Train travel in Turkey is comfortable but trains do not reach some large cities and popular tourist destinations. In the 21st century major infrastructural projects were realized for example the construction of a high-speed railway network and a tunnel under the Bosphorus strait. New trains were also purchased and most of the old rolling have been replaced. Beautiful historic railway stations have been renovated.
Last updated: 18.02.2024
The first railway to be constructed in Turkey was the Izmir – Torbalı line opened in 1860 (43 km). The second railway was the Izmir-Turgutlu railway opened six years later.
The first railway on the European side of the Bosporus connected Constantinopole with Western Europe via Balkans. It was opened in 1888.
In 1890 Istanbul Sirkeci Terminal was opened.
In 1927 Turkish State Railways (TCDD) was founded.
In the 1950s, Turkey focused on roads and highways construction, and the railway network was neglected.
In 1971 railway link with Iran was inaugurated.
New railway tunnel under the Bosphorus strait was opened in 2013 for commuter trains. Next year for long-distance passenger and freight traffic also.
The first high-speed railway line in Turkey was put into operation on 13 March 2009 – the first phase of the Ankara–Istanbul high-speed railway connected Ankara and Eskisehir. On 25 July 2014 high-speed services were extended to Pendik station in Instanbul.
On 26 April 2023 the 405 km long Ankara-Sivas high-speed railway line started operations.
Train travel in Turkey – domestic trains
The railway is an important mode of transportation for both passengers and freight, connecting various regions within Turkey. State-owned company Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryolları (TCDD) operates the majority of the rail network in Türkiye. Passenger and freight trains are operated by TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. – subsidiary of TCDD. There are commuter trains, long-distance trains and high-speed trains. Comfortable overnight trains are also available.
TCDD Taşımacılık – timetable of high-speed trains (the website may or may not work)
TCDD Taşımacılık – timetable of long-distance trains
E-yasamrehberi.com – timetable of long-distance and high-speed trains
Railway map of Turkey (Wikipedia)
Not all trains run every day. It’s difficult to obtain tickets for Dogu Ekspresi train from Ankara to Kars and booking tickets several weeks in advance is recommended.
Types of the trains in Turkey
Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) – high-speed trains between largest cities. Length of high-speed railway lines in Turkey will rise sharply over the next few years. Most of these trains has two classes: economy class with seats arranged 2+2 and business class with seats arranged 2+1. The vast majority of high-speed trains are modern electrical multiple units equipped with air conditioning and vacuum toilets, for example Siemens Velaro.
High-speed trains run on the following routes:
Istanbul – Ankara
Istanbul – Konya
Ankara – Karaman
Ankara – Sivas
Ankara – Konya
Anahat Trenleri (AT) – named long-distance trains between largest and medium-sized Turkish cities. Mostly comprised of 1st and 2nd class carriages – usually coach but there are also older carriages with six-persons compartments. There are daytime trains and overnight trains. In overnight trains you can travel in comfortable couchette cars and sleeping cars. Most famous is Dogu Ekspresi train from Ankara to Kars – very popular among tourists all over the world. Most of the route is known for breathtaking landscapes.
The most popular overnight trains:
4 Eylül Mavi Treni (Ankara – Malataya)
Ankara Ekspresi (Ankara – Istanbul)
Dogu Ekspresi (Ankara – Kars)
Izmir Mavi Treni (Izmir – Ankara)
Van Gölü Ekspresi (Tatvan – Ankara)
Bölgesel Trenler – regional trains between large cities and medium-sized cities and small towns located in a relatively medium distance. Usually diesel and electric multiple units.
Examples:
Adana – Merserin
Adana – Osmaniye
Konya – Afon
Adana – Gaziantep
Izmir – Aydin
Konya – Karaman
Istanbul – Edirne
Batman Diyarbakir
Kars – Akaya
Banliyö Trenleri – suburban trains in Istanbul (include cross-Bosphorus trains) and Ankara.
Overnight trains
Turkish overnight trains are good way to travel between some of the largest cities. You can choose between seating carriages, couchette cars and sleeping cars.
Pulman – seating coach. Each coach has 60 seats arranged 2+1 – one seat in one side of aisle, two seats in other side.
Turkish couchette cars (kuşet, kuşetli vagon) are similar to couchettes in other European countries. They usually have 4-berth compartments – during the day ordinary seats, in the night converted to six berths.
Turkish sleeping cars (yataklı vagon) are air-conditioned and very comfortable with 2-bed cabins equipped with washbasin, soap, mirror, clothes hangers, luggage rack and electric socket. Toilets are at each end of the sleeping car – one squat type toilet, one traditional western-style toilet. Some of sleeping cars are equipped with a shower. Sleeping car fares are moderate and I highly recommend to choose this type of service.
Most of the overnight trains in Turkey have dining cars.
Train travel in Turkey – international trains
Turkey has railway links to all adjacent countries, but some of them are not operational and most international trains have been suspended in recent years due to political reasons.
Azerbaijan, Georgia
There were plans to launch an international train Kars – Tbilisi – Baku. Azerbaijan Railways purchased modern carriages dedicated to this route. The route was commisioned, but it’s unclear when train will start. According to authorities, there are problems connected with the brake system of the Georgian Railways locomotives.
Bulgaria, Romania
Between the rail systems of Bulgaria and Turkey, there is only one connection: Svilengrad–Kapikule. There is an international overnight train from Sofia to Halkali station in the suburbs of Istanbul. Train is comprised of modern, air-conditioned Turkish sleeping cars and couchette car. Sleepin car with 2-bed compartments is the best choice – it has the best value for money. At the Dimitrovgrad station carriages from Buchurest to Halkali are hooked to the train from Sofia.
Sofia – Halkali train – timetable and prices
Greece
There are no passenger trains between Greece and Turkey. International train Thessaloniki – Istanbul was ceased many years ago.
Iran
There are no passenger trains between Turkey and Iran. Trans-Asia Express train from Ankara to Tehran was suspended in 2015 and resumed in 2019 but shortly after suspended again.
Syria
There are no passenger trains between Turkey and Syria.
