Ege Express
Ege Express used to run between Izmir and Eskisehir. Currently it’s running between Izmir and Balikesir. It’s not very clear if tourism train will stick to the same route or not.
Here’s the scorecard of Ege Express:
Excellent departure point
Izmir is an excellent departure point. There are direct flights to Ankara and Istanbul. City and around offers many options for accommodation, food and beach/sun.
Arrival point should change
Ege Express arrives at Balikesir. It’s not a good place to end the tour. Travelers have not many alternatives to reach to other cities.
One option is to extend the route to Eskisehir. Another is extend to Bandirma, which has ferry connection to Istanbul. A completely different route from Izmir to Pamukkale is another option.
Pergamon is on way
The most important attraction point on way from Izmir to Balikesir is Pergamon. 40 km from Soma Station. It certainly deserves to be visited.
As Erzurum has become a routine for Dogu Express passengers with “cag kebab”, Manisa or Akhisar may be good lunch stops for Ege Express.
Travel is short, excursion is long
The travel time is 5 hours. Bergama excursion and Akhisar stop will double the total time.
In case the route is extended to Bandirma, Eskisehir or Denizli, all should be reconsidered again.
Categories: Passenger
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.
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No rail connection to that region unfortunately.
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