Transasia Express is not running since 2019 due to Covid. Please send us an e-mail to get in to our contact list so we can update you whenever the journey re-starts.
Have you ever had Iran and Turkey on your travel bucket list? If yes, we offer you to join the Transasia Express which will take you from Ankara to Tehran and give you an opportunity to meet new friends, experience new cultures and get amazed by the surroundings of mother nature. Ankara Tehran train is something you should not miss.
More than 2000 kilometers with the Transasia Express will enrich you with treasured memories. The Transasia Express route which runs from the capital of Turkey – Ankara to Tehran, the capital of Iran, departs from Ankara at 14:25 every Wednesday and arrives in Tehran at 23:20 on Friday. Ankara – Tehran 57-hours train journey is the first step for you to experience two cultures and figure out their similarities and differences yourself.
When you hear the name “Transasia Express”, you probably think of only one train that will take you directly to a different country. However, in fact, it is much more interesting as you will have a ride in two trains and one ferry during your astounding journey. So, the Transasia Express is a combination of two trains from Turkish and Iran railways and one ferry journey on the Van lake (Turkey) to help you create a fully remarkable experience.
In detail, the Transasia Express route has couple of stops. As was mentioned before, your amazing journey starts in Ankara (Turkey) where you will take the train to Tatvan. Your next destination is Van that you will reach by a ferry regulated by TCDD (Turkish State Railways). At last, in Van, you will take an RAI train (Islamic Republic of Iran Railways) to your final destination Tehran.
Both trains, from Ankara to Tatvan and from Van to Tehran, consist of 4 people capacity in each compartment and provide you with full comfort and high service. Such compartments are quite similar to those in Europe that is why they are considered to be the best choice for all travelers. The welcoming staff both on the trains and the ferry are always on hand for you. Furthermore, this long train journey gives you a chance not only to admire the natural beauty but also to explore the remote villages and towns of both Iran and Turkey.
Turkey and Iran have always been in peaceful relationships and have always shared a lot of cultural aspects. Are you curious about which exactly? You can find the answers to your questions after joining the Transasia Express. An unforgettable journey is guaranteed if you are with the Transasia Express!
Wednesday – 14:25
Ankara Railway Station (Google Map)
Friday – 23:20
Tehran Railway Station (Google Map)
Joining this trip, you will become one step closer to a great adventure around Turkey and Iran, you will meet new friends, curious travelers and experienced backpackers from all over the world. They all will use the Transasia Express route to broaden their minds and get new vivid emotions.
We offer you to soak in an amazing atmosphere of genuine Asia and the Middle East. During your long way train trip, you will be lucky to observe East Anatolia landscapes. Also, you will see the Kızılırmak river which is the longest in Turkey. It will impress you with its fascinating reddish color. You will also pass the 2 km long Firat bridge which was built on Keban Dam – the fourth largest lake in Turkey.
Continuing your journey, you will take a 3,5 hours ferry on the Van lake which will take you from Tatvan to Van. The Van lake is famous for a small island called Akdamar where an ancient Armenian church is located. And you are likely to see this picturesque view in case the weather permits. Later, while your second train trip from Van you will see Urmia Salt Lake which is pretty close to one of the biggest cities of Iran – Tabriz.
The Transasia express route consists of two train trips and the ferry journey and all of them are included in the price. When the train approaches the border of Iran, everyone will be asked to leave the train at the Turkish border station. The passports of all passengers will be stamped, and the luggage will be checked. After quick stamping you can continue sleeping in your compartment.
Friday at around 23:00 you will be getting off at the train station in Tehran and will be waving goodbye to your compartment friends. By that time, you will already have exchanged phone numbers and Facebook/ Instagram accounts and can visit your new friends on your further trip to Iran.
Be sure that the Transasia Express is an amazing experience that will bring you new memories you will be eager to share with the ones you love.
The Transasia Express is one of a kind in Turkey and Iran, as it combines two trains and one ferry. The total distance you will pass within this journey is 2394 kilometers or 1487 miles. It is quite a lot, and imagining how many new memories and emotions you will experience, you will realize that time flies for you.
It is worth mentioning that you will be traveling by two comfortable fully equipped trains as well as by a brand new ferry. The Turkish train from Ankara to Van is TVS2000 air-conditioned with 4-berth couchettes in each compartment. All necessary bedding including sheets, pillows, blankets, etc., is provided on the train. Then, the Van-Tabriz-Tehran train is a highly comfortable Iranian sleeper train with 4-berth compartments that are converted from armchairs to sleeping-berths.
All bedding is provided by the staff as well. You will share your compartment with other passengers which brings you an amazing opportunity to meet locals and other tourists. In case you would like to have some privacy for the whole your journey, you can book the whole compartment for 4 people, and all the seats in the compartment will be taken by you and you will not get seperated with your party members at the night time.
Moreover, both trains have dining cars where meals and drinks are served to passengers. There is a dining car on the Iranian train where you can have both cultural and international cuisine. On the Turkish train, you can pay in Euro or Turkish Lira, but in the Iranian train only Iranian Rials are accepted. On both trains, you can order dishes from Turkish European cuisines. In the latter train, you can sometimes even get your food directly to your compartment. Furthermore, Iranian cuisine is much cheaper and extremely delicious. Additionally, you are allowed to bring own food and drinks on the train. It is very convenient in case you are a vegan, a vegetarian or have some dietary restrictions. Anyway, under any circumstances, you will not get starving during your journey with the Transasia Express.
We would recommend you download a detailed map of Turkey and Iran before your trip as you will pass by alluring mountains and unspoiled landscapes that you might want to visit some other time. Also, you might be willing to have mobile data as there is no WIFI on the trains and the ferry.
There is gender segregation at the sleeping time in Transasia Express. You can avoid it by booking for 4 people and you can have a private compartment for yourself.
Transasia Express train leaves from Ankara every Wednesday at 14:25. You should manage your time and be a bit earlier on the Ankara Railway Station in order to catch your train and start your journey with the Transasia Express. The train is extremely comfortable and one compartment is perfectly suitable for 4 people. The daytime seats can be transformed into beds at night time. Moreover, sheets, pillows, and blankets are provided by the staff to make your sleep restful. The trains have clean shared toilets at the end of the wagon.
After departing from Ankara the Transasia Express train passes Kayseri, Sivas, Malatya, Elazığ, and Muş. During your travel, you will see picturesque views of Turkish villages and towns as well as wake up with the breathtaking view of Keban Dam while passing the Firat Railway Bridge. The train arrives in Tatvan Ferry Port at 14:26 on Thursday.
After a restful night sleep on the train and after 24 hours after departing from Ankara it is high time to find your seat on the ferry. The brand-new Van Ferry is the biggest ferry of Turkey, and it will take you from Tatvan to Van. The journey is 3,5 hours long. There are some cafeterias where you can have a cup of tea or coffee and some snacks while enjoying the amazing view of Van Lake. Please, remember that the ferry might be your last spot for changing Turkish Liras, Euros or US dollars to Iranian Rials if you haven’t done it before.
The exchange rate might be a bit lower, so we would strongly advise you to exchange money in Ankara before getting into the train. After leaving the ferry in the Van Port, the Iranian train is either waiting for you or is about to arrive at the port to pick you up.
The Iranian train is alike the Turkish train. There are 4-berths compartments and toilets at the end of the wagons. Also, there is a dining car on the train where you can have some traditional or international meals. You can find the Iranian and Turkish cuisines pretty similar to each other. After approximately a 2-hour train ride, at 23:19, the train reaches the Iranian border. It is time for the passport and visa controls. After that, you can come back to your compartment and get some rest and sleep before a new dawn.
At the night time, the train passes a few cities which are Razi, Salmas, and Tabriz. Near Tabriz, there is a lake called Urmia. Urmia Lake is a wonderful salt lake and at the same time is considered to be the biggest lake in Iran. On Friday at 23:20, the train arrives at the Tehran Railway Station. Therefore, your total journey is roughly 57 hours – 57 hours of vivid emotions, unforgettable memories, and new friends.
