloğlu stated that every corner of Turkey has its own beauty and cultural richness, and said, “Our trains such as the Eastern Express, Touristic Eastern Express, Kars-Erzurum Touristic Regional Train, Southern Kurtalan Express, Touristic Diyarbakır Express and Van Lake Express attract great attention, especially from our youth. Passengers who experience a journey intertwined with history, nature and culture along the routes of these trains also have the opportunity to see the unique history of our country.”
“Lines such as the “Güller Express” and “Istanbul-Sofia Express” between Izmir and Burdur also have touristic value.”
Minister Uraloğlu, drawing attention to the fact that in addition to the existing routes, lines such as the “Güller Express” and “İstanbul-Sofia Express” between İzmir-Burdur also have touristic value, said, “Upon the demand from our passengers, we put the ‘Touristic Salt Express’ into service between Ankara-Çankırı. Upon the demand from our passengers, we are also working on new projects on the Adana-Belemedik and Ephesus-Selçuk routes. It makes us happy to offer the historical and cultural journey of our Mediterranean and Aegean regions to the service of our citizens.”
Uraloğlu stated that they continue their work without slowing down to enable more people to see the historical and natural beauties all around Turkey at more affordable prices, and added that for this purpose, conventional lines will be modernized and touristic train lines will be diversified in line with the 2035 and 2053 targets.
