The Eastern Express is less a way of getting somewhere than a way of slowing down. Over roughly 24 hours, the train climbs from Ankara across the Anatolian plateau to Kars, trading the speed of a flight for snow-blurred windows, sleeper cabins and a horizon that turns steadily whiter.
- Distance
- ~1,310 km
- Journey time
- ~24 hours
- End station
- Kars (1,768 m)
- Peak season
- Dec – Mar
01Why the Eastern Express
The route became famous almost by accident: a humble scheduled service from Ankara to Kars turned into a social-media phenomenon once travellers discovered the winter scenery. Today there are two trains. The regular Doğu Ekspresi runs all year as cheap public transport, while the seasonal Touristic Eastern Express (Turistik Doğu Ekspresi) is built for the journey itself, with sleeper cabins, longer scenic stops and a deliberately slower pace.
What draws people is the contrast. You board in central Ankara and wake the next morning to the snowfields of Erzincan and Erzurum, before the line finally reaches Kars, a frontier town shaped by Russian-imperial architecture and famed for its cheese and honey.
The point is not the destination but the window — a thousand kilometres of plateau turning white between dinner and breakfast.
02Route & itinerary
- Ankara · departure · Trains leave from Ankara Gar, usually in the evening for the Touristic service
- Kayseri / Sivas · night · Crossed overnight; the snow line typically begins around here
- Erzincan · scenic stop · The Touristic train pauses for photos along the Euphrates valley
- Erzurum · morning · A scheduled stop near Turkey's high winter-sports city
- Kars · arrival · End of the line, base for the Ani ruins and Lake Çıldır
Most travellers do not simply ride the train and turn back. A typical packaged tour adds one to three nights in Kars to cover the Ani ruins and a day trip to frozen Lake Çıldır, then returns either by the same train or by a short flight from Kars Harakani Airport.
032026 ticket types & prices
| Option | Duration | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Eastern Express — seat | ~24 h one way | €35 – €70 |
| Touristic Eastern Express — sleeper cabin | ~24 h one way | €90 – €170 |
| Train + 2 nights Kars package | 4 days | €250 – €450 |
| Full tour incl. Ani & Çıldır | 5–6 days | €450 – €750 |
| Private guided tour (small group) | 5–6 days | €700 – €1,200 |
All figures are an estimated 2026 range in euros and vary by departure date, cabin type and how much of the Kars programme is included. Weekend departures in peak winter sell at the top of each band; midweek trains and the regular service are cheaper. Always confirm the live price before booking.
Live prices & availability
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04Best time to go
The classic window is late December to early March. This is when Erzurum and Kars sit under deep snow and Lake Çıldır freezes thick enough for sleigh rides and ice fishing. The Touristic Eastern Express runs only during these winter months; outside winter you can still ride the regular service, but the snow-postcard scenery that made the route famous is gone. January and February are the most reliable for snow but also the coldest, with Kars regularly dropping well below freezing.
05Ani ruins & Lake Çıldır
The Ani ruins lie about 45 km east of Kars, right on the Armenian border. Once a medieval Armenian capital of tens of thousands, Ani is now a vast, windswept open-air site of churches, a cathedral and city walls — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is especially haunting under snow.
- Cathedral of Ani — 10th–11th century, partly standing
- Church of the Redeemer and Church of St Gregory
- City walls and the ravine marking the modern border
Lake Çıldır, around 1,950 m above sea level, freezes solid in winter and becomes a stage for horse-drawn sleighs and traditional Eskimo-style ice fishing.
- Sleigh rides across the frozen surface
- Ice fishing demonstrations with local fishermen
- Wide-open sunrise and sunset photography
06Practical tips
Dress for genuine cold: layers, thermals, waterproof boots and gloves are essential, as Kars and Çıldır can fall far below zero. Book sleeper cabins as early as you can, since they release in limited numbers and disappear fast. Bring snacks and water for the train — there is a dining car, but stock can be limited on busy departures. Finally, build slack into your plans: winter weather occasionally delays trains, so avoid tight onward connections from Kars.
07Frequently asked questions
How long does the Eastern Express journey take?
The Touristic Eastern Express covers Ankara to Kars in roughly 24 hours one way, with scheduled scenic stops. Most package tours run 4 to 6 days in total, including time in Kars, the Ani ruins and Lake Çıldır.
What is the difference between the Touristic and the regular Eastern Express?
The regular Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) is a standard scheduled service that runs daily and is cheap but books out fast. The Touristic Eastern Express is a seasonal winter train with sleeper cabins, longer photo stops and a slower pace, sold mainly as a tourist experience at a higher price.
When is the best time for the Eastern Express tour?
The winter window from December to March is the classic period, when Erzurum and Kars are under snow and Lake Çıldır freezes solid. The Touristic Eastern Express runs only in these winter months; outside winter only the regular service operates.
Do I need to book the Eastern Express in advance?
Yes. Sleeper cabins on the Touristic Eastern Express and seats on the regular service sell out weeks ahead, especially for weekend departures in peak winter. Booking one to two months in advance is strongly recommended.
What is there to see in Kars beyond the train?
The medieval ruined city of Ani sits about 45 km east of Kars on the Armenian border. Frozen Lake Çıldır offers sleigh rides and ice fishing in winter. Kars itself has Baltic-influenced Russian-era architecture, the Kars Castle and a celebrated local cheese and honey culture.