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.
Cappadocia Tehran train route is one of a kind allows you to combine two countries in one trip. During your holiday, if you have both Cappadocia and Iran on your travel list, the Transasia Express is something that you shouldn’t miss. Your journey to another country – Iran – will start in Cappadocia where you will be picked up and transferred to Kayseri Railway Station.
Train journey which starts in Ankara makes a stop in Kayseri to take tourists and locals from the Middle of Turkey. We offer you a transfer from your accommodation in Urgup or Goreme to Kayseri where you will get on the train which will take you to the Persian capital, Tehran. It should be mentioned that a transfer and train tickets, as well as a ferry ticket, are included in the total price. You pay once and get a comfortable transfer, one ferry ride, and two train trips.
This train train journey is a cooperation of Railways of Turkey and Iran which it starts in Ankara and makes stops in other cities on the way. One of them is Kayseri where you can join the train. Transasia Express departs from Kayseri at 21:09 on Wednesday and arrives in Tehran at 23:2o on Friday. The trip consists of a ride from Kayseri to Tatvan by a Turkish train, a ferry voyage from Tatvan to Van, and another travel from Van to Tehran this time by an Iranian train. We guarantee your comfort and cleanliness on both trains and ferry. Moreover, the berths are converted into beds during the night, and all bedding for your restful sleep is included in the price.
The best way to explore any country is definitely with the help of locals and on the Transasia Express, you will have an opportunity to meet a lot of locals as well as other experienced travelers. You will easily get into a conversation with your new friends while drinking a cup of tea and observing the pure beauty of nature in a window. Above all, do not be afraid of the language barrier as hospitality and kindness do no require words and translations.
Wednesday – 19:30
Urgup / Goreme (Google Map)
Friday – 23:20
Tehran Railway Station (Google Map)
Cappadocia Tehran train is a unique experience itself. You will see the picturesque landscapes of Turkey and Iran. You will get acquainted with the two countries and their cultures. You will meet friendly locals, knowledgeable travelers, and spontaneous backpackers. Transasia Express is a perfect choice for all-season trips because the beauty of the countryside remains the same all year round.
We provide you with a transfer from your desired spot in Urgup or Goreme so you could start your trip with the Transasia Express without any worries and troubles. You can book a transfer for your accommodation or another place that is suitable for you, and we will pick you up at 19:30 to take you to Kayseri Railway Station. The Transasia Express departs at 21:09 from Kayseri, so we assure you that you will get on the train in time. The transfers we provide are private, and we use Mercedes Vito vehicles to make your transfer as comfortable and quick as possible.
The Ankara – Tatvan train is cozy and enjoyable. You will spend a night in a 4-people compartment where the seats are converted into beds when you get ready to sleep. The necessary bedding is provided by welcoming staff. At night you will pass the longest river in Turkey named Kızılırmak. You will meet the sunrise with a beautiful view on Keban Dam which is the fourth largest lake in Turkey and pass the Firat bridge that was built on it. Besides, there is a dining car on the train where you can have a nourishing breakfast in the morning or a cup of Turkish tea or coffee. They offer international and Turkish dishes.
On the train, there are 4-people compartments alike on the Turkish train. There are shared bathrooms located at the end of the wagon. Besides, here there is a dining car as well, and you will have an opportunity to try Persian cuisine, but bear in mind that Iranian rials are accepted.
This train journey offers you amazing sceneries and a chance to broaden your traveling mindset. The total journey lasts nearly 50 hours and covers more than 2100 kilometers.
After our driver drops you at Kayseri Railway Station you may wait a bit longer than for a usual departure time of the train, because the Transasia Express may have a delay. If it happens, you will have some extra time to have a cup of Turkish coffee or tea.
Another thing that you should know is that train compartments on both trains are suitable for four people. It means that you will share a compartment with other travelers. Please also note that there is gender segregation at the night time in Transasia train. In case you would like some privacy and avoid the segregation, you will have to reserve and pay for all 4 seats in the compartment. At night seats are transformed into beds, so you could enjoy your sleep. All bedding such as pillows, blankets, sheets, will be provided to you by staff.
Both trains have dining cars where you can try Turkish, Persian and international cuisines. On the Ankara-Tatvan train, you can pay in euros or Turkish liras, but on the Iranian train only Iranian rials are accepted. However, you can also bring own food on the trains. In case you have dietary restrictions or preferences, we would recommend that you buy food for yourself beforehand.
It is important to note that you cannot use your credit or debit cards in Iran. Therefore, you will need cash. The Lake Van ferry accepts both liras and rials, and liras can be exchanged to rials on the ferry board. It is the last option to exchange local currency. However, it would be better if you get Iranian currency before getting on the train.
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.
We provide you with the transfer from your place of staying in Goreme or Urgup to Kayseri Railway Station. Our driver will come to pick you up at 19:30 so you could be ready to join the train. We offer you a transfer by Mercedes Vito vehicles. At around 20:30 our driver drops you at the railway station and at 21:09 the Transasia Express departs from Kayseri.
The train has 4-people compartments and shared lavatories at the end of each wagon. You will board on the train in the evening time and it is time to have a good night sleep. At night time, the train passes Sivas, Malatya, Elazığ, and Muş and on Thursday afternoon you will reach Tatvan. There is a dining car on the train, so do not miss a chance to have a nourishing breakfast to have enough energy during the trip.
After reaching Tatvan it is time to have a ferry journey to cross Van Lake. The ferry trip takes approximately 3,5 hours, and you can chat with other passengers, have a cup of tea or enjoy pure nature. Van Lake is the biggest lake in Turkey and its surroundings are stunning. You can exchange money to Iranian local currency which is rials, but it is unlikely to be a worthy rate for you as it is the last spot to do it. After arriving on another coast, the Van-Tehran train will be waiting for you or be about to come.
The Iranian train is similar to the Turkish one. There are compartments for four people with seats that are converted into beds. Also, you can find clean shared bathrooms at the end of a wagon. In the evening time on Thursday train reaches Kapıköy where passport and luggage controls take place. In the morning you will pass by Urmia salt lake and another city called Tabriz. Finally, on Friday at 23:20, you will arrive in Tehran.
