Train or Plane on Eastern Express Tours? A Route and Experience Guide

For those who want to explore Eastern Anatolia, the choice of transport directly shapes the experience of the trip. A flight gets you to the region faster, while the train offers the chance to watch the scenery, settle into the rhythm of the journey, and discover the different faces of Anatolia at a gentler pace. The Unique Eastern Express and Nakhchivan Tour, starting from Istanbul, is a comprehensive 5-night, 6-day program that centers on the train journey and allows the two options to be compared.

How does the Eastern Express experience begin from Istanbul?

On this focus tour, the meeting point is Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme High-Speed Train Station. Guests gather at 05:00 and board the High-Speed Train departing for Ankara at 05:30. After this first leg of roughly 4.5 hours, the group reaches Ankara Old Train Station at 10:30. There, after meeting the guide, they transfer to the Güney Kurtalan Express.

The long train experience truly begins at 11:20. On this journey of about 23 hours, travelers ride in pullman, couchette, or sleeper compartments depending on the type of ticket purchased. Traveling through the interior of Anatolia, accompanied by the steppes of Kırıkkale, the mountains of Kayseri, and the landscapes around Sivas, creates an atmosphere that cannot be experienced on a flight. Here the train is not merely a means of transport but one of the defining experiences of the tour itself.

Train or plane: The difference in experience

Reasons to choose the train

Train travel appeals to those who want to devote time to the journey itself. Watching the changing geography from the window, resting in the compartment, and chatting with fellow travelers strengthens the social side of the tour. Especially in the sleeper or couchette options, the long journey can settle into a more comfortable rhythm. For those who want to take photographs, read a book, or simply follow the scenery, the train offers a form of exploration that begins before reaching the destination.

The Istanbul-departure program includes the Istanbul-Ankara high-speed train ticket, the long train leg from Ankara, luxury bus transfers within the region, hotel accommodation, breakfasts, two dinners, all excursions, and on-board refreshments on the bus, all within the package. Travel insurance and parking fees are also among the included services.

Reasons to choose the plane

A flight can be more practical for those who want to cover the long distance quickly and extend their time for sightseeing in the region. However, in flight-based programs the train experience usually remains confined to a particular part of the tour. For example, the train-outbound, flight-return Eastern Express tour offers the sleeper train journey on the way out while planning the return by air. This model suits those who want to experience the atmosphere of the train but prefer a faster return.

The Touristic Eastern Express tour, departing from Ankara, also uses the train-out, plane-back approach. In this option the starting point is Ankara Train Station, so travel from Istanbul to Ankara must be arranged separately. Therefore, for travelers departing from Istanbul, the focus tour with a meeting point at Söğütlüçeşme offers a more complete alternative, since it includes the first leg of transport within the program itself.

Who is this tour suitable for?

The Istanbul-departure program stands out for those who place train travel at the heart of their trip, enjoy long scenic stretches, and want to experience the Eastern Express route without rushing. On this cultural tour, transport and sightseeing are not disconnected; they are parts of the same travel flow.

Since the meeting takes place early in the morning at Söğütlüçeşme, those coming from different districts of Istanbul will find it helpful to plan their transport a day in advance. Those considering joining from the Sakarya and Sapanca areas should also account for travel time to the Istanbul meeting point. Because the train ticket type can vary between pullman, couchette, or sleeper, it is important to check this choice at the time of booking.

2026 departure dates and preparation tips

The announced upcoming departure dates for the tour are 14 November 2026, 20 November 2026, and 21 November 2026. For the five-night, six-day program, you can prepare seasonal layered clothing, comfortable shoes, personal care products, and small items you can use on the long train journey. Hotels include four breakfasts and two dinners, and on-board refreshments on the bus are also included in the package.

When deciding, the key question is: is reaching the region more important to you, or living the journey itself? If speed and time are your priorities, the flight options may offer an advantage. If you want to watch Anatolian landscapes, feel the rhythm of the train, and travel along a well-structured route starting from Istanbul, the 5-night, 6-day Istanbul-departure Eastern Express and Nakhchivan tour offers a more rewarding experience. For more options, you can browse the Eastern Express tours category.