The Tourist Eastern Express has started its journey.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that they have launched the Touristic Eastern Express in addition to the Eastern Express, saying, "In the new season starting today, we will conduct 60 trips and serve approximately 10,500 travel enthusiasts." Uraloğlu, speaking at the "2024-2025 Season Touristic Eastern Express Train Send-off Ceremony" held at the Historic Ankara Station, said that the Eastern Express, which started its first journey in 1949, has always been in line with Turkish cultural heritage in every period it has served.

75 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS JOURNEY

Pointing out that the Touristic Eastern Express is not just a train journey, Uraloğlu said, "Our express is also a time travel that offers a unique experience for those who want to explore the ancient culture, natural beauties, and rich history of Anatolia. The Eastern Express has been completing its 1360-kilometer route on the Ankara-Kars line in an average of 26 hours for 75 years." he stated.

Uraloğlu recalled that they launched the Touristic Eastern Express on May 29, 2019, with a new understanding, in addition to the Eastern Express, which is one of the most beautiful train routes in the world, and explained that the express is one of the most special means of introducing Turkey's rich culture, natural beauties, and historical heritage to the world in a comfortable way.

IT ATTRACTS GREAT INTEREST

Uraloğlu drew attention to the fact that the train service provides a high-quality, different holiday option for passengers of all ages, especially for young people, nature enthusiasts, and groups wanting to take photographs, stating, "Since its first trip in 2019, 71,000 passengers have traveled with us. In the new season starting today, we will conduct 60 trips and serve approximately 10,500 travel enthusiasts. Our train will offer a unique travel and scenery feast with stops of 2 hours and 30 minutes in Erzincan, 4 hours in Erzurum, 3 hours and 30 minutes in İliç, 2 hours and 30 minutes in Divriği, and 3 hours in Sivas on the Ankara-Kars route." he evaluated.

"THERE IS A STRONG INTEREST IN THE TOURISTIC EASTERN EXPRESS"

Uraloğlu stated that Erzurum was chosen as the tourism capital by the Economic Cooperation Organization in 2025 and as the 'European Winter Sports Capital' by the Federation of European Sports Capitals and Cities. Uraloğlu, who informed that Erzurum will host two important events in 2025, said, "I believe that our train, which will stop in Erzurum for 4 hours, will bring a different movement to the city and that our passengers traveling by train will have the privilege of directly participating in some of the activities that will take place in this city." he said.

Minister Uraloğlu mentioned that there is intense interest in the Touristic Eastern Express, and that citizens sometimes have difficulty finding tickets, especially on trains departing from Ankara to Kars. He pointed out that there are also return trains departing from Kars to Ankara on the same route, stating that it is easier to obtain tickets in that direction.

DIYARBAKIR EXPRESS TICKETS ARE ALSO ON SALE

Uraloğlu recalled that they have also launched new routes such as the Touristic Diyarbakır, Regional Touristic Kars–Erzurum, and Ankara-Tatvan Touristic Expresses due to high demand after the Touristic Eastern Express. He announced that ticket sales for the Touristic Diyarbakır Express's Ankara-Diyarbakır trips started today, stating that the Touristic Diyarbakır Express attracts as much attention and interest as the Touristic Eastern Express.

THERE ARE TRAIN ROUTES ABROAD AS WELL

Uraloğlu stated that they plan the Touristic Diyarbakır Express as 8 train trips with 4 departures and 4 returns in the Ankara-Diyarbakır and Diyarbakır-Ankara directions, saying, "This train will also stop for 3 hours in Malatya on the Ankara-Diyarbakır route and for 4 hours in Elazığ Yolçatı on the Diyarbakır-Ankara route for tourism purposes. In the Regional Touristic Kars-Erzurum Express, we will conduct 24 train trips with 12 departures and 12 returns, and in the Touristic Tatvan Express, we will conduct 4 train trips with 2 departures and 2 returns. For travel enthusiasts, we have train routes not only within the country but also abroad. You can enjoy a comfortable journey to Europe with the Istanbul-Sofia Express, which is one of the most enjoyable and economical ways to reach Europe. In 2024, 37,000 domestic and foreign tourists traveled on the Istanbul-Sofia route.

"WE HAVE STARTED A BRAND NEW ERA IN RAILWAYS"

Minister Uraloğlu explained that the touristic expresses have also opened a new page in Turkey's tourism map and significantly contributed to the country's international promotion.

Uraloğlu pointed out that these trains strengthen cultural interaction by attracting tourists from all over the world to the country, and added: "If we had not made the necessary investments in railways since 2002, it would not have been possible to talk about touristic trains, innovative railways, and train culture today. Under the leadership of our esteemed President, we have started a brand new era in railways and created a renewed spring atmosphere. In 22 years, we have increased our network from 10,948 kilometers to 13,919 kilometers, making the majority of our existing lines electric and signaled. We made Turkey the 6th high-speed train operator in Europe and the 8th in the world. Our railways have caught the change required by the age and have gained a dynamic structure. Of course, we are not stopping... We plan to increase the railway line length to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 and to 28,590 kilometers by 2053.

After his speech, Uraloğlu chatted with the passengers who would travel and gave gifts, and after signing the memory book, he sent off the train service.