Budget Train Travel in Turkey 2024
Travelling to and around Turkey by Train
If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, which is now officially called Turkiye, you’ll be pleased to know that the country has a well-developed transportation system that makes getting around easy and affordable.
Train travel in Turkey is a great way to see the country’s diverse landscapes. Several cities, such as Istanbul and Ankara are connected by high-speed and economical trains. You can also take slower long-distance services to destinations like Kars.
Overall, train transportation in Turkey is efficient and affordable, making it easy to explore the country and experience all it has to offer. In this guide we will be giving you all the advice and travel tips you need if you are thinking about travelling around Turkey by train.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey has a good train network system that is continuously expanding.
- High-speed trains connect several major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Konya, while long-distance trains offer access to destinations like Denizli (Pamukkale) and Adana.
- Buying train tickets in advance is recommended, either online, at a travel agency or in the train station itself.
- It is sometimes a good idea to combine more than one form of transport when travelling to certain destinations. For instance, train and bus travel.
- The Eastern Express from Ankara to Kars is a train enthusiasts dream trip. During the winter months it is packed with tourists.
- There are several options for international travel by train to Turkey from various European cities and it can be a more ecologically-friendly alternative to travelling to Turkey by plane.
- There are travel passes for International train travel to Turkey, as well as for train travel around the country.
- Travelling by train for solo female travellers is safe and single females are usually seated next to other female passengers whenever possible.
The TCDD Railway Network
Travelling around Turkey can be an adventure, with several transportation options available. The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) operates the railway system in Turkey, which includes regional trains and a few major high-speed train lines – YHT (Yüksek Hızlı Tren)
The railway High-speed train network is expanding all the time and is a great way to get around the country. At the moment it connect Istanbul with Eskişehir, Ankara, Konya and Sivas.
However, many areas of Turkey are very isolated and are too remote to be covered by the train network. There are some regional trains, for example Ankara to Adana, or Ankara to Kars that may be scenic but are extremely slow and many people prefer to take an intercity bus that is often faster and cheaper.
Buying Ticket at the Station
If you prefer to buy tickets in person, you can visit the train station in Turkey. It is advisable to do so a few days ahead of your planned journey to ensure availability. You might be lucky in the low season and just turn up at the station an hour the train leaves and manage to get a ticket.
You can simply go to the ticket counter and give them your travel details. In larger cities, some salespeople will speak some English, but in smaller cities you will probably need to use a google translator. It is sometimes easier to write you travel detail on a piece of paper, including all the necessary information, and then give it to the ticket office assistant.
They are usually friendly with foreign tourists and are happy to help you. Finally you can pay cash, but only in Turkish Lira, or by using a debit/credit card.
TCDD Mobile App
Alternatively, you can download the TCDD mobile app. E-Bilet and carry out the reservation on your phone. This is perhaps the easiest option and avoids standing in long lines at the ticket office at busy stations.
Online ticket sales for high-speed trains open 15 days before departure and up to a month in advance for a long-distance train journey. Using the app will also help you to check and compare departure times easily and calculate the ticket cost.
Buying Tickets Online
You can purchase train tickets in advance on the TCDD ticket website, or at the train station on the day of travel.
It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially for popular routes and during peak travel times. Buying train tickets online is a convenient option that allows you to secure your seats in advance.
The TCDD website offers an easy-to-use online booking system and is available in English. Simply select your desired route, date, and class, and proceed to the payment section.
Train Ticket Prices
Fares vary, depending on the route and class of travel, but train travel in Turkey is generally affordable, when compared to most of Europe and North America. For example a second class seat on the Ankara to Kars train (26-30 hours) is less than 20 euros. Choosing a first class ticket in general cost double the price of a second class ticket.
When purchasing tickets, be sure to check the train times and try get to the station early to ensure that you get the train. In big cities there can be a lot of traffic on the road.
Sleeper Trains in Turkey
For long-distance trips booking a couchette in a sleeping compartment is almost essential. The price will depend on which class you are travelling in and how many people are sharing the compartment, (normally two or four). The ticket price will probably be about half the price of a similar trip in most western European countries.
A good example of this is the 26-30-hour train journey from Ankara to Kars. There are low-cost seat tickets available, but it makes sense to share a sleeping compartment on such a long trip. If you prefer not to share, you can book the entire compartment for yourself, but then it would probably be cheaper to take a flight.
International Trains to Turkey
There are various options for international train services to and from Turkey. There are trains services that connect Turkey to Bulgaria (with quite a long border check delay) and from there you can carry on travelling to the rest of the European mainland. There are plans for high-speed trains between Istanbul and the E.U in the future.
- Bosphorus Express – Istanbul – Bucharest (Romania) 20 hours.
- Sofia Express – Istanbul – Sofia (Bulgaria) 10 hours.
- The Balkan Explorer (2024) Venice to Istanbul. A luxurious trip by train following the old Orient express. Not a budget-friendly train.
Of course, there is also the famous Orient Express, but that is a luxury train and not for travellers on a budget.
The trains that connect Turkey to Bulgaria have quite a long border check delay. When you arrive in Sofia or it is easy to get a connecting train to take you to almost anywhere on the European mainland.
International Train Passes
Balkan Flexi-pass
This pass allows unlimited train travel in Turkey and other Balkan countries, including Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria. It’s great for people who want to explore the wider region. Although it is not valid for sleeper trains or High-speed lines in Turkey.
Interrail and Eurail Passes
While these are predominantly used for travel in European countries, they also include Turkey. The Interrail pass is for European residents, while the Eurail pass is for non-European residents.
They allow for unlimited train travel in up to 33 countries, depending on the type of pass purchased. Remember that most train passes are not valid for use on High-Speed trains or sleeping compartments.
Turkish Train Passes
There are national passes that provides unlimited travel on Turkish State Railways for 30 days. There are three different types of passes, including:
- High-Speed Train Travel Pass
- Express Train Travel Pass
- Sleeping Train Travel Pass
These passes are only beneficial if you plan to use train travel regularly during the 30-day period. However, you should remember that the Rail network is not extensive in Turkey and that you will probably need to combine you trip with other forms of transport.
Turkey Train Pass
You can also purchase a Turkey Pass, which allows you to travel on any train within Turkey for a set period for between 3 and 8 days.
For example, 8 days of unlimited travel in Turkey costs 138 dollars, plus a 7.45 dollar booking fee. In my opinion I wouldn´t buy this train pass, as it is very limited and expensive. You will probably not get any financial benefit from it.
Combining Train & Bus
The number of cities in Turkey which are connected by rail is limited, in comparison to the national bus and flight network. Some destinations may also have less frequent connections, perhaps just one train per day, compared to several buses per day.
That is why it is always a good idea to plan your journey wisely and look at all the different options available to you. There are many good ways for getting around Turkey, which can be used in conjunction with a train.
For example, you could get a sleeper train to Kars in Eastern Turkey and then take a bus to the nearby Black Sea, which has a very bad train service.
Onboard Amenities
Most trains offer onboard amenities such as air conditioning, heating as well as food and drink services. High-speed trains also offer wi-fi.
If you are on a budget, it is always a good idea to take your own food and snacks, as well as a good book to read. However, the Kars (Eastern Express actually doesn´t offer food, so you really must take your own, as it is a very long journey.
Getting to the Train Station
The good thing about most train stations is that they are usually located near the city centre, and in many cases near to your accommodation.
That means getting to the train station by taxi is usually fast and cheap.
This is certainly not the case for getting to the city centre from most bus stations. Bus stations are nearly always located on the outskirts of the city, far from the centre, and most people´s accommodation.
If you are travelling alone, the cost of taxis can be a major expense when travelling around the country and you should take it into account in your travel budget.
Istanbul's Train Stations
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and serves as the gateway to the country.
The city has two major train stations, Haydarpaşa on the Asian side and Sirkeci on the European side, which connect the city to other parts of Turkey, as well as trains to Europe.
There is good public transport to both train stations, but always try to get there early during rush hour traffic. For more information, please see the Istanbul guide.
The word for train station in Turkish comes from French “Gar.”
Ankara & Eskişehir
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey and is in the central part of the country. It’s home to the Ankara Train Station, which is the main railway station in the city. From Istanbul you can travel to Ankara either by High-speed train or normal train. If you’re travelling by bus, Ankara has one main bus stations called Aşti.
If you are going to Cappadocia, a good option is getting a high-speed train from Istanbul to Ankara and then a connecting bus to Goreme. This will cut the travel journey time considerably but will cost slightly more.
The High-speed train stops at the city of charming city of Eskisehir on the way to Ankara.
Izmir
Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey and is located on the western coast of the country. The Basmane Train Station is the main railway station in the city. However, going there by train is painfully slow, so bus or air travel are much better options.
If you’re travelling to the beaches of Western Turkey, for example, Çesme, or planning to take a ferry to Greece, then Izmir is a great place to start exploring. Ephesus is an ancient city located in the western part of Turkey and is located relatively near to Izmir.
Denizli & Pamukkale
Denizli is a city located in the western part of Turkey and is often used as a city to get a connecting bus to Pumukkale.
The train is called the Pamukkale Express and is quite famous in Turkey. It might be a great trip for a railway enthusiast, but in my opinion the journey takes too long and the bus is a better option.
Konya & Adana
Konya is another destination served by High-Speed train. It is one of the main religious centre´s of Turkey and home to the Sufi branch of Islam (Whirling Dervishes). The trip takes just 5 hours from Istanbul, which is fantastic considering the long distance.
There is a train service between Istanbul and Adana, which is the gate way to the the South-East of Turkey. However, the train is very slow (13 hours) and I have been told that it is quite uncomfortable. Most people prefer to fly or take a bus if they are on a tight budget.
The Black Sea
There are only two rail options for getting the Black Sea. By far the best option is to take High-speed train to Sivas in central Turkey, and then transfer to the nearby town of Kalın where you can take a regional train to Black sea port of Samsun. However, taking a bus from Sivas to the coast may be an easier, cheaper and faster option.
If you are travelling to Rize, then you could travel by train to Kars and get a bus from there to Rize.
The Eastern Express Train (Doğu Ekspresi)
This is one of the most popular tourist train trips in the country. It runs for approximately 1300 kilometres between the capital Ankara and the small city of Kars in the far eastern part of Turkey. This is a sleeper train which offers different types of sleeping arrangement, depending on your budget.
The route is famous because there are picturesque views and stunning landscapes along the way. It is supposed to take about 26 hours, but in snowy winter months it can often take up to 30 hours. It is essential to buy tickets online well in advance, in order to guarantee that you get a sleeping compartment in the winter months.
If you love train journeys but can´t be on a train for so long, you could always do the last part of the iconic Eastern Express train trip, between the city of Erzurum and Kars, which only takes about 4-5 hours.
Train Travel & Solo Female Travellers
Both trains and buses in Turkey are considered as a safe form of public transport. Both bus and train stations have cameras and security guards. However, it is always a good idea to sit in a part of the train station where there are other passengers at night.
When booking you ticket online you will be asked for your gender, this is to ensure that single women and men are not placed next to each other. Culturally, it is quite normal for women to prefer to sit together with other women or their family, when travelling throughout Turkey.
Enjoy Your Train Trip!
Travelling by train is a great way to get to certain cities in Turkey, but not great for all cities. You need to plan where you want to go and see which option is the best one for you.
The price of train tickets is very reasonable in Turkey and even sleeper trains are affordable on longer journeys. It is also a great way to meet other travellers, as there usually seems to be a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere on trains than planes and buses.