![Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey](/content/dam/images/mastheads/Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.adaptive.767.0.jpg)
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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. TCDD (Turkish Republic State Railways) operates passenger trains all over the country. The train is a comfortable way to travel between cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
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
![Map with main train connections in Turkey](/content/dam/images/interrail/turkey.adaptive.767.1627045160545.jpg)
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.
Turkey has daily international trains from Istanbul to Bulgaria and Romania, offering a comfortable connection to the rest of the Eurail network.
International Trains
Bosphorus Express
- Istanbul Halkali – Plovdiv – Sofia
- Runs daily all year round
- Comfortable modern Turkish couchette and sleeping cars
- Reservations are mandatory
- Istanbul Halkali – Veliko Tarnovo – Ruse – Bucharest
- Runs daily only during summer season (June 21st till October 9th)
- Comfortable modern Turkish couchette and sleeping cars
- Reservations are mandatory
The train from Istanbul to Bucharest and Sofia starts at Istanbul Halkali station. The best way to get here is by metro/Marmaray train. It runs from the Eastern side, underneath the Bosphorus strait, to the Western side of the city and terminates at Halkali. Eurail Passes are not valid on Marmaray trains.
High-speed train YHT (Yüksek Hızlı)
- A growing network of high speed lines
- Modern train that travels up to 250 km/h
- The following lines are currently operational
- Istanbul – Eskişehir – Ankara
- Istanbul – Eskişehir – Konya – Karaman
- Ankara – Konya – Karaman
- Ankara – Sivas
YHT trains currently serve five stations in the Istanbul metro area: Halkalı, Bakırköy, Söğütlüçeşme, Bostancı, and Pendik. Bakırköy and Söğütlüçeşme are closest to the city centre and well connected by metro and suburban (Marmaray) trains
Night Trains
Turkey has an extensive network of night trains, stretching out to all corners of the country. Trains consist of modern airconditioned carriages with comfortable pullman seats, sleepers and couchettes. Make sure to arrange your reservations in advance, trains generally sell out.
- Ankara Ekspresi
- Istanbul – Eskişehir - Ankara
- Good alternative when High Speed Trains (YHT) sell out
- Daily Doğu Ekspresi*
- Ankara – Kayseri – Sivas – Erzincan – Erzurum – Kars
- Highly scenic route along the Eufrates river
- Daily Vangölü
- Ankara – Kayseri – Sivas – Malatya – Elazig – Tatvan
- Take a ferry to Van across the enormous lake Van
- Twice a week
- Güney Kurtalan
- Ankara – Kayseri – Sivas – Malatya – Diyarbakir – Batman – Kurtalan
- 5 times a week
- Blue night train (Mavi Tren)
- Ankara – Izmir
- Konya – Izmir
- Daily
*Next to the Doğu Ekspresi, there is another train called the ‘Turistik Doğu Ekspresi’. This train is not valid for passholders
Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
Here are the average travel times between the bigger cities in Turkey. Reservations are recommended for all of these train journeys.
Route | Travel time |
---|---|
Istanbul to Ankara (YHT) | 4h 30m |
Ankara to Izmir (Night train) | 12h 35m |
Istanbul to Izmir* | 9h |
Istanbul to Konya (YHT) | 4h 45m |
Ankara to Kars (Dogu Express) | 26h 30m |
Ankara to Van (Vangölü Express) | 26h 45m |
Ankara to Konya (YHT) | 1h 45m |
Ankara to Sivas (YHT) | 2h 30m |
*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.
Route | Which train? | Travel time | Reservations |
---|---|---|---|
Istanbul to Bucharest (Romania) | Bosphorus Express | 19h 45m | Required |
Istanbul to Sofia (Bulgaria) | Bosphorus Express | 12h 45m | Required |
Reservations
Not possible through Eurail reservation self-service system
Locally at the train station
Good to know
High speed (YHT) and night trains require reservations that can only be booked at railway stations in Turkey. They generally sell out, so make sure to make a reservation a few 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 $ 233
Tips and tricks for Turkey
Quick facts
Capital: Ankara
Population: 75.6 million
Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
Dialing code: +90
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