Touristic Eastern Express Concludes Successful Winter Season
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the Touristic Eastern Express, operating between Ankara and Kars and recognized as one of the world’s most scenic railway routes, has completed its 2025-2026 winter season by serving 10,166 passengers.
Highlights of the 2025-2026 Season
According to Minister Uraloğlu, the final journey of the season was made from Kars to Ankara on March 3, 2026. The train, managed by TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ, continues to attract both domestic and international tourists, introducing the cultural and natural richness of Turkey by rail.
Passenger Numbers and Route Details
The service carried out 60 trips during the season, starting on December 22, with 30 journeys in each direction between Ankara and Kars. The train featured eight sleeper cars and a dining car, providing a comfortable experience for travelers. Along the route, the train made extended stops for tourism purposes—2.5 hours in Erzincan and 4 hours in Erzurum on the Ankara-Kars route, and 3 hours in İliç, 2.5 hours in Divriği, and 3 hours in Sivas on the Kars-Ankara return. These stops allowed passengers to explore the historic and cultural sites of each city.
Special Program for University Students
This season, 126 university students were given the opportunity to travel on the Touristic Eastern Express as part of the U-FEST initiative organized by the Ministry. Selected through a lottery, these students participated in workshops themed “Meeting on the Touristic Eastern Express with UFEST Youth,” enabling them to learn about the railway sector while experiencing the journey. Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that feedback from young travelers is valued for the future development of Turkey’s railways.
