Touristic Eastern Express will offer an unforgettable journey to 10,500 passengers

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu saw off the first journey of the 2024-2025 season of the Touristic Eastern Express from the Historical Ankara Train Station. Announcing that 60 journeys will be made throughout the new season, Minister Uraloğlu announced that approximately 10,500 travel enthusiasts will be served.

Speaking at the ceremony held for the opening of the Touristic Eastern Express, Uraloğlu emphasized that this train is not only a means of transportation, but also a journey through time for those who want to discover the rich culture, unique nature and historical beauties of Anatolia. Uraloğlu said, "We have been promoting the natural and cultural riches of our country with this train, which has become the locomotive of our tourism sector since 2019."

The Eastern Express has important stops such as Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars on its route. Erzurum will hold the titles of both the Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the European Winter Sports Capital in 2025. It was stated that train passengers will be able to take a 4-hour break in this city and participate in cultural events.

After the Touristic Eastern Express, which attracted great attention, preparations have been completed for the Touristic Diyarbakır Express. Ticket sales for the train, which will operate between Ankara and Diyarbakır, started at 15:00. Minister Uraloğlu made the following statement: "This train will also attract as much attention as the Eastern Express. A total of 8 trips will be organized in the first stage." Minister Uraloğlu also drew attention to the investments made for the expansion of railway networks. Stating that the high-speed train networks have reached 2,251 kilometers, Uraloğlu stated that their goal is to increase the railway network to 28,590 kilometers by 2053. Uraloğlu, who added that international routes also contribute to tourism, reported that the Istanbul-Sofia Express carried 37 thousand passengers this year.

Stating that tourist trains contribute not only to tourism within the country but also to the international promotion of Turkey, Uraloğlu said, "Thanks to these projects, tourists from all over the world visit our country. It is a source of pride to see that our railways have caught up with the changes required by the age."

With the new season, the Touristic Eastern Express and other express trains will continue to carry Turkey's natural and cultural heritage to local and foreign tourists.