Transasia Express started operating in March 2025, departing from Van every Sunday and Wednesday at 12:30, and departing from Tehran every Monday and Thursday.
Kindly get in touch with us, and we can assist you in booking this route.
Now more and more travelers are keen on traveling by train. You get everything that you expect from such trips – new friends, amazing memories, and great emotions. You also shouldn’t stay behind. Luckily, we can offer you a fascinating train journey on the Transasia Express. Discover Turkey and Iran within one ride, plunge into the Middle East culture, and gain the energy for a year ahead.
The Transasia route is well known for being a unique combination of two train and one ferry rides. Originally it connects two cities, Ankara and Tehran, and has multiple stops. However, you are going to join the train in Van heading to his final way to the Iranian capital so your way will not be as long as others. Yet you will have a chance to watch some picturesque views from your window and have a long chat with your compartment fellows. Van – Tehran train departs every Thursday at 21:52 and arrives in Tehran on Friday at 23:20. On its way, the train stops in Kapıköy for passport control and some other cities as Salmas and Tabriz.
Van city is a pearl of eastern Turkey. Being located on the coast of the lake, it is famous for one of a kind landscapes and nature. It is a great beginning of any journey. On the other hand, Tehran is the best destination for those who are seeking a genuine life. Here you will spend time among old markets, buzzing streets, and beautiful mosques. Get ready for a new adventure on board. To learn about train fares, timetable and train comfortability, please keep reading.
Monday Train Arrives Tuesday at 18:20
Thursday Train Arrives Friday at 23:20
Tehran Railway Station (Google Map)
Any train trip in Europe and the Transasia Express has a lot of in common like high service, comfortable trains, outstanding landscapes. Nevertheless, traveling in Turkey and Iran bring more joy and cultural diversity than any other trip. Whereas Van – Tehran is a part of the longest available train routes within the whole Iran and Turkey, it also allows carrying from 300 to 500 passengers. This is not a fancy train where you will feel out of place but rather you are going to experience a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
The train operated by the Iranian railways departs every Thursday at 21:52 and arrives in Tehran on Friday at 23:20. However, if Thursday doesn’t match your plans, there is another train that goes to Tehran from Van, and we will mention it in the section of timetables. In a couple of hours after departing, the train stops in Kapıköy so all the passengers pass control and get a stamp in their passports. Therefore, the Transasia train offers a comfortable and convenient ride on board. There are 4-berth compartments where the seats are easily converted to the beds. You shouldn’t worry about the bedding as you will be provided with everything to ensure that you are satisfied in these terms. Moreover, there is a dining car, and you can spoil yourself with traditional Persian dishes. Bear in mind, that you can pay only in Iranian currency on this train.
Van – Tehran train journey does not compete for the title of the best trip in your life but it will definitely get in the top 5. The perfect trip is available for you all year round. If there is an opportunity to experience sparkling moments and recharge yourself with new energy, why not go for it?
Feel at ease and focus on relaxation with the Transasia Express. You are going to travel within a long way to discover the Middle East and its culture. In Van, a comfortable air-conditioned train will be waiting to greet you on board. Here you will be traveling with 3 other passengers in a 4-place compartment. If you would like to have more space, you will have to reserve a whole compartment for you.
Before entering the train, you should exchange and have some rials. Whereas on board you can pay for meals and drinks only in rials, you will not be able to use your cards in Iran. So, please be ready for this. In addition, you are allowed to bring your own food. In case you keep to a diet or have some unusual preferences, you can get some food for yourself prior. Unfortunately, the Transasia Express does not offer WIFI so you are advised to have own mobile data. You will also need it in Iran as there might be difficulties to find WIFI spots. You can also download offline maps to follow all your way on the train. Maybe you will catch some beautiful places and would like to bookmark them for a future vacation.
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.
The Van – Tehran train which belongs to the famous Transasia Express route offers you to watch a beautiful sunrise over picturesque landscapes, to try a delicious Persian breakfast, and to simply have a sincere conversation with other travelers. The train departs from Van every Thursday at 21:52 and makes a stop in Kapıköy at 23:19. Here the passport control takes place and takes a few hours. In the early morning, the train stops in Salmas and Tabriz. You will also pass the largest salt lake called Urmia. On Friday, at 23:20, the train arrives in Tehran.
We have also mentioned another train with the same route Van – Tehran. The Van – Tehran train departs from Van every Monday at 21:00 and arrives in Tehran on Tuesday at 18:20. This is a similar train fully equipped for long distances. You will travel in the 4-couchette compartments where the seats are transformed into beds. There is also a dining car and everything that you need for a restful trip.
