2024-2025 Touristic Eastern Express Season to Begin on Dec. 23
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu revealed that the upcoming 2024-2025 season of the popular Eastern Express will kick off on December 23, with a journey from Ankara to Kars and back to Ankara concluding on March 2, 2025. Since its inception on May 29, 2019, the Eastern Express has carried 71,000 passengers, and the new season is expected to accommodate around 10,500 travel enthusiasts.
Exciting Itinerary and Schedule for the Eastern Express
Minister Uraloğlu outlined that the 2024-2025 period will see a total of 60 trips, evenly split between departures and returns. The route will commence from Ankara to Kars and back, featuring trips from Ankara to Kars on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and returns from Kars to Ankara on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Unique Stops and Exploration Opportunities
During the journey from Ankara to Kars, the train will depart from the Historical Ankara Station at 1:45 p.m., making a 2.5-hour stop in Erzincan and a four-hour stop in Erzurum. The return trips from Kars to Ankara will commence at 9:05 p.m., including stops in İliç, Divriği, and Sivas, allowing passengers to explore these cities during 3.5, 2.5, and three-hour layovers respectively.
Enhancing Tourism Potential with the Eastern Express
Minister Uraloğlu expressed the government's commitment to leveraging the Eastern Express to boost tourism in the region, offering travelers a unique winter journey through Anatolia's breathtaking landscapes. The route serves as an open-air studio for photography enthusiasts, granting them the chance to capture the historical and natural wonders of Turkey from a fresh perspective.
Introducing the Kars-Erzurum Express
In response to the high demand for the Eastern Express, Minister Uraloğlu announced the introduction of the Kars-Erzurum Express, which will operate for 24 trips. This new service, running from January 18 to February 23, 2025, will accommodate 291 passengers and run on Saturdays and Sundays.
