ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE COLLECTION OF REQUESTS FOR TRAVEL AGENCIES FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON OF THE TOURISTIC EASTERN EXPRESS

Dear Members,

According to the correspondence received from the Republic of Türkiye State Railways (TCDD) to our Association:

The preliminary request collection process has begun for the Touristic Eastern Express, which is set to commence its operations in the 2025-2026 season. The rules that travel agencies must follow when organizing tours during this season, along with the wagon allocation requirements, are outlined in the attached document.

Travel Dates and Days
Ankara–Kars Direction:

* Travel Dates: December 22, 2025 – February 28, 2026
* Days of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
* Departure Time:13:55

Kars–Ankara Direction:

* Travel Dates: December 24, 2025 – March 1, 2026
* Days of Operation: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
* Departure Time: 21:05

A total of 60 trips will be operated during the season, with 30 trips in each direction.

Touristic Stopovers
Ankara–Kars Direction:

* Stops for sightseeing will be provided at Erzincan and Erzurum stations.

Kars–Ankara Direction:

* Stops for sightseeing are planned at İliç, Divriği, and Sivas stations.

Train Features:

* 8 Sleeper Wagons + 1 Dining Wagon
* Each sleeper wagon includes 10 compartments; each compartment has 2 single beds
* Passenger Capacity: 160 people

Pricing Information (Including VAT, Per Wagon):
Ankara–Kars:
* Low Season: 140,000 TL
* High Season: 170,000 TL

Kars–Ankara:
* Low Season: 120,000 TL
* High Season: 150,000 TL

Application Timeline:

The application requirements are stated in the specification document. Travel agencies that accept these conditions must prepare the following documents, signed and stamped, and send them to turistik@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr

1. Wagon Allocation Application Form
2. Specification Document
3. Signature Circular

Applications will be accepted starting from the publication date of this announcement. Preliminary allocations will be made based on applications received by August 3, 2025. Applications submitted after this date will be considered depending on availability.

After the announcement of preliminary allocation results, agencies must pay 20% of the total wagon allocation fee as a down payment by August 24, 2025. Agencies that fail to make this payment within the specified time will have their allocations canceled, and the canceled quotas will be reassigned to other agencies that applied during the process.

Click here for the announcement:
https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/tr/duyuru/detay/422

Click here for the specification document:
https://adminapi.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/files/public/04ea88f3-0c49-4b53-8400-aa1e87f2c67b-2025-2026%20Sezonu%20Turistik%20Do%C4%9Fu%20Ekspresi%20%C5%9Eartname.pdf

Click here for the Wagon Allocation Application Form:
https://adminapi.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/files/public/a08e99c4-9964-4fee-9d48-67ed7285741d-Vagon%20Tahsis%20Basvuru%20Formu.docx

Respectfully submitted for your information.

Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TÜRSAB