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Eastern Express: Winter Fairytale on the Rails
Are you ready for an unforgettable journey from the heart of Turkey to snowy peaks, frozen lakes and fairytale landscapes? The Orient Express is not just a train line; it is an experience, an adventure and a visual feast for the soul. This legendary route from Ankara to Kars has become the most popular tourism route of recent years. Now sit back and discover the details of this magical journey.
Why the Orient Express?
What makes the Orient Express special is the slow-paced, in-depth exploration it offers. Instead of speeding past, it allows you to savor every moment. Especially in winter, the view from the train window is like a postcard come to life. Villages under a white blanket, foggy foothills and desolate steppes where the train moves slowly will make you keep the shutter of your camera running.
This journey is not just about reaching the destination; the journey itself is a destination. The friendships made in the train cars, the stories shared over a hot cup of tea and this mystical journey to the heart of Anatolia is the perfect escape from the chaos of the modern world.
Travel Experience: Comfort and Nostalgia in One
The Orient Express is an adventure that lasts about 24 hours and offers different carriage types to make the journey comfortable. While Pulman Wagons are ideal for day trips, this long journey is best enjoyed in Sleeper Wagons or Sleeper Wagons.
Sleeper cars offer beds in four-person compartments, while sleeper cars are two-person compartments with a private washbasin and more privacy. Relaxing in the comfort of your bed, watching the moonlit snowy landscape from your window late at night, is one of the most romantic moments of this experience.
The train also has dining cars. These wagons serve hot meals, snacks and drinks throughout the journey. But one of the most beautiful traditions of the Orient Express is that passengers share the food and drinks they have brought with them in their compartments. Transformed into a small picnic table, they instantly turn into a cozy socializing space.
The Magic of the Route: From Ankara to Kars
Starting from Ankara Station, the journey passes through the cities of Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum. In particular, the geography between Erzincan and Erzurum contains the most breathtaking parts of the journey.
The train is usually in the vicinity of Erzincan around sunrise. To be awake at this time is to witness the red-orange hues on the horizon illuminating the snowy mountains. As you move from Erzurum towards Kars, the geography gets harsher and the snowfall increases. This last stage is where the winter scenery peaks.
Last Stop: Kars, the Capital of History and Cold
When you arrive at Kars Station after a journey of approximately 1300 kilometers, you are greeted by a city that makes you feel like you have traveled back in time. With its wide streets and stone buildings bearing traces of Russian architecture, Kars is the perfect finale to the Eastern Express adventure.
Must-see places in Kars:
Kars Castle: Historical building overlooking the city.
Ani Ruins: The "City of 1001 Churches", a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the border with Armenia.
Çıldır Lake: A fascinating lake that freezes completely during the winter months and on which sled safaris are made.
Kars cuisine is a flavor stop in itself. Do not return without trying local flavors such as goose meat, hangel and Kars gruyeri cheese.
Reservation Tips and Best Time to Travel
Due to the great interest in the Eastern Express, tickets are usually sold out as soon as they go on sale. If you want to travel in sleeper or couchette cars, you should closely follow TCDD's ticket sales dates and make your plan months in advance. In particular, December, January and February are the peak months for snowscapes and it is very difficult to find tickets for these dates.
Professional Tip: Be sure to pack warm clothes, thermal underwear and external chargers for taking photos. Although the temperature inside the train is comfortable, you should be prepared for the freezing cold of Kars.
Eastern Express Tour: Turn a Dream into Reality
Eastern Express is not just a train ticket, it is a journey where you invest in your soul. If you want to experience the white magic of winter, the depth of Anatolia and the tranquility of a nostalgic journey, be sure to add this legendary route to your agenda. Book now and take the first step on the most epic journey of your life!
Tour Program
Kars & Erzurum Eastern Express Tour
1 NIGHT 2 DAY KARS- ERZURUM & EASTERN EXPRESS TOUR
1.DAY: Kars - Erzurum & Eastern Express Our tour starts from Trabzon at 23.00 at night. We arrive in Kars in the morning and first stop for breakfast. After our breakfast break, our first stop is Kars War Museum. Then we go to the ancient city of Ani, where we see the Tigran Honnets Armenian Church, Menuchehr Mosque and the ruins of Ani. Then we go to Çıldır Lake, where we have the opportunity to use horse-drawn sleighs on the frozen lake. Then we come to the city center and have the opportunity to buy cheese varieties unique to this region. We complete our tour of the center of Kars and go to our hotel for accommodation. After resting for a while, we get to know the culture of the region more closely with our guests who want to participate in the Caucasian night.
2nd DAY: After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we go to the station for our train journey and after a 4-hour journey between Kars and Erzurum with the 10:00 train, we reach Erzurum and meet our bus waiting for us here and we start exploring Erzurum by eating Cağ Kebab, the flavor of the city. Then we start to visit this historical city, which has always played an important role in all times of our country except the period of national struggle, with the Yakutiye Madrasa and then we end our tour of the city by seeing the Double Minaret Madrasa, Ulu Mosque, and Historical Erzurum Houses. We give you the opportunity to buy souvenirs from the Rüstem Pasha Inn, famous for its Oltu stone, and then we start our journey back to Trabzon. We reach Trabzon late at night.
Professional Guidance
Transportation by vehicle suitable for the number of people
In-car refreshments
Compulsory Travel Insurance
Breakfast at the hotel
Lunch
Dinner
Museum and Ruins Entrance
Caucasian Night Event
30 January - 2 February
46 Seats Available
31 January - 2 February
46 Seats Available
Tour Notes
- In case there is no train ticket between KARS - ERZURUM, our tour will continue by bus and the train ticket fee written on the TCDD website will be refunded. Our guests are kindly requested to be prepared for this situation.
- Our agency and guide can make changes in the itinerary or planning, provided that the tour program is realized.
- Seat number starts from the first reservation and moves from the first row to the back and remains the same throughout the tour.
Tour Recommendations
- Purchasing a Museum card before the tour or at the first place where a Museum card is needed will make your entire trip easier and more convenient.
- It is recommended that you check the weather forecast for the day you will participate in the tour and choose clothes accordingly.
Estimated Expenses
- Museum Card
- Caucasian Night
