Trains are a good way to travel from different points of Europe to Istanbul and the rest of Turkey. You get to travel at a comfortable pace and have more space to sleep and move around. Admittedly, the trains are slower than the bus, but it makes up for this with the space provided, especially if you get a sleeper. The more modern trains are also air-conditioned. We think this is best for long-distance travel; the best option would be to go by a combination of trains and buses. You can ride the train for long distances and then take the bus for cities and towns where the trains do not have a connection.
Turkey (via the Turkish Railways or TCDD) offers good connections for trains going to Istanbul when you’re from another European country or from another point in Istanbul. The key train routes include Ankara to Istanbul, Adana to Konya to Istanbul, Izmir to Istanbul, Goreme (Cappadocia) to Istanbul, Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul, Eastern Turki, Kars and Erzurum to Istanbul, Edirne to Istanbul, Bursa to Istanbul.
You can also get train connections from Bucharest, Vienna, Budapest, Paris, London, Belgrade, Sofia, Athens, Thessaloniki, Cyprus, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Armenia, Iraq, Tehran, Tabriz, Damascus and Aleppo.
Turkish trains vary in the type of accommodations offered. You can choose from the following:
- Couchettes (bunk-compartments with 4 to 6 bunks in a room. These concert to ordinary seating compartments during the day)
- Sleeping cars (for more privacy, these have 1 or 2 bedrooms, plus a washbasin)
- Pullman seats (1st class accommodations, with reclining seats in an open plan area)
- 1st class seats (usually with 6 seats in a compartment)
- 2nd class seats (usually with 8 seats in a compartment)
For long distances, the trains also serve full meals. Some more modern trains also provide compartments that turn into bedrooms, washbasins, towels and soap, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
Train terminals:
Haydarpasa Station: This train station leave mostly for Asian destinations. This is Turkey’s grandest train station. Built in 1908, this station was presented as a gift to the Ottoman Sultan by the German Kaiser. The building was constructed under the close supervision of German architects Helmuth Cuno and Otto Ritter. The station is features sandstone exteriors with the interiors adorned with cornices, marble step, stained glass windows and other baroque-inspired decorations.
You can take the ferry or the bus going to this station. There is also a ferry dock at the station. This is located at the Kadikoy District.
Sirkeci Train Station This is the station where the famed Orient Express made its stops. It is located at the Eminonu district, on Istanbul’s European side and usually service routes from other parts of Europe. The suburban train also provides a link to the Ataturk Airport. This is also home to the Istanbul Railway Museum. On some days, the Whirling Dervishes conduct their ceremonies at the terminal.
For more information on schedules for domestic and international trains to Istanbul, visit www.tcdd.gov.tr. You can even book your tickets via the website.