As Pakistani travellers increasingly seek meaningful, experience-led journeys beyond conventional destinations, rail travel is emerging as a compelling choice. One such experience is Türkiye’s Touristic Eastern Express, an iconic overnight train journey between the capital Ankara and the eastern city of Kars. Offering sweeping views of snow-covered plains and mountains, the journey combines winter scenery, comfort, and cultural depth, making it an appealing winter escape for Pakistani travellers looking for snow without the complexities of European travel.
Blending nostalgia, scenic travel, and sustainability, the Touristic Eastern Express has earned international recognition as one of the world’s most impressive train journeys and is steadily gaining popularity among travellers from Pakistan.
Türkiye’s Most Sought-After Train Ride
The gentle rhythm of the rails, cosy private cabins, and snow-draped landscapes transform the Eastern Express into far more than a train journey, it becomes a winter fairytale across Anatolia. Operating in both directions between Ankara and Kars, the route is visually striking either way, though travel from the capital to Kars remains the preferred option for uninterrupted winter scenery.
The Touristic Eastern Express departs three times a week from both cities, with tickets available online. Due to its popularity, tickets sell out quickly, making advance booking essential. The approximately 24-hour journey offers sleeping cabins with beds, a sink, and a small fridge, making it particularly suitable for families, couples, and honeymooners. Passengers may bring their own food for a relaxed onboard picnic or dine in the restaurant car before settling in for the night. Many travellers personalise their cabins with soft lights and décor, creating a warm, homely atmosphere that has become popular on social media.
Departing from Ankara, the train passes through Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan, and Erzurum, before arriving in Kars. Planned stopovers allow passengers to explore historic towns and natural landscapes, including several sites of cultural and historical significance. Depending on the direction of travel, these stops offer opportunities to discover Anatolia’s rich heritage beyond the train window.
The Most Magical Winter Destination
The scenic rail journey concludes in Kars, a city celebrated for its layered history, snow-covered surroundings, and distinctive regional cuisine. One of Anatolia’s oldest settlements, Kars offers Pakistani travellers a calm and authentic winter destination, away from overcrowded tourist centres, yet rich in history and character.
Just outside the city lies Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site once known as the “city of 1001 churches.” Home to churches, mosques, baths, and imposing fortification walls, Ani reflects centuries of shared Christian and Muslim history, making it a compelling cultural stop for Pakistani visitors interested in heritage and architecture.
Kars’s natural surroundings further enhance its winter appeal. In Sarıkamış, visitors can ski on crystal-clear snow and enjoy traditional sledge rides amid pine forests and mountain views. Nearby Lake Çıldır, located on the Kars–Ardahan border, becomes a frozen spectacle during winter. Horse-drawn sleighs glide across the ice while local fishermen break through the frozen surface to catch carp, an unforgettable scene that has become one of eastern Türkiye’s most recognisable winter images.
Evenings in Kars offer immersive cultural experiences, with dinner events featuring traditional aşık atışması (verbal minstrel duels), Caucasian folk dances, and a carefully curated menu. The region’s hearty winter cuisine including goose meat, local cheeses, honey, mantı, and regional beverages resonates strongly with Pakistani tastes. Visitors can also explore the Cheese Museum in Boğatepe village to learn about Kars’s long-standing cheese-making traditions and sample a variety of locally produced cheeses.