TCDD or Turkish State Railways
The beautiful country of Turkey is perfect for long rail journeys, as it offers truly incredible views and the Turkish bullet trains nowadays are in no way inferior to their Western European siblings. Taking a high-speed train means fast travel times, a wide choice of daily departures, and great onboard amenities, such as complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets in the first class of Turkish bullet trains. But high-speed railway is not the only train service available for travelers. Other options include mainline trains (running between the major cities of the country), international trains (connecting Turkey with other European countries), regional trains (servicing only their respective districts), and commuter trains (servicing only the cities of Ankara and Istanbul at the moment). Almost all train services in the country are operated by the State Railway of the Republic of Turkey, often abbreviated as TCDD for convenience.
Overall length of Turkey railways: 12,532 km
Main types of Turkish trains: high-speed, mainline & international
Number of Turkish routes sold on Rail Ninja: 6+
Fastest train of Turkey high-speed rail: 320 km/h
Popular Turkish Trains
High-speed YHT Trains by TCDD
Meet Yuksek Hizli Tren, the fastest trains in Turkey also known as YHT. Operated by TCDD, these trains are exactly what modern bullet trains should be. Fast and safe, they can get you from Istanbul to Ankara in just 3.5 hours, while traveling there by car or bus will take almost 5. But fast travel times are not the only advantage to consider. The YHT bullet trains were designed with a traveler's comfort in mind, so you can rest assured that they provide all you might possibly need for a worry-free ride, including adjustable seats, complimentary Wi-Fi, and even power sockets.
F.A.Q.
What to Know About the Turkish Rail
Are there trains in Turkey?
Yes, and Turkey's train system is rather advanced. There are 5 types of trains and 12 532 km (7 787 mi) of rail lines at your service! So if you are wondering what is the best way to get around Turkey - a rail journey is definitely worth considering.
How do I buy a train ticket in Turkey?
You can always choose an old-school way and purchase the tickets at the station before departure, but this way you risk dealing with huge lines at the ticket desks, possible language barrier, and already sold-out tickets. A much better way is booking them online in advance, as it's very easy, takes only a few minutes, and you can get the tickets for up to 2 years before the planned trip if you book them with Rail Ninja!
