Here's All About The Breathtaking 30-hour Train Ride That Sells Out In Just Seconds

Turkey's Dogu Express, historically a commuter train from Ankara to Kars, has gained popularity among Turkish influencers, showcasing the stunning scenery of eastern Turkey.

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What's happening?

The 30-plus hours sleeper train ride, which was turned into a tourist route after popular demand in 2019, covers a distance of 1,310 kilometres (814 miles) and stops at various cities along the way. The train offers passengers a chance to explore off-the-beaten-path treasures and experience the diverse cultures of eastern Turkey. Despite its growing popularity, tickets for the Dogu Express are notoriously hard to come by, often selling out within minutes.

Where and when?

The sleeper train runs from bustling capital, Ankara, to the sometimes snowy wonderland of Kars. It runs three times a week from December to March only, and travels the same route with extended stops, allowing visits to places such as Karanl?k Canyon and the small, mosaic-laden city of Erzincan.

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Why does it sell out fast?

Berry Romo, a travel influencer who has been living in Turkey for over a decade, notes that "the train was already quite popular among locals and Turkish travellers, but barely known among foreign tourists."

Turkish travel agencies usually buy large quantities of tickets to resell for tours they organize, ensuring their clients a place on the train, which is why, according to locals, tickets are gone so soon. Individual tickets can only be bought a month in advance, making them a coveted prize for the few who get them.

How much is the ticket?

Tickets for the touristic Dogu Express cost between 65 euros (2-person sleeper) and 80 euros (1-person sleeper) when booked directly through the Turkish Railways. Excursions (around 10 Euros per excursion) are not included in the price and can be booked separately once you are on the train.

Who should go for it?

Eastern Express in Turkey is one of the most scenic train routes in the world. The famed rail route is perfect during late autumn or winter if you want to experience cinematic views of nature under a blanket of snow. There are two train options for travelling on the same route: touristic and the non-touristic.

Netta Kalpan, a native Minnesotan who lived in the Black Sea coastal area of Trabzon and was used to harsh snowy winters, says she "didn't realize how big, flat, and cold Turkey could be" before taking the train. Yet, she describes the landscape as "stunning, mostly in its vastness."

"I kept trying to take videos out the windows" but felt "like I wasn't able to capture how it really felt to see it," she says.

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