World · Middle East · 12 hrs ago
Tourist Eastern Express to run 70 trips in 2026-27 winter season
Turkey’s Tourist Eastern Express has carried more than 90,000 passengers since it began operating in 2019.
The train runs between Ankara and Kars, offering views along the route and a comfortable journey.
Its 2026-27 winter season begins on December 21, with trips from Ankara to Kars scheduled through March 10, 2027, and return trips from December 23 to March 12.
The service will make 70 trips, with 35 in each direction.
Compartment prices are set at 15,000 Turkish lira in December, 18,000 lira in late January and 20,000 lira during the school midyear break.
Tickets for individual travellers go on sale today, with some sold directly by TCDD Transport and others through approved travel agencies.
The train has become a tourism attraction, and officials say other tourist rail routes also operate or are being considered.
The Tourist Eastern Express will run 70 trips in the 2026-27 winter season, with 35 in each direction.
The Ankara-to-Kars service will run from December 21, 2026, to March 10, 2027, and the return service from December 23, 2026, to March 12, 2027.
Individual tickets were scheduled to go on sale on November 8 at 13:55.
TCDD Transport General Manager Ufuk Yalçın said the train had carried more than 90,000 passengers since 2019.
For the 2025-26 season, 10,166 passengers travelled on the train.
- Who
- The Tourist Eastern Express, operated by TCDD Transport.
- What
- It will run 70 trips in the 2026-27 winter season, with 35 in each direction.
- When
- The season runs from December 21, 2026, to March 12, 2027, depending on direction.
- Where
- Between Ankara and Kars, Turkey.
- Why
- It offers passengers a rail journey to explore Turkey’s natural, historical and cultural attractions.
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Individual tickets for the new season were scheduled to go on sale at 13:55.
The first Ankara-to-Kars trip of the season is scheduled.
The Kars-to-Ankara service is scheduled to begin.
The scheduled Ankara-to-Kars service period ends.
The scheduled Kars-to-Ankara service period ends.
- Total trips
- 70, with 35 in each direction
- Ankara-to-Kars dates
- December 21, 2026–March 10, 2027
- Kars-to-Ankara dates
- December 23, 2026–March 12, 2027
- Passengers since 2019
- More than 90,000
- Passengers in 2025-26
- 10,166
What people are saying
The Tourist Eastern Express will operate a total of 70 trips in the 2026-27 winter season, 35 in each direction.
The Tourist Eastern Express, with the scenery it offers on the Ankara-Kars route and its comfortable travel experience, has become an important tourism brand with more than 90,000 passengers.