Pamukkale Express
Pamukkale Express is another touristic route crossing Central Anatolia. It used to depart from Istanbul once. New departure is from Eskisehir.
Here’s the scorecard of Pamukkale Express:
Departure point is excellent
Eskisehir is an excelent point for start. The Mayor has leaded a great change in this city with pedestrian-friendly streets, river crosing the city, parks, statues, old houses and lively city life. It deserves at least a day before travel. It’s very easy to reach to city from Istanbul, Ankara and Konya by HST.
Route can be extended
Pamukkale Express arrives at Denizli, where Pamukkale, the travertines located nearby.
However, transport connections of the city is not very strong. Thus, it’s better to stop by, rather than ending the travel there. Selcuk/Efes is only 3 hours away. The travel may end at Izmir. Eskisehir-Pamukkale-Selcuk/Efes-Izmir route may be one of the best train routes wordwide.
Interesting stops in Central Anatolia
In case train continues to run until Denizli, there are three attractions to stop by. Phrygia Valley, Aizanoi ruins and Salda Lake.
With current format daytime, with extended version overnight train
Timetable may be changed allowing more time for stops.
In case it’s extended to Izmir, departure from Eskisehir at night, visit to Pamukkale in the morning, traveling to Selcuk at noon, half day excursion at Ephesus and arrival at Izmir at night may be tiring, but surely amazing.
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.