Türkiye launches tourist train to fascinating locations: Route and facilities for passengers
Türkiye launches tourist train to fascinating locations (Photo: gettyimages.com)
In Türkiye, a special tourist train called the Mesopotamia Express will launch. It will take passengers through captivating locations in the central and eastern regions, traveling from Ankara to Diyarbakir and stopping in the most exciting cities.
The inaugural trip is set for April 19, according to euronews.com.
Unique tour across half of the country
Tourists in Türkiye will be able to explore unique historical locations on a journey aboard the special Mesopotamia Express train. It departs from the capital Ankara and heads southeast through a 1051 km route.
The train will stop in Kayseri, Malatya, and Elazig and will arrive in Diyarbakir approximately a day later. During the tour, passengers can enjoy the landscapes and explore the cities where there will be breaks. Tourists will have ample time to visit landmark attractions.
"It is crucial for developing tourism in our city and region. We have made every effort to ensure people see and get to know the region. It will be a crucial tool for people to see and get to know the culture," said Mehmet Kaya, president of the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to him, Diyarbakir receives around 1 million tourists annually. Still, the new train will also allow passengers to see the beauty of a large part of the country and the cities in which it stops.
Photo: Caravanserai in Diyarbakir (ukrainaincognita.com)
The first journey from Ankara is scheduled for April 19, with a return from Diyarbakir on April 21. On April 5, the Mesopotamia Express conducted a promotional tour.
Facilities offered to passengers
The Mesopotamia Express consists of 9 sleeping cars and a restaurant car. Up to 180 passengers can travel on the tour.
Each compartment accommodates two people for sleeping. The cost of travel starts from 257 euros from Ankara and 230 euros in the return direction. During the day, passengers can travel sitting, and at night, the seats convert into sleeping berths. The amenities also include a refrigerator, washbasin, wardrobe, and heating.
During the 1051-kilometer journey, tourists will pass through rugged desert landscapes and the snowy peak of Mount Erciyes, which reaches a height of 3916 meters.
Photo: Restaurant car on the Mesopotamia Express (gettyimages.com)
The train will make three stops along the way. Tourists will have 3 hours to explore Kayseri and Malatya and 4 hours of stopover in Elazığ. This will allow passengers to sample local cuisine and visit archaeological sites.
Interesting locations on the Mesopotamia express route
The historical capital of Cappadocia, Kayseri, is famous for its Seljuk-era monuments - mosques, tombs, and religious schools from the 13th century.
In the nearby ancient city of Malatya, tourists can visit the Arslantepe Tumulus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This open-air museum has palaces, temples, wall paintings, and statues dating back to 3000 BC.
The Malatya region is known as the "land of apricots"—it supplies about 50% of Türkiye's fresh apricots and 95% of its dried apricots.
Photo: Ancient castle in Elazığ (ukrainaincognita.com)
In Elazığ, passengers can taste some of Türkiye's most exciting dishes. Tourists are advised to try Kelecoş—fried meat and onions served on a crust softened in yogurt—a dish with rhubarb, and baked round pastries made of thin dough with layers of beef and walnuts.
We also discussed eight train routes in Europe that will be launched this year. More comfortable trips will be available between multiple countries.
