A new tourist train in Turkey connects the central and eastern parts of the country and passes through the most amazing locations with stunning views. Find out more about the route and ticket prices, as well as other locations that will be available to tourists during the train stops

Order an insurance policy for safe travel, stay or work abroad

BUY

In April 2024, Türkiye launched a new tourist route - the Mesopotamian Express. From now on, you can explore the Asian part of the country and enjoy the stunning scenery by train.

How long is the route, what can be seen and how much is the ticket? Let's talk further.

Route of the Mesopotamian Express

A trip on a new tourist train in Turkey will connect the country's capital, Ankara, and the city of Diyarbakir, and will pass through fascinating places in the central and eastern regions of the country.

The total length of the route is 1051 kilometers. The duration of the excursion is a little more than 24 hours. The train will run every week.

During the tour, passengers will be able to enjoy the scenery and explore the cities in which there will be long stops - three hours each in Kayseri and Malatya and four hours in Elazig. The advantage of the trip is that travelers will have enough time to visit the sights and get to know the local cuisine. Tourists will also drive through harsh desert landscapes and see the snow-capped peak of Mount Erjies, the height of which reaches 3916 meters. The journey will end in Diyarbakir.

Infrastructure of the Mesopotamian Express

The Mesopotamian Express consists of 9 sleeping cars and a restaurant car that offers dishes of Anatolian cuisine. A total of 180 passengers can travel at the same time.

Each compartment accommodates two people. During the day, passengers can ride while sitting, and at night, the seats turn into sleeping places. Also, for the convenience of tourists, the train is equipped with a refrigerator, a sink, a wardrobe and heating.

How much is a tourist express ticket from Ankara to Diyarbakir?

The price of the ticket is from 257 euros from Ankara and 230 euros in the return direction.

What to see along the Mesopotamian Express route?

● Kayseri is the historical capital of the Cappadocia region, which is located at the foot of Mount Ergies. The city is known for its monuments of the Seljuk era. The most notable are the medieval castle and fortifications in the center of the city, as well as the mosques, tombs and religious schools of the 13th century. Be sure to try the city's famous street food here, such as "manty" - dumplings made of minced meat, seasoned with garlic yogurt.

● Malatya is another stop on the express route, a city that is a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between Mesopotamia and Anatolia. Arslantepe burial mound, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is recognized as a historical heritage of the city. During the stop, passengers can explore the city's notable buildings, such as the Old Malatya-Ulu Mosque, as well as the city walls, buy handmade copper products at the Coppersmith's Bazaar and taste local apricots at the Shire market, because the Malatya region is known as the "land of apricots" - it supplies about 50% of Turkey's fresh apricots and 95% of dried apricots.

● Elyazyg – for many centuries, the city was a center of faith, culture and health, thanks to its location on the trade route. It is also the birthplace of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, silent witnesses of glorious times. Be sure to visit the Harput Castle, the Church of the Virgin Mary, one of the oldest places of worship in Anatolia, and the historic Grand Mosque here. Local castles, bazaars, mosques and baths also deserve the attention of travelers.

● Diyarbakir is the final destination of the express train and the cultural heart of Mesopotamia. The city saw the formation and development of 33 civilizations. That is why it currently amazes travelers with its endless variety - from architecture to cuisine. During the trip, visit the walls of Diyarbakır and the Hevsel Gardens cultural and landscape area, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Other attractions of the city include the Great Mosque, Prophet Suleiman Mosque, Ichkale Archaeological Museum, Zerzevan Castle and Mithra Temple. The Egil area stands out for its castle, inns, churches and mosques, as well as the On Gezliu Bridge (Dikle Bridge) and the Malabadi Bridge. Tourists should also try the city's stuffed ribs and the Burmese dessert kadaif.

Why is the launch of the Mesopotamian Express important for Türkiye?

In general, Diyarbakır receives about 1 million tourists annually. However, the launch of the new train will also allow passengers to see the beauty of a large part of Turkey and the cities it will stop at. This is of crucial importance for the development of tourism in the city and the region as a whole.

A trip on the Mesopotamian Express is an interesting experience, because it will surely impress the tourist with the beauty of local landscapes and will be remembered with real comfort.

Photo: Getty Images

Daria Rogova - Head of Insurance at Visit World

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Turkey;

Legal advice on immigration in Turkey;

Insurance for residence permit in Turkey.

More articles on the topic: 

Real estate in Turkey - is it still an attractive investment destination in 2024?

Tourist real estate: prospects and opportunities for investors.