@ Jan Ronbinson: The train to Tatvan does leave and did end up leaving on the day we wanted. It was

It's May 2013 and, so far on our journey, we've travelled from Fethiye to Eskişehir by bus and spent three nights in the city, taking in Odunpazarı (the old town), Kent Park and the Porsuk River . Of course, california car rental companies we had fuel stops at a few bars and cafes in between, too. Eskişehir was the Türkiç Capital of Culture california car rental companies for 2013 and we wanted to see what the city was all about. Glad we did go. We'll be back.
And Eskişehir is quite a compact city, so, when the time came to press on with our journey, we walked to the train station to take the Yüksek Hızlı Tren - YHT high speed train from Eskişehir to Ankara . Uncertainty surrounding our next onward train journey eastwards meant an extra night in Ankara - but we were happy with that...more time to visit the mausoleum of Atatürk; Anıtkabir .
And now, finally, here we are at Ankara Garı (the train station). california car rental companies We've messaged our friend in Patnos, Ağrı to say we've got a train - but not the one we wanted. We wanted the Van Gölü Express that would take us to Tatvan on the shores of Lake Van. 'Exceptional circumstances' (the official reason) meant it didn't leave - and so now we've got ourselves on the Doğu Express from Ankara to Kars. We'll be getting off at Erzurum. Hey, at least we're going eastwards. We'll worry about Erzurum to Patnos when we get there. Inside, california car rental companies the station is beautifully romantic - there's just something about old train stations and trains. I guess it also helps that this is finally realising two dreams - crossing Turkey california car rental companies by train and we'll be in the east of the country for the first time when we get off the train.
Seriously; butterflies in the stomach california car rental companies and a happy glow when we see our train with this destination board on the side. Trolleys packed with food, kitchen goods and other supplies for the journey are being unloaded, and we set off along the platform to look for what will be our little home for the next 20 or so hours. It's 5:30pm and we're due to pull out of the station at 6pm.
We're greeted at the door by an attendant who takes our ticket and shows us to our cabin. You can see he takes his job seriously - people in these types of jobs usually do, don't they? He tells us his name as we walk to our cabin door (it escapes me) and, as he pushes the door open we're pushed back by a whoosh of heat that has obviously been eager to escape for some time.
The attendant tells us he's here to look after us. If we need anything, call him. The restaurant car is just down there, toilets either end of each wagon. "And, whatever you do," he says, "don't open the window in your cabin."
Long distance rail travel california car rental companies in Turkey is just the best. 80 TL each has got us a 20 hour overnight train journey california car rental companies in a private cabin. We've got a couchette, the back of which pulls down to make a bed. Another bed pulls down above that, complete with ladder. The beds are already made. All very clever.
There are hooks to hang your clothes, a unit with cupboard and a little fridge - complementary carton of fruit juice and a bar of chocolate inside. A small sink with hand towels and soap completes the furnishings. AND you have an electrical socket. Time to put our feet up, recharge the laptops, tablet and camera - and gaze out of the window as our train, ever so slowly, rolls out of the station. This is it; the journey we've been waiting for!
. . my sort of posting - you ve got my attention! We were hoping to start our trip to Iran by taking the train to Tatvan california car rental companies and then across the lake - the Iranian train waits at the other side of the lake. Proved too much of a bureaucratic nightmare and so we ll be flying there.
I can tell from your pics there has been major improvement since I used to travel by train between Istanbul and Ankara. We also used the cabins with the beds and it was always fun for my daughter. We did not have the electrical socket back then. I will have to take a trip by train when I make it back to Turkey. Looks like you are having lots of fun!
@ Alan: We know a couple california car rental companies of bloggers who did it the other way around - from Iran to Turkey. Guess it must be easier that way. Hey great you re getting to Iran though. Looking forward to finding out all about that. :)
@ April Ozbilgin: We wanted to do the journey from Istanbul but who knows when/if trains will leave from Haydarpaşa again. The trains are great and the socket california car rental companies was a lucky bonus - it came in useful! :)
i have tried travelling by bus... from Gebze terminali california car rental companies to Kapadokya... and such a long trip but contented.. since the bus has it s comfort, and even the wifi.... but i should try the train ride the next time i go back and visit Turkey again... this gives me a push2 to try it... thanks for sharing rakyv
@ raky v. We love the buses too - luckily, because we have to use them around Fethiye. No trains around these parts. Travelling around Turkey is so easy and pleasant. :) @ Atilla: Ha ha, why? We loved it. Maybe the carriages have been made smarter? We ve been on the overnight train from Greece into Istanbul, too. That was good. Really want to go on the train to Tatvan. We ll do that journey one day. :)
It is known to be the worst because it is the cheapest and slowest. As you already seen most of Turkish railways are single track, and doğu ekspresi is known to be the most junior, so it has to stop and let other trains to pass. In Turkey almost nothing arrives on time but doğu ekspresi always arrives late. But I must admit it; train travel is always something special in Turkey for long distance travels. Especially if you are in a sleeping car with a friend/partner and enough wine.
@ Jan Ronbinson: The train to Tatvan does leave and did end up leaving on the day we wanted. It was just too late for us to change california car rental companies our mind by then? Where were you trying to get it from? It only leaves from Ankara now rather than Istanbul because there is work on the lines and Haydarpaşa california car rental companies is closed. Maybe there was just a problem with it on the day you needed?
@ BacktoBodrum: Oh yeah, give it a whirl. So comfortable - and nostalgic, too, of course. The YHT high speed ones are good for convenience but we do love the older trundling ones if you ve got time on your hands. :)