Traveling to Kars and Erzurum on the Doğu Ekspresi: What You Need to Know

For many travelers, spending hours watching the snow-covered Eastern Anatolian plateau roll past the window isn't a tiring commute. It becomes the most unforgettable moment of their holiday. TCDD's Doğu Ekspresi line, which runs from Ankara all the way to Kars, has become one of Türkiye's most talked-about domestic travel routes in recent years. Perhaps you're curious about this famous train journey: where you can explore along the route, what to eat and drink, where to capture the best photos, and how to prepare for the trip. If so, you've come to the right place.

What Is the Doğu Ekspresi and Why Is It So Popular?

The Doğu Ekspresi is a passenger train that departs from Ankara Station and passes through Kırıkkale, Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum and Sarıkamış stations, reaching Kars after a journey of roughly 24-26 hours. This long route covers more than 1,300 kilometers and has operated regularly for years, but its real fame came after 2019. Snowy landscape photos shared on social media made the route go viral, and since then getting a ticket has turned into a real challenge, especially in winter. The train is loved not just for its destination but because the journey itself becomes an experience in its own right. Fellow travelers you meet in the compartments, tea sipped in the dining car and the steppe scenery drifting past the window turn an ordinary trip into a holiday. That's why the Doğu Ekspresi is no longer seen merely as a way to get from one place to another. It has become a travel experience people choose for its own sake.

Let Us Plan Your Kars and Erzurum Trip

Planning the Kars and Erzurum route on your own can take days. Sümela Tur's package tour comes with transportation, itinerary and guiding planned from start to finish.

• A tour with transportation, route and schedule fully planned
• Sightseeing with a guide who knows the region
• Peace of mind with a TÜRSAB-licensed agency
• Choice of a group tour or a private vehicle tour for your family

You can view dates, prices and the itinerary on the Kars Erzurum Tour page and book online. If you'd like a plan tailored to you or your group, message us on WhatsApp and we'll put the route together with you.

Places to Visit Along the Route: Erzurum, Sarıkamış, Çıldır and Kars

The greatest advantage of the Doğu Ekspresi journey is the chance to discover several cities along a single route. In Erzurum, you can tour historic landmarks such as the Çifte Minareli Medrese, Erzurum Castle and Taşhan, and visit the Congress Building in the city center. A little further on, in Sarıkamış, famous for its ski resort, you can take a short break among the Scots pine forests. Winter visitors rarely leave without seeing the ski resort. At the route's final stop, Kars, you'll find landmarks that preserve the city's historic fabric, including Kars Castle, the Fethiye Mosque, the stone bridge and the Church of the Twelve Apostles. Çıldır Lake, near Kars, freezes over completely in winter and becomes an enchanting scene where you can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides across the ice. In summer, the green meadows and birdwatching spots around the lake draw visitors. If you have time, we highly recommend visiting the Ani Archaeological Site, about 45 kilometers east of Kars. With more than a thousand years of history, this ancient city is one of the region's most striking open-air museums. If time allows, the Tomb of Ebul Hasan Harakani near Sarıkamış is another stop that's easy to add to your route.

Best Time to Visit: Snow or Green Meadows?

The Doğu Ekspresi is known as the "snow train" because its most popular season runs from December to March. During these months, temperatures in Kars and Sarıkamış often drop below minus 20 degrees, but the snow-covered scenery and frozen Çıldır Lake are well worth the cold. A heavy coat, thermal clothing and waterproof boots are essential during this period. If you prefer milder weather and green plateaus, May to September is a lovely alternative. The days are long, conditions are ideal for nature walks and picnics on the shores of Çıldır Lake, and your chances of getting a ticket are somewhat better in summer. Whichever season you choose, early booking is important, given the heavy demand in the winter season.

Local Cuisine and Where to Eat

The cuisines of Kars and Erzurum are known for hearty dishes suited to the cold climate, mostly based on animal products. When you visit Kars, be sure to try kaşar cheese; the region's high-altitude pastures give it a unique flavor. Goose meat is a traditional feast dish, served with rice, especially in winter. Erzurum's world-famous cağ kebab, cooked on a horizontal spit and served in thin slices, should be at the top of your list. Erzurum's signature pastry cimcik and kadayıf dolması, filled with walnuts and soaked in syrup, are must-tries for anyone with a sweet tooth. Local Kars honey is a staple of the breakfast table, enjoyed alongside kaşar cheese as a natural sweetener. In winter, a hot soup and etli ekmek combo is perfect for warming up after the train ride. Village breakfast spots in central Kars and the traditional kebab houses around Erzurum's Cumhuriyet Avenue are among the most popular places to try local flavors.

Best Photo Spots

For photography lovers, the Doğu Ekspresi route is practically an open-air studio. Shots taken from the train windows, especially between Erzurum and Sarıkamış at sunrise, are among the most-liked photos on social media. Photos from horse-drawn sleigh rides across frozen Çıldır Lake have become a symbol of the region, and the sunset light reflecting off the lake creates especially striking images. The summit of Kars Castle offers a bird's-eye view of the city and great shots both during the day and at dusk. The trails winding through snow-covered trees in the Scots pine forests of Sarıkamış are also ideal for nature photography. Morning shots taken when the mist settles capture a magical atmosphere.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Over the centuries, Kars and Erzurum have been home to many civilizations, and the region bears traces of the Seljuk, Ottoman and Russian eras side by side. The Russian-influenced stone buildings in Kars date from the late 19th century, when the region was under Russian rule. Strolling through the city center, you may feel as if you're somewhere else entirely. The Ani Archaeological Site, known as the "city of a thousand and one churches," was once the capital of the Bagratid Armenian Kingdom and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Erzurum's Çifte Minareli Medrese and Erzurum Castle are among the most important surviving works of the Seljuk period. Erzurum also holds a special place in Turkish history as the host of the 1919 Erzurum Congress, convened by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Doğu Ekspresi itself opens a modern window onto this historic landscape, as its route runs parallel to important trade routes used throughout history.

Practical Tips: Preparing for the Journey

There are a few things to keep in mind before you set off. First, follow ticket sales through TCDD's official channels and book as soon as tickets go on sale, since in the winter season they can sell out within minutes. For the long hours in your compartment, bring comfortable clothes and your own entertainment, such as books or music. Pack a charging cable and power banks too, as access to power outlets in the compartments can be limited. Winter temperatures in and around Kars can drop very low, so a heavy coat, beanie, gloves and thermal underwear are a must in your suitcase. The dining car serves hot tea and simple meals, but bringing your own snacks is a good idea. ATMs are easy to find in central Kars, but it's useful to carry cash in smaller towns. Once you arrive in Kars, traveling with a team that knows the route is a better choice than organizing visits to Çıldır Lake, the Ani Archaeological Site and Sarıkamış on your own. It saves time and helps you better understand the region's story. With the Kars Erzurum Tour organized by Sümela Turizm, you can explore the cities along the train route on a comfortable itinerary. With the Kars Çıldır Tour, you can experience the unique scenery of the frozen lake safely and in a well-planned way.