Turkish high-speed train
 

Turkey's YHT high-speed train, linking Ankara, Konya, Eskişehir and (since 2014) the outskirts of Istanbul.

A great way to get around Turkey!

Guidebooks tell you that Turkey has a good bus network, but do you really want to spend 12 hours in a bus?  When you can travel on an inexpensive air-conditioned train, with a bed in cosy private sleeper or comfy Pullman seat with room to move, through fantastic scenery unspoilt by roadside development.  Travellers who take the train rave about their experience.  Much of the network was built by the Germans, and the joke goes that they were paid by the mile, hence the twisting nature of Turkish rail lines.  But now high-speed rail is here.  The first bit of high-speed line opened in 2009 and excellent high-speed trains now link Istanbul with Ankara in 4h15, Istanbul with Konya in 4h40, Ankara with Konya in 1h44.  That beats a bus, any day.

Savvy travellers will use a train for long distances, for example, Istanbul to Ankara or Konya, Ankara to Izmir or Kars.  Then use a short bus trip to reach places off the rail network, for example the South coast resorts or Cappadocia.

small bullet point  How to buy tickets

small bullet point  What are Turkish trains like?    

Train schedules & fares

small bullet point  Istanbul - Ankara

 

small bullet point  Ankara - Istanbul

small bullet point  Istanbul - Bursa - Ankara

 

small bullet point  Ankara - Izmir

small bullet point  Istanbul - Konya - Adana & Antalya

  small bullet point  Ankara - Denizli (Pamukkale)

small bullet point  Istanbul - Denizli (Pamukkale)

 

small bullet point  Ankara - Konya, Karaman, Alanya, Antalya

small bullet point  Istanbul - Göreme (Cappadocia)

 

small bullet point  Ankara - Adana

small bullet point  Istanbul - Izmir

 

small bullet point  Ankara - Erzurum, Kars, Eastern Turkey

small bullet point  Istanbul - Edirne - Kapikule

  small bullet point  Ankara - Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye

small bullet point  Istanbul - Erzurum, Kars, Eastern Turkey

 

small bullet point  Izmir - Selçuk (Ephesus, Kusadasi) - Denizli (Pamukkale)

small bullet point  Istanbul - Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye

 

small bullet point  Izmir - Konya

small bullet point  Sivas-Samsun  

small bullet point  Izmir - Ankara

small bullet point  Trains to Iskenderun & Mersin & Tarsus

 

small bullet point  Izmir - Istanbul

International travel

small bullet point  Istanbul to/from Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Paris & London

small bullet point  Istanbul to/from Sofia, Belgrade, Zagreb, Munich, Paris & London

small bullet point  Turkey, to/from:  Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Iran, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq & Ukraine

Other useful information

small bullet point  Useful country information

small bullet point  Travel insurance, mobile data, VPN

small bullet point  Suggested hotels in Istanbul

Interactive map:  Click a route for train times & fares...

Interactive map of train routes in Turkey Istanbul & Ankara to Cappadocia What are Turkish mainline trains like? What are YHT trains ike? Ankara to Adana train service Istanbul-Bursa-Eskisehir-Ankara Sivas-Samsun regional train Trains service to & within Syria Ankara - Eastern Turkey train service Locals trains Adana-Iskenderun Local trains Adana-Tarsus-Mersin Bus & ferry to Cyprus Istanbul-Konya-Adana Ankara-Konya-Karaman YHT trains Bus connections to south coast resorts Bus services to south coast resorts Local trains Izmir-Ephesus-Pamukkale Ankara-Izmir train service Istanbul-Izmir Ferry+train service Istanbul-Eskisehir-Ankara YHT trains Istanbul to/from Sofia, Bucharest, Paris, London

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Useful country information

Train operator:  

TCDD (Türkiye Cumhuryeti Devlet Demiryollan), www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or use their booking page ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.

How to buy tickets online

To check any European train time: bahn.hafas.de

 
 

Time zone:

GMT+3.  No longer any daylight saving time, as of 2016.

Dialling code:

+90

Currency:

£1 = 38 Turkish Lira,  €1 = 32 TL, $1 = 30 TL.  Currency converter

Tourist information:   

www.turizm.gov.tr      www.turkeytravelplanner.com      Best guidebooks

Hotels:

Find hotels in Turkey.  Hotel reviews: www.tripadvisor.com  

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

Visas:

Since 2020, UK & EU citizens no longer need a Turkish visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Page last updated:

13 March 2024


How to buy tickets

Option 1, buy online from Turkish Railways

You can buy tickets using the Turkish Railways (TCDD) website www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr, or rather it's booking page, ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.

See the instructions on how to use it below.

It will book most high-speed & long distance trains within Turkey (but not international trains), including seats, couchettes & sleepers.  You print out your reservation details and pick up the tickets at the station in Turkey.  It's quirky, but works and happily accepts non-Turkish credit cards even though most Turkish bus booking websites don't.  Online reservations for Turkish trains open 30 days before departure for some trains, 15 days ahead for others, you won't see any trains if you look too far ahead.

Option 2, buy tickets through a reliable agency

If buying online proves difficult, you can buy Turkish train tickets in advance by emailing or calling one of these authorised travel agencies in Istanbul.  If you're going to eastern Turkey, sleepers & couchettes on trains east of Ankara sell out almost as soon as booking opens, so I strongly recommend using one of these agencies as they know how it all works and give you the best chance of securing berths.

Amber Travel, see www.ambertravel.com/buy-turkish-train-tickets-in-turkey.  They'll take bookings even before reservations open and make the booking as soon as it opens.  They take payment via credit card or PayPal and email you the tickets.  Amber Travel comes highly recommended by multiple Seat 61 travellers, and will go out of their way to get hold of a sleeper for you if they can.

Backpackers Travel, Yeni Akbiyik Caddesi No. 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, telephone +90 (212) 638 63 43, fax +90 212 638 39 22, website www.backpackerstravel.net.

I have yet to receive any reports about Backpackers, but it's a well-known agency.  Neither agency can book International trains from Turkey in their capacity as official TCDD agents, but they may be willing to buy tickets for international trains on your behalf as a private transaction, for a booking fee.

Option 3, buy tickets at the station

It's easy to buy tickets at the station when you get to Turkey.  Most major stations have a computerised ticketing & reservation system, so can book any journey in Turkey.  It's not usually difficult to get seats on the day of travel or a day or two before, but sleepers (and even couchettes) can get fully-booked weeks ahead, so pre-book those either online or through one of the agencies suggested below.  Stations accept Turkish lira cash, and may now accept credit cards.  Booking for Turkish domestic trains opens 30 days before departure for some trains, 15 days ahead for others. 

Tip:  If you're over 60, ask for a senior ticket (yaşlı bilet) to get 15% off, or 50% if over 65.  If you're under 26 ask for a youth ticket (genç bilet) to get 15% off.

  Haydarpasa Station in Istanbul, for trains to Ankara, Konya Denizli & eastern Turkey.  Photo courtesy of Stuart Baker

Haydarpaşa station, seen from the deck of a Bosphorus ferry.  Note the fire-damaged roof!  Haydarpaşa is being redeveloped as the terminal for high-speed trains to Ankara & Konya at some point.

How to check train times & fares

You can check train times & fares at the Turkish Railways (TCDD) website, www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr

The English version doesn't work (indeed their whole website goes down occasionally).  So leave it in Turkish and be prepared to use the auto-translate feature of the Google Chrome browser.

For written timetables for high-speed trains between Istanbul, Eskişehir, Konya, Ankara click YHT.

For written timetables for classic long-distance trains such as Ankara-Izmir, Ankara-Kars, click Ana Hat.

For written timetables for regional trains such as Izmir-Selcuk-Denizli or Adana-Mersin-Iskenderun, click Bölgesel.

For the online booking system either to buy tickets or check times for both YHT and classic long-distance trains, go to the EYBIS booking page, ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.  Before buying tickets, read the advice here.

There are no trains to Antalya, Marmaris, Bodrum, Alanya, nor to Göreme in Cappadocia, you'll need a combination of train+bus to reach these places as shown here.

Haydarpaşa station

Trains for Asian destinations used to leave from the historic Haydarpaşa Station (pictured above right), a ferry ride across the Bosphorus from Sirkeci Station where the European trains arrive.  Haydarpaşa station was built in 1908, a gift from the German Kaiser to the Ottoman Sultan, and named after one of the Sultan's generals.  It was closed to long-distance trains in February 2012 when engineering work started to rebuild the rail approaches to Istanbul in connection with both the new high-speed line to Ankara and the new Bosphorus rail tunnel.  However, welcome news is that TCDD ultimately want to redevelop the station as the terminal for the high-speed trains to Ankara and Konya.  In the meantime, the station is still worth a visit, trains or no trains.  Map of Istanbul showing Haydarpaşa & Sirkeci stations.

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What are Turkish trains like?

High-speed trains: Yuksek Hizli Tren (YHT)

A pleasure to ride on and as good as anything in Western Europe, new 250 km/h high-speed trains operate on the Istanbul to Ankara, Ankara-Konya & Eskisehir-Konya routes and from April 2023, the Ankara-Sivas route.  Known as YHT, Yüksek Hızlı Treni, they currently come in two varieties, the original type designed by Spanish company CAF and the newer type designed by German company Siemens.  Both types feature comfortable seats in Economy and Business classes.  YHT high-speed trains started running from Istanbul (initially from a suburban station called Pendik, 25km east of Istanbul) to Ankara on 26 July 2014, extended to Söğütlüçeşme in central Istanbul in March 2019.

YHT trains built by CAF

YHT train at Ankara   2nd class on YHT train

A YHT train of the type designed by CAF.

 

Economy (2nd) class seats on a CAF-built YHT.

YHT train 1st class   Bar car on a YHT train

Business (1st) class seats on a CAF-designed YHT.

 

Cafe-bar on a CAF-designed YHT.

YHT trains built by Siemens

YHT of the Siemens Velaro type, at Ankara   1st class seats on a YHT of the Siemens Velaro type

A YHT train of the type built by Siemens, at Ankara.

 

Business class.  Photos courtesy Daniel Brvnišťan.

2nd class seats on a YHT of the Siemens Velaro type   The bar on a YHT of the Siemens Velaro type

Economy class.  Photos courtesy Daniel Brvnišťan.

 

The bar - there is also a restaurant area.

Watch the YHT video

Classic long-distance trains

Turkey's conventional trains are also a pleasant surprise.  Cheap, spacious, and mostly now composed of modern air-conditioned TVS2000 coaches like the ones shown below, which are as good as any regular train in western Europe.  TVS2000 trains run from Ankara to Izmir, Adana, Erzurum, Kars & Eastern Turkey, vastly superior to a cramped bus.  They have several types of accommodation to choose from:

TVS2000 Pullman seats cars

Turkish Railways' air-conditioned TVS2000 cars are modern, clean & carpeted.  The reclining Pullman seats (below right) are more spacious & comfortable than any cramped bus seat, and the coaches ride on smooth air suspension.  These seats are arranged 1+2 across the car width, shown on the TCDD app & website as 2+1 Pulman.

A modern TVS2000 train at Istanbul Haydarpasa   Reclining Pullman seats on a modern Turkish train

TVS2000 restaurant cars

Restaurant cars are available on a number of trains.  They serve hot & cold drinks, snacks and some hot dishes, but not alcohol.  Feedback appreciated.

Inside a TVS2000 restaurant car   Trains in Turkey:  A TVS2000 restaurant car

TVS2000 sleeping-cars

Turkish overnight trains use modern air-conditioned TVS2000 sleeping-cars.  Sleeper compartments have beds and a washbasin, soap and towels provided, and even a small fridge containing complimentary mineral water, soft drinks and snacks.  There's even a shower at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert from a bedroom at night to a private sitting room with armchairs and small table for the daytime part of a journey.  Trains with TVS2000 sleeping-cars include the night trains from Ankara to Istanbul, Ankara to Izmir, the Cukurova Express from Ankara to Adana, and the trains from Ankara to Erzurum, Kars, Diyarbakir & Tatvan.  Travelling in these sleepers is a great way to travel that saves on hotel bills, too.  Compartments are private:  If you book 1 person, the price is for a whole single bed compartment.  If you book 2 people, the price is shown for each person sharing a 2-berth.

2-bed sleeper in night mode   TVS2000 sleeper in night mode, Istanbul-Ankara, Istanbul-Denizli, & Izmir-Ankara night trains.  Courtesy of Shigeki Murao

A TVS2000 sleeping-car at the rear of the Ankara to Adana night train.

 

A cosy 2-berth sleeper.

TVS2000 Sleeping-car corridor, Ankara-Kars, Izmir-Ankara night trains   TVS2000 sleeping-car in day mode, Istanbul-Ankara, Istanbul-Denizli, & Izmir-Ankara night trains.   Turkish sleeping-car compartment

Above left, the corridor.  Above centre and right, the same 2-bed sleeper in daytime mode with seats folded out and beds folded away.  Interior photos courtesy of Shigeki Murao.

TVS2000 couchette cars

Couchettes are basic padded bunks, with 4 bunks per compartment.  Couchettes convert to ordinary seating compartments for the daytime part of a journey.  TCDD used to offer couchettes without bedding on certain routes, but these days all couchettes are örtülü kuşet (covered couchette), with sheet, blanket and pillow provided.  Most overnight trains such as the Eskisehir-Izmir, Ankara-Adana, Arifiye/Eskisehir-Konya-Adana and Ankara-Eastern Turkey trains now have modern air-conditioned TVS2000 couchette cars like the one below.

Turkish couchette car   4-berth couchette compartment   4-berth couchette compartment

TVS2000 air-conditioned 4-berth couchettes, shown in daytime position with the berths folded against the wall & in night mode with beds folded out, but not made up,  Pillows, sheet and blankets are supplied.

For more information, the train travel section of www.turkeytravelplanner.com is highly recommended.

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Istanbul to Ankara

The first section of the Istanbul-Ankara high-speed line opened in March 2009, when 250 km/h high-speed YHT trains (Yüksek Hızlı Treni) started running between Ankara & Eskişehir, see the photos & video above.  In July 2014 high-speed YHT trains were extended to Pendik, a suburban station 25km east of Istanbul, and in March 2019 trains were further extended to Söğütlüçeşme in central Istanbul on the eastern side of the Bosphorus, just one mile southeast of the old Haydarpaşa station.  Two trains per day are extend through the Marmaray Tunnel under the Bosphorus to/from Bakırköy and Halkali on the suburban network on the western side of Istanbul, although from a visitor's point of view these don't call at Istanbul Sirkeci or anywhere conveniently central on the western side of the Bosphorus.

 Istanbul ► Ankara

 Notes:

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

Sleeper

 Halkali depart

-

-

-

07:10

07:50

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

22:00

 Bakırköy depart

-

-

-

07:30

0808

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

22:23

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme depart

-

06:00

07:15

08:02

08:40

-

10:40

11:40

13:00

14:10

-

14:50

16:35

17:30

18:30

19:30

20:40

23:11

 Izmit

-

07:23

|

09:25

10:12

-

12:14

13:08

14:34

15:33

-

16:18

17:55

18:57

20:00

20:50

22:06

00:36

 Eskişehir

06:35

09:03

10:05

11:05

11:47

12:55

13:48

14:48

16:06

17:14

18:00

17:51

19:37

20:37

21:41

22:25

23:44

03:50

 Ankara arrive

07:59

10:27

11:26

12:29

13:08

14:19

15:09

16:12

17:27

18:38

19:24

19:15

20:58

22:01

23:05

23:46

-

06:58

 Ankara ► Istanbul

Notes:

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

Sleeper

 Ankara depart

-

06:00

06:50

08:00

08:50

09:30

11:10

12:05

13:10

14:00

15:10

16:30

17:20

18:20

19:30

22:00

 Eskişehir

06:40

07:23

08:16

09:23

10:16

10:51

12:36

13:30

14:38

15:23

16:36

17:53

18:46

19:47

20:54

01:14

 Izmit

08:14

|

09:50

10:52

11:51

-

14:10

15:01

16:11

16:53

18:13

19:21

20:20

21:23

|

04:32

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme arrive: 

09:47

10:07

11:12

12:21

13:13

-

15:43

16:27

17:43

18:18

19:53

20:52

21:41

22:43

23:46

05:56

 Bakırköy arrive: 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

21:28

22:13

-

-

06:28

 Halkali arrive: 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

21:46

22:33

-

-

06:45

Söğütlüçeşme is a suburban station 2km (1.2 miles) east of the old Haydarpaşa station, used as the terminal for YHTs since 13 March 2019, see location map.

To reach Sögütlüçesme from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul Sirkeci station through the Bosphorus rail tunnel 3 stops to Söğütlüçeşme.  These run every 8 minutes, journey time 11 minutes, fare TL 50 (€1.30, €1.55) using any contactless credit card to tap in & out, although it's cheaper if you use an Istanbulkart.  Alternatively, you can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and walk.  It's hoped that high-speed trains will eventually be extended to a refurbished Haydarpaşa station.

Ankara station (Ankara Gar) is in central Ankara, see location map, unlike the bus terminal which is 2-3 miles outside the city or the airport 15-20 miles outside.

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren = 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Sleeper = ANKARA EXPRESS sleeper train, with TVS2000 sleeping-cars (1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin) and TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

Istanbul to Ankara on the high-speed line is around 533 km or 331 miles.

How much does it cost?

 

YHT

Economy

class

YHT

Business

class

sleeper train

Pullman

seat

2-bed sleeper

per person

1-bed

sleeper

 Istanbul to Ankara: 

TL 430

TL 645

TL 350

TL 1,055

TL 1,475

 Istanbul to Eskişehir: 

TL 280

TL 420

TL 128

-

-

 Ankara to Eskişehir: 

TL 225

TL 340

TL 90

-

-

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

Economy class seats on a Turkish YHT high-speed train   A high-speed YHT train at Ankara station

The new face of Turkish train travel:  Above left, Eskişehir station.  Above right, a YHT about to leave Eskişehir.  See more photos & video above.

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Istanbul to Bursa to Ankara

An alternative route between Istanbul and Ankara is to take the regular fast passenger ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Bursa, then the special bus from Bursa to Eskişehir which runs in connection with 250 km/h high-speed train departures to Ankara.  This route is also pretty scenic, taking you up the lush green slopes of Mount Uludag (the Olympus of Bithynia).

Step 1, Istanbul to Bursa by fast ferry

Fast passenger ferries sail from Istanbul's Eminönü ferry terminal near Sirkeci station to Bursa's Mudanya ferry terminal, 29km north of Bursa city.  On a typical weekday, you'll find ferry departures like the ones shown below, but they vary by day of the week and time of year, so check sailing times for your date of travel at budo.burulas.com.tr.

Alternatively, there are a couple of daily fast ferries to Bursa from Istanbul's Yenikapi ferry terminal in the south of the city, and these also carry vehicles.  Departures from Istanbul are at 07:30 (daily except Sundays), 17:30 (daily) and 20:30 (Fri & Sun only).  Journey time 1h30.  Departures from Bursa are at 07:30 (daily except Sundays), 18:00 (daily), 20:30 (Fri & Sun only).  See www.ido.com.tr to check ferry times and fares from Yenikapi to Bursa.

Economy class seats on a Turkish YHT high-speed train   On board the fast ferry from Istanbul to Bursa

These are IDO fast ferries at Bursa's IDO ferry terminal ferry terminal. Budo's ferries are similar.

Step 2, Bursa-Eskişehir by bus, Eskişehir-Ankara by high-speed train

A bus company called Kamil Koc runs buses from Bursa bus station (otogar) to Eskişehir railway station specifically to connect with YHT high-speed train departures to Ankara.  The bus arrives right outside the station entrance at Eskişehir 15 minutes before the train leaves.  Just make sure you board the bus to Eskişehir station (Gar TCDD), not a similar bus to Eskişehir Otogar.  These are example times, check current times online.

 Bursa Eskişehir (► Ankara)

 

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

 Bursa Otogar depart by bus

08:30

12:20

15:30

18:15

 Eskişehir TCDD station arrive by bus

10:45

14:35

17:45

20:15

For trains Eskişehir -Ankara, see the Istanbul-Eskişehir -Ankara timetable above.  Only a few minutes is needed to connect between bus & train.

 (Ankara ►) Eskişehir Bursa

 

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

 Eskişehir TCDD station depart by bus

09:30

12:45

15:35

19:50

 Bursa Otogar arrive by bus

11:40

15:00

17:40

22:05

A high-speed YHT train at Ankara station   A high-speed YHT train at Ankara station

Bursa-Ankara bus-train combo:  A Kamil Koc bus takes you from Bursa Otogar to Eskişehir TCDD railway station to connect with the YHT to Ankara.    Above left, a YHT gets a wash at Ankara.  Above right, the Kamil Koc bus outside Eskisehir station.

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Istanbul to Konya, Adana, Antalya

YHT high-speed trains now link Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme station (2km or 1.2 miles southeast of the old Haydarpaşa station) with Konya in just 4h40.

A comfortable express train called the Toros Express connects Konya with Adana over the curvaceous and very scenic classic line.

Connecting buses run between Konya and Antalya & Alanya in connection with the YHT trains, a much better way travel than by bus all the way from Istanbul.

These are example times, check current times online.

 Istanbul ► Konya ► Adana, Alanya, Antalya

 Every day:

YHT

Bus

YHT

Bus

Toros

YHT

Bus

Bus

YHT

 Halkali depart:

-

-

08:20

-

-

-

-

-

-

 Bakırköy depart:

-

-

08:??

-

-

-

-

-

-

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme depart:

06:30

-

09:10

-

-

12:10

-

-

19:00

 Eskişehir depart:

09:36

-

12:27

-

 -

15:12

-

-

22:08

 Konya arrive:

11:22

-

14:14

-

-

16:58

-

-

23:54

 Konya depart:

-

13:20

-

14:20

15:20

-

17:20

20:20

-

 Adana arrive:

-

|

-

|

22:06

-

|

|

-

 Alanya arrive by bus

-

|

-

19:20

-

 

|

01:00

-

 Antalya arrive by bus

-

18:35

-

-

-

-

22:35

-

-

 Antalya, Alanya, Adana ► Konya ► Istanbul

 Every day:

YHT

Bus

YHT

Toros

Bus

YHT

Bus

YHT

 Antalya depart by bus:

-

-

-

-

-

-

13:00

-

 Alanya depart by bus:

-

08:00

-

-

12:00

-

|

-

 Adana depart:

-

|

-

07:30

|

-

|

-

 Konya arrive:

-

12:10

-

14:36

17:00

-

18:15

-

 Konya depart:

06:00

-

12:10

-

-

17:15

-

18:30

 Eskişehir arrive:

07:49

-

13:59

 -

-

19:05

-

20:21

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme arrive:

10:54

-

17:11

-

-

22:04

-

23:10

 Bakırköy arrive:

-

-

-

-

-

22:??

-

-

 Halkali arrive:

-

-

-

-

-

22:54

-

-

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren, 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Toros = Toros Express, runs every day, TVS2000 pullman reclining seats cars & normal compartment cars, runs via the classic line.  Booking opens 30 days ahead.

Bus = connecting air-conditioned coach, laid on specifically to connect with YHT train. In Konya, the bus leaves from outside the station.

Söğütlüçeşme is a suburban station just 2km (1.2 miles) east of the old Haydarpaşa station, used as the terminal for YHTs since March 2019, see location map.

To reach Sögütlüçesme from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul Sirkeci station through the Bosphorus rail tunnel 3 stops to Söğütlüçeşme.  These run every 8 minutes, journey time 11 minutes, fare TL 50 (€1.30, €1.55) using any contactless credit card to tap in & out, although it's cheaper if you use an Istanbulkart.  Alternatively, you can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and walk.  It's hoped that high-speed trains will eventually be extended to a refurbished Haydarpaşa station.

Halkali & Bakırköy:  One train per day now extends through the Marmaray Tunnel under the Bosphorus to/from Bakırköy and Halkali on the suburban network on the western side of Istanbul, although from a visitor's point of view these don't call at Istanbul Sirkeci or anywhere conveniently central on the western side of the Bosphorus.

Check train times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.  Check bus times at www.ozkaymak.com.tr.

Map of Istanbul showing station location   Connections to Tarsus & Mersin   Connections to Iskenderun

How much does it cost?

 

Economy class

Business class

Pullman seat

 Istanbul - Konya by YHT

TL 630

TL 945

-

 Eskişehir - Konya by YHT

TL 290

TL 435

-

 Konya - Adana by Toros Express

-

-

TL 200

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.  If going from Istanbul to Adana, you need to book each train as a separate transaction.

Scenery from the train from Istanbul to Adana.

The snow-capped Taurus Mountains, seen from the Içanadolou Mavi Tren from Konya to Adana.  Courtesy of Conor Meleady.

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Istanbul to Denizli for Pamukkale

The Pamukkale Express is the smart way to reach Pamukkale.  The old overnight Pamukkale Express from Istanbul to Denizli was cancelled several years ago due to work on the new Istanbul-Ankara high-speed line.  But from January 2015, it's back!  In its current form you take a modern high-speed YHT train from Istanbul to Eskişehir and change onto the Pamukkale Express, a modern air-conditioned day train direct to Denizli, the town next to the Pamukkale springs.  It's the safe, comfortable, fun and time-effective way to travel, avoiding flights or nightmare long bus rides.  Take a good book and be prepared for great scenery!

 Istanbul ► Denizli (Pamukkale) 

 

 Denizli (Pamukkale) ► Istanbul  

 Every day:

YHT

 Every day:

Pam. Exp

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme depart:

07:15

 Denizli depart:

09:45

 Eskişehir arrive:

10:05

 Eskişehir arrive:

18:30

 Every day:

Pam. Exp

 Every day:

YHT

 Eskişehir depart:

11:10

 Eskişehir depart:

19:47

 Denizli arrive:

20:00

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme arrive:

22:43

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren = 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Pam. Exp = Pamukkale ExpressTVS2000 reclining pullman seats with refreshment trolley.

Söğütlüçeşme is a suburban station just 2km (1.2 miles) east of the old Haydarpaşa station, used as the terminal for YHTs since March 2019, see location map

To reach Sögütlüçesme from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul Sirkeci station through the Bosphorus rail tunnel 3 stops to Söğütlüçeşme.  These run every 8 minutes, journey time 11 minutes, fare TL 50 (€1.30, €1.55) using any contactless credit card to tap in & out, although it's cheaper if you use an Istanbulkart.  Alternatively, you can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and walk.  It's hoped that high-speed trains will eventually be extended to a refurbished Haydarpaşa station.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

How much does it cost?

 

Economy

seat

Business

 seat

Pullman seat

 Istanbul to Eskişehir by YHT:

TL 280

TL 420

-

 Eskişehir to Denizli by Pamukkale Express:

-

-

TL 280

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently, check online.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets.  You will need to book each train as a separate transaction.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

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Istanbul to Göreme & Cappadocia

Cappadocia is an incredible land of strange rock formations and cave dwellings that should not be missed.  It's a nightmare 11 hour bus journey from Istanbul, but you can easily let the train take the strain to Ankara, then take a much shorter bus ride.

Option 1, by high-speed train + bus - the easiest way

Option 2, by high-speed train, onward train and bus - least time in a bus

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Istanbul to Izmir

Option 1, Istanbul to Izmir by YHT & sleeper train

With the start of high-speed YHT trains between Istanbul and Eskisehir you can once again take an evening train from Istanbul to Eskisehir and pick up the air-conditioned sleeper train to Izmir with private 1 & 2 berth sleepers.  It's a very affordable, time-effective and comfortable way to make this journey.

 Istanbul ► Izmir

 

 

 

 Izmir ► Istanbul

Every day:

YHT

Every day: 

Sleeper

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme depart

19:00

 Izmir Basmane depart

19:05

 Eskisehir arrive

22:08

 Eskisehir arrive

04:50

 Change trains

Sleeper

 Change trains

YHT

 Eskisehir depart

23:25

 Eskisehir depart

07:23

 Izmir Basmane arrive

09:25

 Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme arrive

10:07

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren = 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Sleeper = Izmir Mavi TrenTVS2000 sleeping-cars (1 & 2-bed compartments) & TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.

Söğütlüçeşme is a suburban station just 2km (1.2 miles) east of the old Haydarpaşa station, used as the terminal for YHTs since March 2019, see location map

To reach Sögütlüçesme from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul Sirkeci station through the Bosphorus rail tunnel 3 stops to Söğütlüçeşme.  These run every 8 minutes, journey time 11 minutes, fare TL 50 (€1.30, €1.55) using any contactless credit card to tap in & out, although it's cheaper if you use an Istanbulkart.  Alternatively, you can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and walk.  It's hoped that high-speed trains will eventually be extended to a refurbished Haydarpaşa station.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

How much does it cost?

 

Economy

seat

Business

 seat

Pullman seat

2-bed sleeper

per person

1-bed

 sleeper

 Istanbul to Eskişehir by YHT

TL 280

TL 420

-

-

-

 Eskişehir to Izmir by sleeper train

-

-

TL 325

TL 860

TL 1,200

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  You need to buy Istanbul to Eskisehir and Eskisehir to Izmir as two separate tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

Option 2, Istanbul to Izmir by ferry & train

An enjoyable way from Istanbul to Izmir is to sail across the Sea of Marmara to Bandirma by fast ferry, then take the air-conditioned 17 Eylül Express  from Bandirma to Izmir.  Much nicer than 9 hours stuck in a bus.

 Istanbul ► Izmir  by ferry & train

 

 Izmir ► Istanbul  by train & ferry

 By IDO seacat fast ferry

daily

daily

 By air-conditioned train

daily

daily

 Istanbul Yenikapi ferry terminal depart

12:00

19:30

 Izmir Basmane depart by train

09:05

16:05

 Bandirma ferry arrive by ferry

14:35

22:05

 Balikesir arr/dep

13:17

20:11

 By air-conditioned train

daily

 daily*

 Bandirma Sehir arrive by train

14:55

21:49

 Bandirma Sehir depart by train

16:40

08:00

 By IDO seacat fast ferry

daily

 daily*

 Balikesir arr/dep

18:19

09:39

 Bandirma depart by ferry

15:30

07:45

 Izmir Basmane arrive by train

22:37

14:01

 Istanbul Yenikapi ferry terminal arrive:

18:10

10:25

*  Requires an overnight stop in Bandirma.  As you can see, this journey involves an overnight stop in Bandirma.  The inexpensive but comfortable Panderma Port Hotel & Sahil Otel are both a stone's throw from the station & ferry terminal and get good reviews.

Ferry connections may vary.  Ferry times vary from day to day and season to season so check ferry times for your dates at www.ido.com.tr.  Ferry & train are right next to each other at Bandirma.  You should check train times less than 30 days before departure at www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.

About the journey:  The ferry is a fast seacat run by the IDO ferry company, see www.ido.com.tr to check times & prices.  The ferry terminal in Istanbul is called Yenikapi, see map of Istanbul showing Yenikapi ferry terminal.  There's a 30 minute minimum check-in for the ferry.  At Bandirma, the ferry arrives a stone's throw from the railway station, you can easily walk off the ferry and round onto the train.  The 6 Eylül Express & 17 Eylül Express have modern air-conditioned TVS2000 reclining pullman seats, usually with a refreshment trolley, though I recommend bringing your own picnic for the journey.

How much does it cost? 

How to buy tickets

Traveller's reports

Traveller Ryan White reports: "I went Istanbul to Izmir & back with the ferry+train and it was great.  The train and ferry were both very comfortable and on time.  One way Izmir to Istanbul or vice versa was about 30 TL ($20 dollars). 

Traveller Patrick Curtis reports:  "I took the 08:30 ferry from Yenikapi arriving Bandirma around 11:00 with the Izmir train scheduled to leave at 14:30.  I passed a pleasant few hours relaxing in Bandirma.  Just out of the ferry terminal towards the mosque you will find plenty of eateries including the Big Yellow Taxi Beer & Burger Hall.  Up past that on the street is a Simit bakery selling nice sandwiches and spicy sausage rolls.

For onward travel from Izmir to Selçuk (Ephesus) and Denizli (Pamukkale) see this section.

Train from Bandirma to Izmir   The station bell at Izmir Alsancak

The air-conditioned train to Izmir at Bandirma...  Photo above courtesy of Rob Hadley, photo above right courtesy of Malte Furhrmann.

 

The station bell at Izmir Alsancak station.

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Istanbul to Edirne & Kapikule

The international sleeper train from Istanbul to Sofia & Bucharest takes this route and is shown on the Istanbul to Sofia & Bucharest page.  But two domestic trains also run between Halkali, a suburban station 25km west of Istanbul Sirkeci, Edirne & Kapikule.  They have comfortable air-conditioned TVS2000 cars.  You can reach Halkali by frequent Marmaray suburban train from Sirkeci station, they run at least every 15 minutes, journey time 35 minutes but allow an hour.

 Istanbul ► Edirne & Kapikule

  

 

 Kapikule & Edirne ► Istanbul

 Days of running:

daily

daily

daily

 Days of running:

daily

daily

daily

 Istanbul Halkali station depart

08:40

11:15

18:00

 Uzunköprü (Greek border) depart

-

15:50

-

 Cerkezköy arrive

10:19

12:57

19:41

 Kapikule (Bulgarian border) depart

-

|

-

 Edirne arrive

12:49

|

22:08

 Edirne depart

08:20

|

17:15

 Kapikule (Bulgarian border) arrive

-

|

-

 Cerkezköy depart

10:51

18:04

19:44

 Uzunköprü (Greek border) arrive

-

15:04

-

 Istanbul Halkali station arrive

12:30

19:46

21:22

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.  The trains have one class of seating only, no catering car.

Halkali is a suburban station 25 km west of Istanbul Sirkeci station.

To reach Halkali from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Sirkeci station (the new Marmaray platforms underground).  These run every 15 minutes, journey time 49 minutes, fare equivalent of around €0.60.

How much does it cost?

Halkali to Edirne TL 190 (£5, €6, $6).

2024 prices, but Turkey has significant inflation so prices may change.

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

Regular seats   The Halkali-Edirne-Kapikule train, at Halkali

The Halkali - Edirne - Kapikule train.  Photos courtesy of Ivor & Ines Morgan.

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Ankara to Izmir 

You can make this journey by day or night.  A comfortable direct sleeper train links Ankara with Izmir overnight, with 1 & 2 bed sleepers, see the TVS2000 sleeper photos.  Or you travel by day, using a high-speed YHT train between Ankara & Eskisehir and the Ege Express between Eskisehir & Izmir.

 Ankara ► Izmir

 

 

 

 Izmir ► Ankara

Every day:

YHT

Sleeper

Every day: 

Ege Exp

Sleeper

 Ankara depart

06:00

20:00

 Izmir Basmane station depart

06:50

19:05

 Eskisehir arrive

07:23

23:25

 Eskisehir arrive

17:01

23:25

 

Ege Exp

|

 

YHT

|

 Eskisehir depart

08:40

23:25

 Eskisehir depart

19:37

04:50

 Izmir Basmane arrive

19:13

09:25

 Ankara arrive

20:58

08:33

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren = 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Ege Exp = Ege Express, TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.

Sleeper = Izmir Mavi TrenTVS2000 sleeping-car (1 & 2-bed compartments) & TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.  Runs via Balikesir.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

How much does it cost?

 

Reclining

pullman seat

2-bed sleeper

per person

single-bed

sleeper

Ankara to Izmir by sleeper train:

TL 425

TL 960

TL 1,300

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead. 

The sleeper can of course be booked as one transaction.  The daytime option can be booked as one transaction from Ankara to Izmir in the westbound direction.  In the eastbound Izmir to Ankara direction you need to book from Izmir to Eskisehir first, then from Eskisehir to Ankara, allowing loads of time for delay in Eskisehir.

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Ankara to Denizli for Pamukkale

It's cheap, easy and comfortable to travel between Ankara and Denizli, for the famous springs at Pamukkale.  You take a high-speed YHT train from Ankara's main station to Eskisehir then the Pamukkale Express to Denizli.

 Ankara ► Denizli (Pamukkale) 

 

 Denizli (Pamukkale) ► Ankara  

 Every day:

YHT

 Every day:

Pamukkale Express

 Ankara depart:

08:50

 Denizli depart:

09:45

 Eskişehir arrive:

10:10

 Eskişehir arrive:

18:30

 Every day:

Pamukkale Express

 Every day:

YHT

 Eskişehir depart:

11:10

 Eskişehir depart:

19:37

 Denizli arrive:

20:00

 Ankara arrive:

20:58

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren = 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Pamukkale Express = TVS2000 reclining pullman seats with refreshment trolley.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

How much does it cost?

 

Economy class

Business class

Pullman seat

 Ankara to Eskişehir

TL 225

TL 340

-

 Eskişehir to Denizli

-

-

TL 280

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  You need to buy Ankara to Eskisehir and Eskisehir to Denizli as two separate tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

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Ankara to Konya, Alanya, Antalya

A new high-speed line linking Ankara with Konya opened in August 2011.  250 km/h (156 mph) high-speed trains with economy and business class air-conditioned seating and a cafe-bar car now link Ankara & Konya in 1 hour 40 minutes, see the photos & video above.  Previously, you could only travel between these cities via a roundabout route that took over 10 hours.  The journey from Ankara to Konya is around 309 km (193 miles), including 212 km of new high-speed line.  The Turkish term for high-speed train is YHT or Yüksek Hızlı Tren.

In Konya, air-conditioned buses connect for Alanya & Antalya as shown below.  This YHT/bus combo is much better than a log bus journey all the way from Ankara.

 Ankara ► Konya, Alanya, Antalya

 

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT*

YHT

 Ankara depart by YHT train

06:25

09:10

12:15

16:40

17:45

20:30

21:10

 Konya arrive by YHT train

08:12

10:57

14:01

18:03

19:31

22:16

22:56

 Alanya arrive by bus

(13:50)

|

(19:20)

-

-

-

|

 Antalya arrive by bus

-

(16:35)

-

-

-

-

(03:45)

 Antalya, Alanya, Konya ► Ankara

 

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT**

 Antalya depart by bus

-

-

-

-

-

(13:00)

(15:00)

 Alanya depart by bus

-

-

-

(10:00)

(12:00)

|

|

 Konya  depart by YHT train

06:25

09:15

10:58

15:25

17:40

20:42

21:10

 Ankara arrive by YHT train

08:10

11:00

12:44

17:10

19:25

22:28

22:55

* Runs Friday, Saturday & Sunday only.  ** Runs Friday & Sunday only.

The Antalya & Alanya bus connection:  Turkish Railways have teamed up with the Özkaymak bus company (www.ozkaymak.com.tr) to offer a seamless train+bus combo service from Ankara to Alanya & Antalya.  You take a YHT high-speed train between Ankara & Konya, a bus is waiting outside the station when you arrive at Konya to take you to Alanya or Antalya, as shown above.  Times at Alanya/Antakya are shown in brackets to indicate that this is a connection, not a direct train to or from Ankara!  The bus route is very scenic, over some green and untouched parts of the Taurus mountains.  Turkish Railways claim this YHT/bus combo saves 2 hours over a direct bus to or from Ankara, and it's a lot more comfortable.  Check bus times at www.ozkaymak.com.tr.

How much does it cost?

 

Economy class

Business class

 Ankara to Konya  

TL 200

TL 300

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy train tickets.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.  If you want a train ticket with a bus connection added, buy at the station.

YHT train at Ankara   Second class train seats

YHT high-speed trains:  Turkish Railways use the same type of train on the new Ankara-Konya route as the Ankara-Eskisehir line.  Above left, a YHT train at Ankara.  Above right, Second class.  See more photos & video above.

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Ankara to Adana

There's no better way to travel between Ankara and Adana than by train.  Take a high-speed YHT train to Konya and change for a journey over the spectacular Taurus mountains to Adana aboard the Toros Express.

 Ankara ► Adana  

 

 

 

 Adana ► Ankara  

 Daily:

YHT

 Daily:

Toros Exp

 Ankara depart:

12:15

 Adana   depart:

07:30

 Konya YHT arrive

14:01

 Konya arrive

14:36

 Change trains:

Toros Exp

 Change trains:

YHT

 Konya depart

15:20

 Konya YHT depart

15:25

 Adana  arrive:

22:06

 Ankara  arrive

17:10

YHT =  by excellent YHT high-speed train between Ankara & Konya with business class and economy class seats.

Toros = by Toros Express with pullman seats between Konya & Adana.  Superb scenery through the Taurus mountains.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

Connection to Tarsus & Mersin   Connection to Iskenderun.

How much does it cost?

 

Economy class

Business class

Pullman seat

 Ankara to Konya:

TL 200

TL 300

-

 Konya to Adana:

-

-

TL 200

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.  You need to buy Ankara to Konya and Konya to Adana as two separate tickets.

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Istanbul & Ankara to Eastern Turkey

It's a long way to eastern Turkey, but the trains have sleeping-cars and couchettes for a comfortable and wonderfully scenic journey, making the train far more comfortable, civilised and enjoyable than any cramped long-distance bus.  Most trains now use modern air-conditioned TVS2000 sleeping-cars and reclining seat cars.  For the weekly onward train to Iran (if & when running), see the London to Iran page.  For onward connections to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, see the Caucasus page.

 Istanbul & Ankara ► Eastern Turkey

High-speed train:

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

 Istanbul S.csme

depart

06:00

06:00

08:40

11:40

13:00

 Ankara

arrive

10:27

10:27

13:08

16:12

17:27

Classic train:

Güney Express

Van Gölü Express

Turistik Doğu Express

Doğu Express

4 Eylül Mavi Tren

Days of running:

Mon, Wed, Thur

Fri, Sat

Tuesdays &

Sundays

See notes below

Every day

Thursday &

Saturday

 Ankara

depart

11:20  day 1

11:20  day 1

15:55 day 1

17:55  day 1

19:10  day 1

 Kayseri

arr/dep

19:26  day 1

19:17  day 1

22:42 day 1

01:03  day 2

02:32  day 2

 Sivas

arr/dep

23:26  day 1

23:18  day 1

02:12 day 2

05:04  day 2

06:07  day 2

 Erzurum

arr/dep

|

|

14:51-17:52

16:18  day 2

|

 Kars

arrive

|

|

22:06 day 2

20:20  day 2

|

 Malatya

arr/dep

04:03  day 2

04:04  day 2

   

10:56  day 2

 Diyarbakir

arr/dep

10:30  day 2

|

   

 

 Kurtalan

arrive

14:33  day 2

|

   

 

 Elazig

arr/dep

 

07:05  day 2

   

 

 Tatvan

arrive

 

13:55  day 2

   

 

 Eastern Turkey ► Ankara & Istanbul

Classic train:

4 Eylül Mavi Tren

Turistik Doğu Express

Doğu Express

Güney Express

Van Gölü Express

Days of running:

Friday &

Sunday

See notes below

Every day

Mon, Wed,

Fri, Sat, Sun

Tuesday, Thursday

 Tatvan

depart

 

 

10:30  day 1

 Elazig

arr/dep

 

 

17:14  day 1

 Kurtalan

depart

 

 

09:30  day 1

|

 Diyarbakir

arr/dep

 

 

13:45  day 1

|

 Malatya

arr/dep

15:30  day 1

 

 

20:22  day 1

20:22  day 1

 Kars

depart

|

22:30  day 1

08:00  day 1

|

|

 Erzurum

arr/dep

|

02:48  day 2

12:21  day 1

|

|

 Sivas

arr/dep

20:12  day 1

21:39  day 2

22:50  day 1

00:54  day 2

00:54  day 2

 Kayseri

arr/dep

23:59  day 1

01:16  day 3

02:27  day 2

04:30  day 2

04:30  day 2

 Ankara

arrive

07:23  day 2

08:07  day 3

09:39  day 2

11:56  day 2

11:56  day 2

 High-speed train:

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

YHT

 Ankara

depart

11:10

11:10

12:05

14:00

14:00

 Istanbul S.csme

arrive

15:43

15:43

16:27

18:18

18:18

Notes for the timetable

As you can see from the timetable, you take a YHT high-speed train from Istanbul to Ankara, then the classic trains from Ankara eastwards.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

Istanbul S.csme  = Söğütlüçeşme, a station 2km (1.2 miles) east of Haydarpaşa station used as the terminal for YHTs from March 2019, see station location map

To reach Sögütlüçesme from central Istanbul, take a Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul Sirkeci station through the Bosphorus rail tunnel 3 stops to Söğütlüçeşme.  These run every 8 minutes, journey time 11 minutes, fare TL 50 (€1.30, €1.55) using any contactless credit card to tap in & out, although it's cheaper if you use an Istanbulkart.  Alternatively, you can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and walk.  It's hoped that high-speed trains will eventually be extended to a refurbished Haydarpaşa station.

YHT = Yüksek Hızlı Tren, 250 km/h high-speed train.  There's a brief X-ray baggage check on the platform, so turn up at least 15 minutes before departure.

Güney Express.  Runs on certain days of the week as shown in the table above.  TVS2000 sleeping-car (1 & 2-bed rooms), TVS2000 couchette car (4-berth compartments), TVS2000 reclining pullman seats, ordinary seats.  Take your own provisions.

Van Gölü Express.  Runs on certain days of the week as shown in the table above.  TVS2000 sleeping-car (1 & 2-bed rooms), TVS2000 couchette car (4-berth compartments), TVS2000 reclining pullman seats, ordinary seats.

Turistik Doğu Express.  Eastbound, runs Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11 December 2023 to 22 March 2024, days after that tbc.  Westbound, runs Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 15 December 2023 to 24 March 2024, days after that tbc.

It has TVS2000 sleeping-cars (1 & 2-bed rooms) & TVS2000 restaurant car.  This train started on 29 May 2019, created by TCDD Turkish Railways in response to the popularity of the original Doğu Express.  Stops briefly at several locations for off-train excursions.  Special fares apply, with dynamic pricing.

Doğu Express.  Runs daily with TVS2000 couchette car (4-berth compartments) & TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.  This is the original Doğu Express, which became so popular that it was often fully-booked as soon as booking opened.  In response, TCDD created the all-sleeping-car Turistik Doğu Express and from 29 May 2019 replaced the sleeping-cars on this original daily Doğu Express with a couchette car.  But the scenery is the same whichever train you choose, and the couchettes are comfortable.  Says one traveller: "Overnight on brilliant Doğu Express to Erzurum. A trip highlight."

4 Eylül Mavi Tren.  TVS2000 4-berth couchette cars & TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.  No sleepers.

YHT high-speed trains Ankara-Sivas:  In addition to the classic trains shown above, several high-speed trains in each direction started linking Ankara & Sivas every day from April 2023, taking just 2h33 on a much more direct high-speed line.

How much does it cost?

 One-way per person

Economy

class

Business

class

Reclining

pullman seat

Couchette

in 4-berth

Sleeping-car,

sharing 2-bed sleeper

Sleeping-car,

single-bed sleeper

 Istanbul to Ankara by YHT train

TL 430

TL 645

-

--

-

-

 Ankara to Kars by Doğu Express

-

-

TL 400

TL 720

-

-

 Ankara to Kars by Turistik Doğu Express

-

-

-

-

Example: TL 6,250

Example: TL 12,500

 Ankara to Diyarbakir by Güney Express

-

-

TL 355

TL 675

TL 955

TL 1,525

 Ankara to Tatvan by Van Gölü Express

-

-

TL 420

TL ?

TL ?

TL ?

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

Special tourist fares apply for the Doğu Turistik Express with no child, youth, senior or return trip discounts.

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.  You need to buy Istanbul to Ankara and Ankara to Eastern Turkeyas two separate tickets.

Couchettes and sleepers on these trains usually sell out soon after booking opens, so book early and ideally use my suggested agencies to secure tickets as they know how it all works, as shown above.

What are the sleeping-cars like?

TVS2000 Sleeping-car corridor, Ankara-Kars, Izmir-Ankara night trains   TVS2000 sleeping-car in day mode, Istanbul-Ankara, Istanbul-Denizli, & Izmir-Ankara night trains.   Turkish sleeping-car compartment

On board the sleeper.  This is a sleeper compartment with seats folded out and beds folded away.  Courtesy of Shigeki MuraoMore sleeper photos.

What's the journey like?

Taking the train to eastern Turkey:  Dogu express to Kars along the Euphrates river   Taking the train to eastern Turkey:  The Dogu Express alongside the Euphrates river

Great scenery on the train to Kars:  Two views from the Dogu Express, alongside the Euphrates river between Sivan & Erzurum.  Away from road development, you'll see great scenery from the comfort of your train.  It's the  inexpensive & relaxed alternative to airport stress or a nightmare journey in a cramped bus.   Photos courtesy of Conor Meleady.

Scenery from the train to Kars   More scenery from the Dogu Express to Kars

More scenery from the Doğu Express.  Photos courtesy of Maximilian Meyer.

An omelette in the dining-car on the Dogu Express   The Dogu Express at a station in Eastern Turkey

An omelette and tea in the dining car.  Photos courtesy of Maximilian Meyer.

The Dogu Express in eastern Turkey

Breathtaking - the Doğu Express in eastern Turkey.  Courtesy of Matthew Woodward, read his blog about the journey here.

Traveller's report

Traveller Matt Dwyer reports on a trip from Istanbul to Kars on the Dogu Express:  "We went directly to the Haydarpaşa train station to buy tickets. It was quite simple to tell the ticket guy the date, train, and "Yatakli Vagon" (sleeper) and he handed us our tickets.  We paid 53 TL one way, but that was with our teacher discount (I think any teacher or student can get that discount, he wasn't very strict about proof), but I expect a regular ticket would be about 70 TL (£19 or $30).  Our Yatakli Wagon was the last car on the train, behind the cafe car, had 10 cabins with two beds each. They were not full, but we did pick up several groups along the way, especially in Ankara. The porters were very helpful and nice, announcing meals, making beds, etc. Our cabin was not luxurious, but certainly comfortable with a working sink, soap and hand towels, lock on the door from the inside (all my female friends asked me about that!), clean linens, etc.  We felt no worries about leaving stuff in our cabin when we went to the cafe car.  The toilet at the end of the car was clean for the first day, then started to get pretty grubby.  The scenery is spectacular, especially the second day as you go along the Euphrates and the mountains and gorges are striking."  This was written before the Dogu Express was equipped with modern air-conditioned TVS2000 sleeping-cars.

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Izmir to Konya

 Izmir ► Konya

 

 

 

 Konya ► Izmir

 Daily

Konya Mavi

 Daily

Konya Mavi

 Izmir Basmane depart:

20:05

 Konya depart:

19:00

 Afyon arr/dep

04:48

 Afyon arr/dep

23:21

 Konya arrive:

09:01

 Izmir Basmane  arrive

07:50

Konya Mavi = Konya Mavi Tren, with modern air-conditioned TVS200 sleeping-car with 1 & 2-bed compartments & TVS2000 reclining pullman seats.  These are all modern, fully-air-conditioned, soundproofed and smooth-riding TVS2000 cars.

Check these times at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr or as explained here.

How much does it cost?

Reclining

pullman seat

2-bed sleeper

per person

Single-bed

sleeper

TL 340

TL 805

TL 1,215

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

All these fares are one-way per person.  Return tickets cost 20% less than two one-way fares. 

Children under 8 go free, children 8-11 travel for half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth (genç) fare. 

Youths under 26 get 15% off (genç).  Seniors 60-64 get 15% off (yaş 60-64), over 65s get 50% off (yaş 65).

Special tourist fares apply for the Doğu Turistik Express with no child, youth, senior or return trip discounts.

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets:  The sleepers often sell out, so book as soon as booking opens, 30 days before departure.

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Izmir - Ephesus - Pamukkale

Regular regional trains link Izmir Basmane station with Selçuk, the station for Ephesus, Çamlık, the station for the resort of Kusadasi, and Denizli for the magnificent natural springs at Pamukkale, simply buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  Izmir to Selçuk is 78 km by train, the ruins at Ephesus are 3.8 km from the modern town of Selçuk, it can be walked or you can take a dolmus (local minibus).  For the Istanbul to Denizli Pamukkale Express overnight train, see above.

 Izmir  ► Selçuk (Ephesus) ► Denizli (Pamukkale)

 

Note:

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

 Izmir Basmane station

depart

07:05

10:40

12:30

14:15

16:40

18:40

23:05

 Selçuk for Ephesus

arr/dep

08:33

12:08

13:54

15:47

18:10

20:14

00:35

 Çamlık for Kusadasi

arr/dep

08:46

12:22

14:08

16:01

18:24

20:28

00:49

 Aydin

arr/dep

09:47

13:13

15:02

16:53

19:26

21:20

01:41

 Nazilli

arr/dep

10:42

14:10

15:58

17:50

20:18

22:15

02:33

 Denizli for Pamukkale

arrive

12:05

15:33

17:21

19:14

21:41

23:38

03:54

The trains have 2nd class seats only, and are now operated by comfortable modern air-conditioned diesel trains.

Change in Aydin for buses to Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca.

Additional IZBAN metro trains Izmir-Selçuk:  Electric suburban trains operated by IZBAN (www.izban.com.tr) now operate roughly every 75 minutes between Izmir Alsancak station and Selçuk in addition to the diesel regional trains run by TCDD shown here.  Currently a change of train is necessary at Tepeköy when using these suburban trains.  Suburban service will increase further when more project work is completed.  You can check Alsancak-Tepeköy and Tepeköy-Selçuk train times at www.izban.com.tr.  Fare around 16 TL.

Çamlık is the closest station to the resort of Kusadasi, 12 km (17 minutes) away by local minibus or taxi.  At Çamlık station there is a large open-air railway museum with many Turkish steam locomotives and one of Ataturk's private carriages complete with marble bath.

To check current times, go to www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr & run an enquiry.

 Denizli (Pamukkale) ► Selçuk (Ephesus) ► Izmir

 

Note:

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

Daily

 Denizli for Pamukkale

depart

01:59

04:20

05:45

08:45

10:15

12:20

16:20

18:15

 Nazilli

arr/dep

03:25

05:42

07:098

10:07

11:36

13:47

17:51

19:45

 Aydin

arr/dep

04:21

06:32

08:00

11:03

12:32

14:43

18:46

20:38

 Çamlık for Kusadasi

arr/dep

05:13

07:32

08:48

11:54

13:24

15:36

19:38

21:29

 Selçuk for Ephesus

arr/dep

05:30

07:49

09:01

12:09

13:38

15:50

19:51

21:43

 Izmir Basmane station

arrive

06:58

09:22

10:33

13:33

15:10

17:22

21:22

23:01

How much does it cost? 

Izmir to Selçuk TL 60

Izmir to Denizli TL 185

Denizli to Selçuk TL 135

2024 prices.  £1 = TL 38.  €1 = 32 TL.  $1 = TL 30.  Turkey has high inflation so fares & exchange rates change frequently.

Children under 8 free, children 8-11 half the adult fare, children 12 & over pay the youth fare.  Seniors over 60 15% off, over 65 50% off.  Youths under 26 15% off.

How to buy tickets

These are regional trains, most people just turn up, buy a ticket at the ticket office and hop on, there are always tickets available.

You can buy tickets online if you like at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr, see the advice about booking online here.

To reach the ruins at Ephesus

Get off the train at Selçuk, It's a pleasant 47 minute 3.8 km walk from the station to the ruins out of town and to the Kusadasi road, click here for walking route map.  Alternatively, turn left outside the station and walk up the road running parallel with the train tracks.  The otogar (bus station) is about 500 metres on the left with dolmuses (minibuses) leaving every 20 minutes (on the hour, 20 past & 40 past the hour) bound for Kusadasi.  These dolmuses will drop you at the top of the road to Ephesus, an easy 1km walk to the ruins so ignore any taxi drivers touting for business here. Dolmus fare TL 30 from Selçuk to Ephesus road, TL 60 from Selçuk to Kusadasi.   Feedback appreciated!

What are the trains like?

Izmir-Selcuk-Denizli train

Modern air-conditioned local trains now operate the Izmir-Selçuk-Denizli line.  Photo courtesy of Niklas Angermair

Inside the train from Izmir to Ephesus (Selcuk) & Pamukkale (Denizli)   Selcuk station, for Ephesus

he train's smart interior.  Photo courtesy of Nick ward

 

Selçuk station, for Ephesus.  Photo courtesy of Nick Ward

Scenery from the Izmir to Ephesus train

Landscape between Izmir & Selçuk (for Ephesus).  Photo courtesy of Stefan Smith.

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Adana to Tarsus & Mersin

Adana ► Yenice, Tarsus, Mersin

Mersin, Tarsus, Yenice ► Adana

The trains between Adana & Mersin are modern air-conditioned diesel units like the one shown in the Izmir to Selçuk & Denizli section above.

To check current train times, go to the Turkish Railways website www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.   The information you need is not shown in the English version of their site, so you must leave it in Turkish, ideally using Google's Chrome browser with automatic translation.  Select Bölgesel (= regional trains) at the top.  Click the route you are interested in.  Trains appear, click each train to see its schedule.

Connections from Istanbul & Ankara...

For train connections from Ankara to Adana, see the Ankara-Adana section.

For train connections from Istanbul to Adana, see the Istanbul-Adana section.

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Adana to Iskenderun

Adana ► Iskenderun

Iskenderun ► Adana

Fares & how to buy tickets

Adana to Iskenderun costs around TL ??.

Buy tickets at the station or even on board the train, no reservation necessary. 

To check current train times, go to the Turkish Railways website www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.   The information you need is not shown in the English version of their site, so you must leave it in Turkish, ideally using Google's Chrome browser with automatic translation.  Select Bölgesel (= regional trains) at the top.  Click the Mersin-Iskenderun or Iskenderun-Mersin route, these travel via Adana.  Trains appear, click each train to see its schedule.

Connections from Istanbul & Ankara

For train connections between Adana & Ankara, see the Ankara-Adana section above.

For train connections between Adana & Istanbul, see the Istanbul-Adana section above.

Traveller's report

Traveller Magnus Larsson reports:  "On the minute the train departed from Iskenderun at 07.15 and made its way slowly through the outskirts of town. The Mediterranean sea became visible through the windows at times during the journey. The train was pretty full of passengers but with 2+1 seats there were generous space for all of us. The air-conditioning kept temperature in the wagons at a pleasant level all the time, even though the sun was shining strong when we arrived Mersin on schedule at 10.40. I bought tickets from the ticket counter at Iskenderun station but it is also possible to buy tickets on board."

Train from Iskenderun to Adana   Inside the train from Iskenderun to Adana

The Iskenderun-Adana train.  Photo courtesy of Magnus Larsson

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Sivas to Samsun

Sivas ► Samsun

The line closed in September 2015 for a complete rebuild, but reopened in April 2023 with a daily train leaving every morning, journey time 8h.  The train is an air-conditioned diesel unit with comfortable one-class seating.

Samsun ► Sivas

The line closed in September 2015 for a complete rebuild, but reopened in April 2023 with a daily train leaving every morning, journey time 8h.  The train is an air-conditioned diesel unit with comfortable one-class seating.

Connections from Ankara to Sivas

Starting in April 2023, three daily YHT high-speed trains link Ankara with Sivas taking just 2h33.  They get fully-booked, so book ahead.  You will need to stay overnight in Sivas between trains.

Alternatively, use any of the classic trains using the classic route shown in the Ankara to Eastern Turkey section above.

Traveller's report

Traveller Stefan Smith reports:  "We used this service as part of a relaxed way to travel from the delightful little town of Amasya, nestled in the depths of a gorge in the Black Sea mountains, back to Ankara. First, we took the 11:32 train from Amasya to Sivas, a leisurely journey through some very pretty unspoiled mountain scenery and lush valleys, arriving at Sivas bang on time at a few minutes past 17:00. We then spent a nice evening in Sivas (the centre of which is a 20-minute walk from the train station), visiting its remarkable Seljuk remains, and having glasses of apple tea in the beautiful courtyards of former madrasas. Then, around midnight, we boarded the Doğu Ekspresi, en route from Kars, to Ankara, arriving around 10:00 the next morning. Much more relaxing than the 7-hour Ankara-Amasya bus journey we had endured a couple of days earlier!"

Scenery from the train to Samsun

Scenery from the train from Sivas to Amasya.  Photo courtesy of Stefan Smith.

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Buses to Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye

Istanbul ► Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye

OK, so there are direct buses from Istanbul to Antalya, Marmaris and the Mediterranean coast, but this is a nightmarishly long bus journey, especially if done overnight slumped in a cramped bus seat.  Here's how to travel in civilised style with a minimum of time spent in a bus.

For Bodrum or Marmaris, first travel from Istanbul to Izmir by ferry & train or by YHT & sleeper train as shown above.  It's a relaxing and enjoyable journey.  Then take a local train from Izmir to Aydin railway station as shown here.  Now take a bus from Aydin bus station to Bodrum or Marmaris.  Aydin to Bodrum takes 2h40.  Aydin to Marmaris takes 2h20.  There's a range of buses daily, try www.pamukkale.com.tr.

For Fethiye, first travel from Istanbul to Denizli as shown here.  Then take a bus from Denizli bus station to Fethiye.  There are several buses daily, taking around 3h45.  Try www.pamukkale.com.tr but there are several bus companies.

Buy bus tickets at the bus station, as most Turkish bus websites will not accept non-Turkish credit cards.  There are so many buses and companies, it's usually fairly easy to get a seat on the next bus.

Ankara  ► Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye

For Bodrum or Marmaris, first travel from Ankara to Izmir by YHT train and overnight sleeper as shown here.  It's a civilised and enjoyable journey in your own cosy private sleeper.  Then take a local train from Izmir to Aydin railway station as shown here.  Now take a bus from Aydin bus station to Bodrum or Marmaris.  Aydin to Bodrum takes 2h40.  Aydin to Marmaris takes 2h20.  There's a range of buses daily, try www.pamukkale.com.tr.

For Fethiye, travel by YHT high-speed train from Ankara to Konya station as shown above, then take a bus from Konya bus station to Fethiye.  Try www.kontur.com.tr for bus times & fares.

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Turkey - Greece

Istanbul to Thessaloniki & Athens by train

There are currently no trains from Istanbul to Greece.

Izmir to Thessaloniki & Athens by ferry

This is the nicest way to go.  New in 2022, a direct ferry links Izmir & Thessaloniki several times a week from Spring until November, run by Levante Ferries, www.levanteferries.com.  The crossing is overnight, 14 hours, with a range of comfortable cabins.  Book it at the Direct Ferries website or www.levanteferries.com.

After reaching Thessaloniki overnight by ferry you can take a train to Athens in as little as 4 hours, www.hellenictrain.gr.

Turkey to Greece via a Greek island

Alternatively, you can take a ferry between southern/western Turkey  & several Greek islands, then a domestic Greek ferry between those islands & Piraeus (the port of Athens).

Step 1, take a ferry from southern Turkey to either Kos, Lesvos, Samos or Rhodes:

Step 2: Take a ferry from Kos, Lesvos, Samos or Rhodes to Piraeus.  Piraeus is the port of Athens, 25 minutes from central Athens by metro.  The port on Lesvos is called Mytilini.

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Turkey to/from the rest of Europe

Istanbul Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna, Paris, London:  See the London to Turkey page

Istanbul Sofia, Belgrade, Zagreb, Munich, Paris, London:  See the London to Turkey page

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Other international services

Istanbul Aleppo (Syria), Damascus, Amman (Jordan), Petra, Cairo (Egypt)

Istanbul / Ankara Tehran (Iran):  See the Iran page.

Istanbul / Ankara Tbilisi (Georgia) See the Caucasus page.

Istanbul Yerevan (Armenia):  See the Caucasus page.

Istanbul Baku (Azerbaijan):  See the Caucasus page.

Istanbul & Gaziantep ► Mosul & Baghdad (Iraq)

Istanbul Odessa (Ukraine) by ferry

Turkey Cyprus

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European Rail Timetable & Map

Thomas Cook European Timetable -  click to buy onlineTraveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy onlineThe European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

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How to buy train tickets online

The Turkish Railways website has a good online booking facility, revamped in 2014 and available (mostly) in English.  The system will book most long distance domestic trains within Turkey, including seats, couchettes and sleepers.

 

Go to ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr and click English top right...

Turkish Railways (TCDD) website

How to buy tickets online

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Guidebooks

To get the most out of your trip, you'll need a good guidebook - I'd recommend the Lonely Planets guides as about the best out there.  The Middle East guidebook is less detailed, but covers Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Israel and other countries as well as Turkey.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

Lonely Planet Turkey - click to buy online   Lonely Planet Middle East - click to buy online

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Hotels in Istanbul

Without a doubt, the famous and historic Pera Palas Hotel, where Agatha Christie, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk and even King George V have stayed, is the most interesting place to stay, see below.  It wasn't that expensive, by grand hotel standards, although prices have risen after its recent complete refurbishment.  The nearby Grand Hotel de Londres offers similar affordable grandeur, www.londrahotel.net, just 35 euros for a basic single, 50 euros for a double, more for a renovated room.  It's apparently a favourite with archaeologists working in Turkey!  Alternatively, the Yasmak Sultan is a good choice.  For a good cheap hotel in the Sultanahmet travellers' area, try the Park Hotel.  If you are on a tight budget and want a backpacker hostel room or dorm bed at a rock-bottom price, see www.hostelworld.com.  For independent reviews of Istanbul hotels, see www.tripadvisor.com.

Pera Palas Hotel: Check prices

Easily the most famous and historic hotel in Istanbul is the Pera Palas, built in 1892 by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits to accommodate the passengers arriving by train on the Orient Express from London and Paris.  It was closed for refurbishment for several years, but reopened in 2010 with its delightfully faded grandeur fully restored.   If your budget will stretch (prices after refurbishment will start at around €200 a night for a double room, up from around €100 in its previously faded form), it's a wonderful and historic place to stay.  One of it's rooms has been kept as a museum to Turkish leader Ataturk, another room (411) was regularly used by Agatha Christie, and can actually be booked by guests.  Book the Pera Palace online...

The Man in Seat 61 says:  "Istanbul's famous Pera Palas hotel is a classic, one of my favourite hotels anywhere - admittedly much pricier after its refurbishment, but now a true 5 star hotel with helpful & friendly staff.  It's a special place for my wife and I, it just happens to be where I told my wife she was pregnant with our first child, after the hotel's duty manager translated a certain Turkish word..."

Pera Palas hotel main entrance   The Pera Palas Hotel, Istanbul

The Pera Palas hotel, main entrance...

 

The Pera Palas hotel, after its recent refurbishment.

Pera Palace Hotel, lobby   Pera Palas Hotel, main lounge   Pera Palace hotel lift

Pera Palace Hotel, lobby...

 

The main lounge...

 

The old lift...

Pera Palas Hotel, Istanbul:  Typical bedroom.   Agatha Christie's room 411 at the Pera Palas Hotel

Bedrooms have been elegantly refurbished.  This is a corner suite, with sitting room next door...

 

Agatha Christie's room 411 where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express (taken before refurbishment)

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

If you're on a tight budget, don't forget the hostels.  For a dorm bed or an ultra-cheap private room in backpacker hostels in most European cities use www.hostelworld.com.

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Travel insurance & other tips

 

Staysure travel insurance

 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

UK flag  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

UK flag  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

US flag  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Maya.net logo

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility listMaya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

 

Curve card

Curve card

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

 

Express VPN

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explainedExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

 


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