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Türkiye’s new Mesopotamia Express trains to begin service in April (Photo credit: Getty Images)
It runs 1,051km from Ankara to Diyarbakir, passing through rugged mountainous terrain and some of the country’s most important historical sites.
Train travel is hot right now. From Mexico’s Tren Maya to the Europa Sleeper connecting Brussels and Prague, a multitude of new train routes are taking travelers around the world. And many rail companies are expanding their luxury rail experiences, including Orient Express’s new “La Dolce Vida” train, which travels through Italy in glamorous midcentury style.
Demand for rail travel has surged, according to Yeshu Mnangi, CEO of global trip-planning site Rome2Rio. “Rome2Rio’s rail search data revealed a staggering 170% increase compared to pre-COVID volumes in 2019,” Mnangi told the BBC.
The latest example of this trend is Turkey’s new Mesopotamia Express, opening in April 2024. Following the popularity of Turkey’s Eastern Express train, which launched in 2019, the new line will take visitors on an epic journey through Turkey’s Central Anatolia region, rich in history and culture. Running 1,051km from the capital Ankara to the millennia-old city of Diyarbakir, the line will pass through rugged mountainous terrain and some of Turkey’s most significant historical sites.
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The city of Kayseri is located at the foot of Mount Erciyes (Photo: Getty Images)
Officials said the launch of the Mesopotamia Express is part of a larger nationwide effort to encourage tourists to explore beyond popular destinations such as Istanbul and Antalya, recently named two of the world’s most visited cities.
“Turkey is looking to expand tourism to its 81 provinces and has made a number of efforts toward this goal,” said Jeffrey Weil, president of Weil Associates, which represents the Turkish Tourism Development Agency (TGA). “One of these efforts is improving the country’s extensive, low-impact rail network through investment and high-speed rail.”
The Mesopotamia Express can accommodate up to 180 passengers and has a dining car serving traditional, locally sourced Anatolian dishes such as Kelekos, a deep-fried meat dish on flatbread. The entire journey takes 24 hours, with stops at each destination for around 3-4 hours to explore the local sights and culture.
This is no ordinary train journey, but a journey through time traversing Turkey’s stunning landscapes and discovering the country’s hidden cultural gems.
“[The Mesopotamia Express] “The train will offer tourists a comprehensive and immersive experience that highlights the region’s rich cultural heritage, historical significance and natural beauty,” Weil said. “This is no ordinary train journey, but a timeless journey across the stunning Turkish landscape and discovering the country’s hidden cultural gems.”
After departing Ankara, the train’s first stop is the city of Kayseri, considered the gateway to the Cappadocia region, known for its labyrinthine bazaars, ancient Turkish architecture and the spectacular Mount Erciyes, a dormant volcano popular with climbers and skiers.
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Apricots are a steady export from the region (Photo: Getty Images)
The train then continues to Malatya, one of the largest cities in the Anatolian region, which has been a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between East and West for nearly 7,000 years. Tourists traveling on the train in summer can disembark here to take part in the annual Apricot Festival, which celebrates the region’s most famous export: apricots. The festival runs from July 20 to 22.
The train’s next stop is Elazig, built in the shadow of the ancient city of Harupt. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Harupt Castle to the 1866 Izzet Pasha Mosque, it’s the perfect place to explore Turkey’s extensive history.
Your final stop is the walled city of Diyarbakir. Built by the Romans in 297 AD, the Diyarbakir Citadel is one of Turkey’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with the nearby Hevsel Gardens.
The Mesopotamia Express is not the only new train to begin operating in Turkey. Another tourist train, the Vangool Express, which runs between Ankara and Tatvan, also recently began operating. Both can be booked through Turkish State Railways.
