The Tourist Eastern Express is starting its services in the 2024-2025 season.

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Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the tours of the Touristic Eastern Express for the 2024-2025 period will start on December 23, stating, "The journey will begin in the direction of Ankara-Kars and will end with the train service in the direction of Kars-Ankara on March 2, 2025."

71 THOUSAND PASSENGERS TRAVELED WITH THE EASTERN EXPRESS

Minister Uraloğlu made a written statement regarding the new season services of the Touristic Eastern Express. Reminding that the first trip was made on May 29, 2019, Uraloğlu stated that 71 thousand passengers have traveled by train so far, and approximately 10 thousand 500 travel enthusiasts will be served in the new season starting on December 23.

Uraloğlu pointed out that there will be 60 trips in total, with 30 departures and 30 returns during the 2024-2025 period, stating, "The journey will begin in the direction of Ankara-Kars and will end with the train service in the direction of Kars-Ankara on March 2, 2025."

THREE TRIPS A WEEK WILL BE MADE

Stating that the trips in the direction of Ankara-Kars will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the Kars-Ankara trips will occur on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, Uraloğlu said, "The trips in the direction of Ankara-Kars will start from the Historical Ankara Station at 13:45, with a 2 hour 30 minute stop in Erzincan and a 4 hour stop in Erzurum. The trips in the direction of Kars-Ankara will start at 21:05, allowing passengers to explore these cities with a 3 hour 30 minute stop in İliç, a 2 hour 30 minute stop in Divriği, and a 3 hour stop in Sivas."

"ALMOST AN OPEN-AIR STUDIO"

Uraloğlu emphasized that they aim to activate the tourism potential of the region with the Touristic Eastern Express, making the following evaluations: "This experience, which we present as an alternative holiday option, promises our passengers an unforgettable winter journey accompanied by the unique landscapes of Anatolia. This route, which is almost an open-air studio for photography enthusiasts, provides an opportunity to see and immortalize the historical and natural beauties of our country from a different perspective. The memories collected at each stop become part of a cultural journey that not only represents a trip but also connects the past with the present."

REGIONAL TOURISTIC KARS–ERZURUM EXPRESS WILL ALSO START OPERATING

Uraloğlu, who announced that the Regional Touristic Kars–Erzurum Express will also start its services, noted: "Due to the high demand for the Touristic Eastern Express, we will launch the Regional Touristic Kars–Erzurum Express, which will make 24 trips. This train will have a capacity of 291 passengers and will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from January 18 to February 23, 2025."