Eastern Express ticket prices announced

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that the Eastern Express has become a favorite for travelers and art enthusiasts seeking a different holiday option in recent years, saying, "An economical, comfortable, and safe transportation service allows for the discovery of the historical and natural beauties of Anatolia. This year, the Touristic Eastern Express services will begin on December 11, and ticket sales will start on November 1."

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that all preparations for the 2023-2024 season of the Touristic Eastern Express trains have been completed. Uraloğlu said, "Our Touristic Eastern Express trains will begin their services for the 2023-2024 season, departing from Ankara between 11.12.2023 and 08.03.2024 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from Kars between 13.12.2023 and 10.03.2024 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays."

Reaching many historical and touristic beauties, from the Ani Ruins in Kars to Lake Çıldır, via the Touristic Eastern Express is the most enjoyable part of the trip. The fact that many people, from photography enthusiasts to travelers, share their journeys on the Touristic Eastern Express on social media is increasingly driving demand for this train, and its fame is crossing borders. The Touristic Eastern Express, which was put into service to meet the increasing passenger demand on this route, offers opportunities to discover not only Kars but also Sivas, Erzurum, and Erzincan along the route.

In addition to these services, extra trips will be made for the New Year and semester periods, departing from Ankara on 31.12.2023, 20.01.2024, and 27.01.2024, and from Kars on 02.01.2024, 22.01.2024, and 29.01.2024. Accordingly, a total of 84 train services will be operated, with 42 in the Ankara-Kars direction and 42 in the Kars-Ankara direction.

Sightseeing stops will be made at Erzincan and Erzurum stations in the Ankara-Kars direction, and at İliç, Divriği, and Sivas stations in the Kars-Ankara direction.

The Touristic Eastern Express trains consist of 8 sleeping cars and 1 dining car, with each sleeping car having 10 compartments (rooms) and each room containing 2 beds. Tickets for 2 cars will be sold to individual passengers, and ticket sales for individual passengers will begin on November 1.

EASTERN EXPRESS TICKET PRICES

Touristic Eastern Express sleeping room prices vary periodically; the low-season room rate will be 6 thousand liras, the normal-season room rate will be 8 thousand liras, and the high-season room rate will be 12 thousand 500 liras. The lowest rate for individual sales is the room rate. A maximum of two people can travel in one room, but in addition to this, the travel of up to 2 children between the ages of 0-6 in the rooms will be free of charge.

The departure time for the Touristic Eastern Express in the Ankara-Kars direction is planned for 15:55, and the departure time for the Kars-Ankara direction is 22:20. The Touristic Eastern Express is scheduled for a 30-hour journey with a 164-minute stop in Erzincan and a 180-minute stop in Erzurum in the Ankara-Kars direction, and a 34-hour 30-minute journey with 180-minute stops each in İliç and Divriği and a 230-minute stop in Sivas in the Kars-Ankara direction. A total of 66 thousand 258 passengers have been transported by the Touristic Eastern Express since 2019.