1 week in Turkey
Spend 1 week in Turkey with a Eurail Pass! Within 7 days you can visit fascinating places like Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Besiktas and Cappadocia.
Turkey by Train
Discover Turkey by train - a patchwork of cultures combined with a tradition of hospitality. With your Eurail pass you can explore the diversity of Istanbul, experience one of the many action-packed outdoor adventures in Cappadocia or relax on the pristine beaches of Antalya. Turkey is a box of goodies for any travel enthusiast.
Train types in Turkey
The train network in Turkey is run by TCDD (Turkish Republic State Railways). Their trains cover a large part of the country, and connect all the major cities. Turkish train times aren't always easy to find online. Your best bet is to check the Turkish version of the TCDD timetable.
- Route Map
- Domestic Trains
- International Trains
- High-Speed
- Night Trains
Domestic Trains
Regional trains (Bölgesel)
Various routes throughout Turkey
Main line train (Anahat)
Faster connections between major cities
Bikes are sometimes allowed on trains. Please check at the station if a special ticket is required.
International Trains
Bosphorus Express
International train to Sofia, Bulgaria and Bucharest, Romania
Reservations are mandatory
High-speed train (Yüksek Hızlı)
Modern train that travels up to 250 km/h
Connects Istanbul, Konya and Ankara
Night Trains
Blue night train (Mavi Tren)
Travels from Ankara and Konya to Izmir
Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
Here are the average travel times between the bigger cities in Turkey. Reservation are recommended for all of these train journeys.
| Route | Travel time |
|---|---|
| Ankara to Izmir (Night train) |
15hr 20min |
| Istanbul to Ankara | 4 hr 20min |
| Istanbul to Izmir* | 9 hours |
| Istanbul to Konya | 4hr 30min |
| Route | Which train? | Travel time | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (via Dimitrovgrad, Serbia) to Bucharest (Romania) | Bosphorus Express | 14hr 10min | Required |
| Istanbul (via Dimitrovgrad, Serbia) to Sofia (Bulgaria)
|
Bosphorus Express | 5hr 13min | Required |
*You'll need to take a ferry from Istanbul to Bandirma (across the Sea of Marmara). From there, the train will take you to Izmir in 6 hours.
Reservations
Which trains in Turkey require reservations?
Reservations on Turkish trains are not mandatory. However, we do recommend making reservations for the high-speed train between Istanbul and Ankara, and other long-distance trains.
How can I make reservations for trains in Turkey?
At a ticket desk or self-service machine at Turkish train stations
You can make your reservations up to 15 days in advance
Get your Pass for Turkey
Turkey Pass
Spend your whole vacation exploring Turkey by rail.
Standard prices from $ 64
Global Pass
Be free to visit Turkey along with the other 32 Eurail countries.
Standard prices from $ 185
Tips and tricks for Turkey
Quick facts
Capital: Ankara
Population: 75.6 million
Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
Dialing code: +90
Go the last mile
Found yourself at the end of the line, but not at your destination? When public transportation ends, it's time to take matters into your own hands: rent a car for the last miles!
Eurailers get up to a 15% discount on all Avis retail prices.
You can find more information in the Terms & Conditions.
Get inspired
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