Winter · Train · checked 30 Sep 2026
Eastern Express: Ankara to Kars in winter
Two trains run the long line east to Kars: the daily Doğu Ekspresi with seats and couchettes, and in winter the sleeper-only Touristic Eastern Express with sightseeing stops. Dates and fares from TCDD Taşımacılık, the operator.
Touristic Eastern Express, 2026-2027
Ankara → Kars
Mon 21 Dec 2026 – Wed 10 Mar 2027
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, departs Ankara 13:55 · 35 trains
Sightseeing stops: Erzincan, Erzurum
16,500 low period · 20,000 high period per compartment
Kars → Ankara
Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Fri 12 Mar 2027
Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, departs Kars 21:05 · 35 trains
Sightseeing stops: İliç, Divriği, Sivas
15,000 low period · 18,000 high period per compartment
Tickets
On sale Mon 26 Oct 2026. Individual tickets go on sale on 26 October 2026 through TCDD Taşımacılık's own sales channels; package tours are sold by authorised travel agencies. An individual ticket covers the train only — excursions, flights, transfers and food in the restaurant car are extra.
The operator's table prints no currency sign; TCDD sells domestic tickets in Turkish lira. Low period to mid-January, high period from 18 January (eastbound) / 20 January (westbound).
Sleeping cars of 10 compartments with 2 beds each (20 people per car) and one dining car.
On board
- Tap water is for washing only, not for drinking.
- No kettles, heaters, stoves or gas cylinders in the compartments.
- No smoking anywhere on the train (Law 4207).
- Do not bring outside food into the dining car.
- Ask the car attendant for a wake-up call before your station.
All departure dates
Ankara → Kars
Low period · 16,500
Mon 21 DecWed 23 DecFri 25 DecMon 28 DecWed 30 DecFri 1 JanMon 4 JanWed 6 JanFri 8 JanMon 11 JanWed 13 JanFri 15 Jan
High period · 20,000
Mon 18 JanWed 20 JanFri 22 JanMon 25 JanWed 27 JanFri 29 JanMon 1 FebWed 3 FebFri 5 FebMon 8 FebWed 10 FebFri 12 FebMon 15 FebWed 17 FebFri 19 FebMon 22 FebWed 24 FebFri 26 FebMon 1 MarWed 3 MarFri 5 MarMon 8 MarWed 10 Mar
Kars → Ankara
Low period · 15,000
Wed 23 DecFri 25 DecSun 27 DecWed 30 DecFri 1 JanSun 3 JanWed 6 JanFri 8 JanSun 10 JanWed 13 JanFri 15 JanSun 17 Jan
High period · 18,000
Wed 20 JanFri 22 JanSun 24 JanWed 27 JanFri 29 JanSun 31 JanWed 3 FebFri 5 FebSun 7 FebWed 10 FebFri 12 FebSun 14 FebWed 17 FebFri 19 FebSun 21 FebWed 24 FebFri 26 FebSun 28 FebWed 3 MarFri 5 MarSun 7 MarWed 10 MarFri 12 Mar
Daily Doğu Ekspresi
Runs every day in both directions: Ankara – Kırıkkale – Kayseri – Sivas – Erzincan – Erzurum – Kars. Seated coaches (pulman), couchette cars with 10 compartments of 4 berths (sheets, blanket and pillow provided) and a restaurant car open 06:00–23:59. Summer is the busiest season; in winter the operator notes that walking and photography groups fill the couchettes from late December to mid-March.
Journey time: the operator's pages differ — about 26 hours on the Turkish page and about 16 hours on the English-text page. Check the timetable when you book.
Fare: Not verified Fares are shown only in the booking system for a chosen date; not on a page we could save.
The map shows the Ankara, Erzurum and Kars stations only; the line itself runs via Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas and Erzincan.
Our trip: Eastern Express & Kars, 5–6 days
Our own suggestion, not a package: the Touristic Eastern Express out (a Monday, Wednesday or Friday), three days around Kars, then fly home from Kars or Erzurum — or take the train back. Six days as written; drop Sarıkamış for five.
- Day 1Ankara: board the Touristic Eastern Express (13:55)
- Day 2On the train: sightseeing stops at Erzincan and Erzurum
- Day 3Kars: arrive, the old town and the castle
- Day 4Ani and the Arpaçay gorge
- Day 5Çıldır Lake on the ice
- Day 6Sarıkamış: pine forest or a ski day, then fly out of Kars or Erzurum
Ani's foreign-visitor ticket (€8) is from the Ministry's e-ticket list; its opening hours could not be read. Roads to Ani and Çıldır can be snowbound — ask locally before you go.