Book Dogu Express Train Tickets Online
DiscoverByRail can book tickets for the Dogu Express, Turkey’s epic night train between Ankara and Kars.
Below you can find an overview of all departure dates and ticket prices for the Dogu Express. To make a booking inquiry for the Dogu Express, please send an email to tickets@discoverbyrail.com.
About the Dogu Express
Officially known as the Doğu Ekspresi (Turkish for Eastern Express), this night train is Turkey’s most captivating rail journey and an absolute bucket-list experience for every intrepid train traveller. Along the way, you can enjoy superb views of the wild Anatolian interior, with its river gorges and mountains, all from the comfort of your own sleeper compartment.
The Dogu Express is a popular train both among Turkish travellers and international tourists, and therefore books up fast. Because of this, TCDD – the Turkish State Railways – has launched a second train between Ankara and Kars called the Turistik Doğu Ekspresi (Touristic Dogu Express).
Both the regular Dogu Express and the Touristic Dogu Express follow the same route, but there are some key differences between the trains. The Touristic Dogu Express has comfortable sleeper coaches with 2-berth compartments and a restaurant wagon, while the regular Dogu Express only has 4-berth couchette carriages runs without a dining car. Another difference is that the Touristic Dogu Express makes two extended stops at interesting destinations along the way, giving travellers the chance to look around for a few hours.
The train that DiscoverByRail can book for you is the Touristic Dogu Express.
Dogu Express departure dates and prices
The prices below are for a 2-bed sleeper compartment on the Touristic Dogu Express, which can be used by one person travelling solo or by two people travelling together. Pricing is in British Pound (GBP), and the quoted prices are for a one-way journey.
22 December 2025: Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
24 December 2025: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
26 December 2025: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
28 December 2025: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP)
29 December 2025: Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
31 December 2025: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
2 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
4 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP)
5 January 2026: Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
7 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
9 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
11 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP)
12 January 2026: Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
14 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (300 GBP)
16 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (265 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
18 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
19 January 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
21 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
23 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
25 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
26 January 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
28 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
30 January 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
1 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
2 February 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
4 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
6 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
8 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
9 February 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
11 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
13 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
15 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
16 February 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
18 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
20 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
22 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
23 February 2026: Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
25 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
27 February 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP), Ankara to Kars (355 GBP)
1 March 2026: Kars to Ankara (320 GBP)
Journey details
The eastbound Dogu Express departs Ankara at 13:55 and arrives in Kars at 22:22 the next day. When travelling in this direction, the train will stop at Erzincan (from 07:25 until 10:25) and Erzurum (from 14:21 until 18:21).
Westbound, the Dogu Express departs Kars at 21:05 and arrives in Ankara at 07:24 two days later. When travelling in this direction, the train will stop in İliç (from 06:40 until 09:40), Divriği (from 10:41 until 13:11), and Sivas (from 16:24 until 20:12).
You are free to leave the train during these stops to explore the towns. Just keep in mind that it is your own responsibility to return in time for departure.
Sleeper compartment on the Dogu Express
Each sleeper compartment on the Dogu Express has two comfortable bunk beds and a washstand. In your compartment you will also find a fridge stocked with a few complimentary drinks and snacks. Toilets on the Dogu Express are shared, with both a western-style toilet and a Turkish-style squat toilet located at the end of each coach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are the quoted prices per person, or per compartment?
The prices mentioned on this website are per 2-bed compartment. The price is therefore the same whether you are booking for two persons, or travelling solo and want to book the compartment for single occupancy.
Can you book the Touristic Dogu Express on travel dates that aren’t mentioned on this page?
We can only book the Dogu Express on the departure dates listed on this page. The Touristic Dogu Express is a seasonal winter train, with its last scheduled departure on the 1st of March 2026.
Can you book the regular Dogu Express as well?
Unfortunately, we can only book the Touristic Dogu Express and cannot provide tickets for the regular Dogu Express night train.
Are drinks and meals included in the fare?
Drinks and meals are not included in the fare of the Touristic Dogu Express, although the minibar in your compartment does include a few complimentary snacks and drinks. It is strongly recommended that you bring your own supply of food and drinks on board. The dining car offers only a limited selection of snacks and beverages.
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