I travelled by Ankara Ekspresi several times and it is sad to hear that it won't run for the next two years. This was not the journey itself but the sincere and cosy atmosphere...I heard of passengers who travelled to Istanbul or to Ankara in order just enjoyin' at the restaurant. It was a good facility. I hope it would... More

At 22:00 we board the train and are shown to our compartments. They are immaculate, with comfortable day seating which converts to upper and lower bunks for the overnight travel. There is a wash basin in one corner with hot and cold water and an electrical outlet. To one side is a ladder to be used to ascend to the... More

I have used the Turkish train system several times over the past three years. The return routes I have used are Ankara -Eskisehir and Ankara-Konya. Using the website for information is user friendly and purchasing tickets at the Ankara station is easy also even if you do not know Turkish. The window clerks do not speak english but if you... More

Caught a taxi from Sultanahmet at 6am , ferries dont start until 7am, and took about 45 minutes and cost TL40, to Haydarpasa Rail Station. The train took 4 hours to get to Eskisehir then the Express to Ankara took 1.5 hours. The business class on the Express has picture windows, own entertainment screen and wide reclining seats. Speeds reached... More

Sleepers, coach and special smoking cars. So if you do not smoke, make sure you are NOT booked into the smoking car...as we were. Beautiful scapes from Ankara to Istanbul. You really get to see the villages and the villagers doing their sheep hearding, and wheat thrashing.

We took a sleep car to Istanbul. Although the accommodations were good, we simply had trouble sleeping. Be prepared to order room service as the breckfast car was full. But, all the employees and staff from the railroad station and train were extremely kind and thoughtful.

Decided to take the overnight sleeper service rather than drive or fly. Haydarpasa Station say to get to by ferry and sleeper attendants allowed boarding of train at 2130 for a 2230 departure. Comfortable couchette with two sats turns into two bunk beds. Comfortable bunks with sheets and a blanket. Roomy compartments with sink, power adapter and fridge. Restaurant/ buffet... More

The Ankara Express (Ankara Ekspresi) running between Istanbul and Ankara is my favorite train on the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) system. It's an all-sleeping-car train which departs Istanbul's Haydarpaşa Station on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus at 10:30 pm (22:30) every night, and arrives in Ankara the next morning at 07:07 am, taking 9-1/2 hours for the journey. The... More