31-hour sleeper train across the whole of Turkey (in a seat)

I rode Turkey's viral 30-hour train through the snow and the mountains.

The Dogu Express is an 800-mile train journey all the way across Turkey, from Ankara out to Kars. On the 800-mile route, you pass some of Turkey's best mountains and valleys, and get to enjoy it with freshly-cooked food and coffee. And all that for 400 Lira (roughly $12).

(these are referral links, where I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you)

But since videos of it travelling through the snow went viral on Turkish Instagram, it's impossible to get a ticket for the sleeper beds, and sitting up for 30 hours on a Turkish train is no picnic. (even if it was somewhere outside of home where I brought and ate food and therefore probably qualifies as a picnic)

I was on the normal Doğu Ekspresi, after doing this I would probably also recommend doing the same. It's so much cheaper and if you want to visit Erzurum, I would just go and do that at your own pace, rather than on on excursion. Read the seat61 Turkey page for all the advice you need. I was working with Amber Travel who I can 100% recommend, they consistently tried to get me on one of the sleeper beds by checking for cancellations for me until the very last second, and also helped me get a ticket for another journey I did in Turkey and provided a lot of good advice.

türki̇ye'de yabanci

#travel #trains #turkey

[brk_can]

The Turkish flag watermark was there well before everyone had a camera in their pockets. You can see it in photos from ~100 years ago.

[tompaulathesenioritinerant]

We were on this train to Kars early January 2024. Many seat available in the winter. We just had a seat and even got a 50% discount ( $6.00 )being in our mid seventies. I was surprised they gave the discount to non citizens. We also took the return in late February 2024 . Saw much more since some of the trip to Kars was at night. I believe we were only English speaking passengers in both directions? Our journey was 40 hours due to a landslide covering the tracks in the canyon area. Great video and narritive. Life is good .
Tom Thorsen & Paula Wolber.
USA

Ps I wished they dimmed the lights at night!

[ageoflove]

These sort of long distance trains a bit off the beaten path gives you the feeling of travel like no other. I can remember one day during the Trans-Siberian Express journey we had a longer stop in Novosibirsk. I just went outside to the station square and bought a sandwich at some kebab stall there. And suddenly that moment thats so hard to describe hits you: " Im eating a kebab in freaking Novosibirsk..." Only a train like that can provide that sense of how far you have traveled.

[imcronus]

idk why but as a turkish person the vibe and the video overall made me feel emotional 🥹

[Gtronyx]

I've also been on the train, was a lovely experience. Ankara is my current place of residence, and Kars which is the final destination is me and my dad's hometown and I was getting to see it for the first time ever, so it was a wonderful experience cruising through the countryside. If you're lucky enough, you may even be awake to see the Euphrates and Kizilirmak Rivers :) Definitely recommend, the price is also dirt cheap

[paulstorey]

Took the Dogu express from Istanbul to Erzurum 53 years ago

[strawanza]

We just visited Turkey for 2 months and your feelings in the beginning as well as how they turn just describes our experience exactly. We came with the Overnight train from Bulgaria, a bit nervous about how Turkey would be. We went to some random Cafe in Istanbul for breakfast, not able to speak any Turkish word, but were welcomed with a smile from everybody. We continued our journey with the 16€ first class high speed train to Karaman, which was crazy. Never been on a more luxurious train. Breakfast, Wifi, VERY comfortable seats, all included. The next 2 months we experienced hospitality out of this world, especially in the rural areas. Turkey since has a special place in my heart.

[plonss]

I did all these long distance Turkish trains in the 1980s. Besides the Doğu Ekspres, there was the equally interesting Tatvan Ekspres to Lake Van and the Kurtalan Ekspress to a place east of Diyarbakır. Back then they had all single, very comfortable sleeping compartments and old fashioned restaurant cars with hot meals and alcoholic drinks, and their starting point was not Ankara but İstanbul. What definitely improved is that the Turkish railways now generally keep to the timetable. Back then delays of half a day or even more no exception. ...

[windmacky]

I loved the way he was excited about every small detail all along the journey. That's so sweet. Hope you enjoyed your visit to Türkiye.

[stevenshearer]

A very well made, honest, brilliantly narrated travel video.

[andersbrixserup]

Turkish countryside people are extremely friendly and generous. I have had similar experiences.

[davidshuck]

Excellent video! Summer before last I traveled from Lisbon to Tbilisi by train and the Dogu Express was the highlight of the trip. I was also the only non-Turk "yabanci" on the train and everyone was also so welcoming and kind despite the language barrier. I was lucky enough to get a couchette and got off in Erzurum, would love to go back and take it again in the winter.

[SuperHappyface]

A surprisingly moving story Tom, thanks for sharing!

[melisdogan]

oh man, this video made me cry. i’m turkish living abroad and when you started talking about how you were forcibly offered a bread roll, and how despite being the only foreigner, they made you feel welcome, it really hit me how much i miss my home. funnily enough, my dad is from kars, but i’ve never been as i was told it’s “dangerous” there. if a tourist is brave enough to go however, maybe it’s time for me to start hunting for tickets also :’)

[Casinosquare]

Tom 'gets' the little, non instagrammable moments in travelling that make it...i don't know...memorable. Lovely travelogue and his storytelling style is so watchable, thanks dude!

[niklas]

Can I just say that this video was one of the best you've made so far. The editing, the scenery, the whole composition - simply perfect. You've probably inspired me to travel more and actually use my "Klimaticket" here in Austria. Warm spring greetings from Vienna ❤

[hasimrutkayboyac]

What a video! Thanks for sharing the "Doğu Ekspresi" with your followers Tom, I hope somebody from here watching this video will take that wonderful journey across Anatolia. I hope I will be doing that next winter. Love from Izmir, from a Turkish follower of yours .And do not forget to come to the Aegean part of Turkey.

[GreatGreebo]

I know the exact feeling you had when you were finally laying down to sleep after such a long journey to a new place. Brilliant video, thank you.

[ianm]

The hits just don't stop coming. Love watching your adventures!

[timor]

another beutiful video. it is the gentle nature of your voice and observations which really sets you apart