The Eastern Express, which has become very popular in recent years, deserves all kinds of praise. You can capture beautiful shots at any moment along the route passing through different regions. Along the way, you will witness unique natural beauties from the steppes of the Central Anatolia Region to the steep valleys of the Eastern Anatolia Region.
General Information About the Eastern Express
The Eastern Express, beyond being a means of transportation between Ankara and Kars, offers the opportunity to experience an adventure on its own. The popular route, which has daily reciprocal flights between Ankara-Kars and Kars-Ankara, is 1300 kilometres and is completed in approximately 26 hours one way. On the train, there is a couchette car, known as a sleeping car, and a pullman car with wide seats, as well as a restaurant car where you can eat your meal. Needs such as sheets, coverlet, pillows in couchette car are met by TCDD (Turkish State Railways). The Eastern Express, which departs from Ankara, passes through Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum, respectively, and reaches its last stop, Kars. Along with the stations in between, there are 55 stations in total where the train stops along the route. The train stops very short at these stations, so it will make it easier for you to get your possible needs from Ankara or Kars. The Eastern Express tickets go on sale 30 days in advance, so you can buy tickets for 30 days from today at the latest. Due to the popularity of the train, especially the seats in the couchette cars are running out fast. You may have to spend some time finding tickets. You can buy the Eastern Express train tickets from the TCDD website.
The Most Beautiful Sceneries on the Eastern Express
On the route of the Eastern Express, unique sceneries greet you along the way. If you want to watch the sunrise in a lush valley, the unique landscape between Erzincan’s İliç district and Erzurum offers you wonderful photo shots. The train from Ankara to Kars passes through this region in the early hours of the morning. Waking up with this view is more effective than coffee to start the day.
When you come to Kars at the end of your journey, the historical and natural beauties in and around the center open new doors for you to explore the region. You can get off the train in Sarıkamış, explore this place, and then move on to Kars. You can reach the historical Ani Ruins or Lake Çıldır with a short journey after landing in Kars. If you go to Çıldır Lake in winter, which is also beautiful in every season, you can walk on the frozen lake. You can easily discover all the historical and natural beauties by booking at Kars hotels.
The Eastern Express journey offers a fascinating picturesque sceneries in four seasons. You can discover landscapes reminiscent of New Year’s postcards on your winter journeys. Since the train passes through different regions, it is possible to see many different colours together in the spring and autumn seasons. The magnificent nature of Kars offers you a reddish-brown appearance in spring and summer.
What to Take with You and Tips to Make Your Travel Easier
There are two sockets in the couchette cars on the Eastern Express, so don’t forget to take a socket multiplexer or extension cable with you. There is a restaurant car on the train where you can meet your food and beverage needs, but the restaurant only works between 06.00 am and 11:59 pm. It’s a good idea to take non-perishable food and drink with you. Credit cards are accepted in the restaurant, but you may have trouble as the pos device doesn’t always work, so don’t forget to take cash with you.
There is no wireless internet service on the train, telephone and internet are available, but you may experience interruptions due to the terrain on which the route passes. Necessities such as coverlets, sheets and pillowcases are provided free of charge in the couchette cars on the train. There is no separate luggage compartment in the train where you can put your luggage, suitcase, instrument or ski equipment, you need to take these items with you. There are garbage bins in the cars, but they may be insufficient, so don’t forget to take extra garbage bags with you. Be sure to take a suitable device with you to photograph full moon nights, snow sceneries or deep valley interiors. It’s useful to buy extra toilet paper and hygiene products such as wet wipes.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Eastern Express is that when you approach Erzurum, you can order cag kebab on the train. Gelgor Cag Kebab is the favourite of those who order cag kebab on the train.
