Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has announced that the Touristic Eastern Express (Turistik Doğu Ekspresi) will resume its journeys for the 2025–2026 season starting tomorrow.

In a statement on X, Minister Uraloğlu said the popular tourist train service will continue operating until March 1, 2026, offering passengers a unique winter travel experience across eastern Türkiye. He noted that the train has become one of the country’s most iconic rail tourism routes, especially during the winter months.

Departing from Ankara, the Touristic Eastern Express travels through Sivas, Erzincan, and Erzurum before reaching its final destination in Kars. The specially scheduled winter journeys allow passengers to experience the cultural, historical, and natural beauty of eastern Anatolia, often blanketed in snow, creating a scenic and memorable experience.

The minister emphasized that the service highlights the rich cultural heritage and natural landscapes of the eastern provinces, contributing significantly to regional tourism. Each year, the train attracts strong interest from both domestic and international tourists, many of whom plan their winter holidays around the route.

Officials say the Touristic Eastern Express also plays an important role in promoting rail travel as an alternative form of tourism, enabling travelers to explore Türkiye’s diverse regions in a comfortable and environmentally friendly way.

With the new season beginning, tourism stakeholders expect continued high demand for tickets, reinforcing the train’s status as a flagship project in Türkiye’s growing rail tourism sector. (ILKHA)