Uraloğlu: Our Railways Have Embraced the Changes Required by the Era

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, officially launched the first voyage of the Tourist Eastern Express for the new season. Minister Uraloğlu announced that the express will operate a total of 60 trips, stating, "We will serve approximately 10,500 travel enthusiasts." He also announced that ticket sales for the Tourist Diyarbakır Express would begin today at 3:00 PM.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Historical Ankara Train Station for the first voyage of the Tourist Eastern Express for the 2024-2025 season, Minister Uraloğlu said, "We are sending off the Tourist Eastern Express, which has become the locomotive of our country's tourism sector since it began service in 2019, both literally and figuratively. This is a beautiful and significant day for us."

Recalling that the Eastern Express commenced its first journey in 1949, Uraloğlu remarked, "Throughout its service, the Eastern Express has traversed the tangible and intangible values of Turkish cultural heritage. For 75 years, it has announced the rhythm of iron rails starting with a train whistle in the heart of Anatolia, carrying the warmth of reunifications after many longings in our hearts. We have gathered here once again to hear the soothing rhythm of the iron rails beating in the heart of Anatolia."

Minister Uraloğlu noted that the Tourist Eastern Express provides not just a train journey, but a unique time travel experience for those wishing to explore Anatolia's ancient culture, natural beauty, and rich history.

"We Launched the Tourist Eastern Express with a New Perspective" Uraloğlu expressed that the Eastern Express has been completing its 1,360-kilometer route on the Ankara-Kars line in an average of 26 hours for 75 years. He added, "We introduced the Tourist Eastern Express on May 29, 2019, with a new understanding, which is now one of the most special vehicles for showcasing Turkey's rich culture, natural beauties, and historical heritage to the world in a much more comfortable manner."

"We will serve 10,500 travel enthusiasts" Stating that they provide high-quality, alternative holiday options for passengers of all ages, particularly young people, nature enthusiasts, and photography groups, Uraloğlu continued: "Since its first journey in 2019, a total of 71,000 passengers have traveled with us. In the new season starting today, we will conduct a total of 60 trips, with 30 from Ankara to Kars and 30 from Kars to Ankara. We will serve approximately 10,500 travel enthusiasts."

Uraloğlu also emphasized that the train would offer a unique travel and scenery delight with stops of 2 hours and 30 minutes in Erzincan, 4 hours in Erzurum on the Ankara-Kars route, and 3 hours and 30 minutes in İliç, 2 hours and 30 minutes in Divriği, and 3 hours in Sivas on the Kars-Ankara route.

Break in the Tourism Capital Erzurum Recalling that Erzurum was chosen as the Tourism Capital by the Economic Cooperation Organization in 2025, Uraloğlu said, "Additionally, it was selected as the European Capital of Winter Sports by the European Capitals and Cities of Sports Federation. It is indeed a beautiful coincidence that Erzurum will host two significant events in 2025. I believe our train, which will have a 4-hour stop in Erzurum, will bring additional movement to Erzurum and that our passengers traveling by train will have the privilege of directly participating in some activities happening in Erzurum."

Minister Uraloğlu noted the high demand for the Tourist Eastern Express, stating, "As a result, they may experience difficulties finding tickets, especially on our trains traveling from Ankara to Kars. However, there are also return trains from Kars to Ankara on the same route. It is relatively easier to obtain tickets in this direction as the demand is somewhat lower. Our citizens can travel by train from Ankara and return from Kars using other modes of transport, or they can first go to Kars and then return to Ankara by train."

"Ticket sales for our Tourist Diyarbakır Express will start today at 3:00 PM" Minister Uraloğlu stated that due to high demand following the Tourist Eastern Express, they have launched new routes such as the Tourist Diyarbakır Express, Regional Tourist Kars-Erzurum Express, and the Ankara-Tatvan Tourist Express, and continued his remarks: "In fact, ticket sales for the Ankara-Diyarbakır direction trips of our Tourist Diyarbakır Express will also start today at 3:00 PM. As you know, the Tourist Diyarbakır Express was listed among the 100 best places to visit in the world in the annual special issue of Time Magazine. It is as remarkable and captivating as the Tourist Eastern Express."

Tourist Diyarbakır Express Will Conduct a Total of 8 Trips Uraloğlu added that they plan to operate a total of 8 train trips for the Tourist Diyarbakır Express in 2025 between Ankara-Diyarbakır and Diyarbakır-Ankara with 4 outbound and 4 return trips. He mentioned, "This train will stop for 3 hours in Malatya on the Ankara-Diyarbakır trip, and for 4 hours in Elazığ Yolçatı on the Diyarbakır-Ankara trip. Similarly, we will conduct a total of 24 train trips with 12 outbound and 12 return services for our Regional Tourist Kars-Erzurum Express, and total of 4 train trips with 2 outbound and 2 return services for the Tourist Tatvan Express."

37,000 Passengers Traveled on the Istanbul-Sofia Route Uraloğlu pointed out that their train routes extend beyond domestic boundaries, stating, "One of the most enjoyable and economical ways to reach Europe is through the Istanbul-Sofia Express, where you can have a comfortable journey to Europe. In 2024, 37,000 domestic and foreign tourists traveled on the Istanbul-Sofia route."

He also explained that tourist express trains have opened a new chapter on Turkey's tourism map and contributed to international promotion: "These trains attract tourists from all over the world to our country, fostering cultural interaction and nurturing the seeds of tolerance. How did we achieve this? Since 2002, without making the necessary investments in railways, it would not have been possible to talk about tourist trains, innovative railroads, and a train culture today..."

"Our Railways Have Captured the Change Required by the Era" Emphasizing that they have embarked on a new era in railways under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Uraloğlu remarked, "In 22 years, we have increased our network from 10,948 kilometers to 13,919 kilometers, making the majority of our existing lines electric and signaled. By connecting our country with high-speed trains, we expanded our High-Speed Train Network to 2,251 kilometers. We made Turkey the 6th high-speed train operator in Europe and the 8th in the world. Since their launch, our high-speed train lines have served nearly 93 million passengers nationwide. Our railways have captured the change demanded by the era and have gained a dynamic structure."

He outlined their plan to increase the railway line length to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 and to 28,590 kilometers by 2053, stating, "We envision a scenario where we can reach all of Turkey with a dreamlike journey using high-speed trains in just 48 hours, and we are working towards this."