Dogu Express
New Dogu Express, Turkey’s most popular train, will start service on 29th of May.
After creating a huge tourism on NorthEast end of Turkey, new train may popularize some regions on way.
Here’s scorecard of Dogu Express:
Departure point is good
Dogu Express is departing from Ankara. Ankara is in the popular touristic destinations of Turkey. But it has very strong transport connections with many regions in Turkey. Accommodation and shopping in city is very good.
Arrival point is very good
Destination of the train is Kars. Kars has attractions like Cildir Lake, Ani Ruins and Sarikamis Ski Center. Accommodation is strong, 3 departures from Kars Airport to Istanbul.
Excursions on way are not unveiled
Train will stop at Kemah and Erzurum on Eastbound, Divrigi and Bostankaya/Sivas on Westbound. There’s told to be an excursion to Karanlik Kanyon (Dark Canyon).
Route of train is unique
Travel time is 24 hours in standard train, 27 hours in new train. During day time, train is passing through deep valleys, canyons, mountains and rivers. Endless view especially under snow inspires travellers and photographers.
Timetable, fares and other details of Touristic Dogu Express
Categories: Passenger
Rail Turkey En 
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL OVERNIGHT SLEEPERS LEAVE FROM HYDARPASA STATION.
ISTANBUL TO IZMIR
ISTANBUL TO KONYA AND ANTALYA IF POSSIBLE
ISTANBUL TO ADANA SLEEPER VIA ANKARA
i have travelled on the Adana to Ankara overnight – Ankara to Kars – istanbul to Denizli and all were fantastic. This was a couple of years ago. The route in to Istanbul – Hydarpasa through the mountains
early morning in summer was spectacular, with water gushing down the streams and men on tall ladders picking cherries in the orchards. Very special and has me hooked on all sleeper train trips.
But we should not forget that the old, traditional Dogu will loose its sleeper cars, which is not a good evolution.
Haydarpaşa station site is lost to Kalkhedon historic site during restoration works. Closest possibilities are Harem, Kadıköy and Söğütlüçeşme.
Yes Petra is absolutely correct. Essential that trains depart from the magnificent, historic, Hydarpasa station. Also information available in English as well as Turkish would be incredibly helpful to many travellers.
I shall go by Dogu express for tourist from Ankara to Kars. What about food. Do we get food free or do we have to buy.
You have to buy at dining car or bring. Or you can eat at stops.
I realise that diesel power must be provided to provide electricity to power the dining cars etc but it would be wonderful if a steam locomotive could be added at some stage between Ankara and Kars.
How about some connection to northern turkey. Would love to travel to Trabzon, Rize and Artvin to stay in highlands. Seems to that there is not much options to reach them rather than bus and minibuses.
No rail connection to that region unfortunately.