Türkiye by Train and Plane: Slow Meets Fast Travel

Why choose between speed and scenery when you can have both? Türkiye’s railways offer unforgettable, cinematic journeys, while Pegasus Airlines gives you swift, budget-friendly access to every corner of the country. Whether you’re watching the sun rise over snow-covered steppes or soaring over the Aegean coast, blending train and plane lets you see Türkiye from every angle—and feel it, too.

Smooth Connections: The Dos and Don’ts of Travel by Train and Plane in Türkiye

Traveling Türkiye by train and plane can be seamless—as long as you know what to expect. Pegasus Airlines offers low-cost, frequent flights between cities like Ankara, Izmir, Trabzon, and Van, often from secondary airports like Sabiha Gökçen, which feels more relaxed and efficient than the main Istanbul hub. Grab a simit or börek at Pegasus Cafe before your flight, check your baggage allowance page, and consider an upgrade package if you want a bit more comfort on board. Wondering how to find cheap flights? Pegasus makes it easy.

On the ground, Türkiye’s rail system invites you to slow down. Buy your train tickets in advance, show up early, and bring snacks (or chat with locals in the café car). Some trains move fast; others are meant for lingering. It’s all part of the ride.

Through Time and Snow: The Doğu Express from Ankara to Kars

This is Türkiye’s most iconic train journey, and it begins in Ankara. As the Doğu Express glides eastward, you’ll pass sleepy Anatolian towns, frostbitten valleys, and rugged riverscapes. By morning, you’re drifting past the ruins of Ani, a forgotten medieval city blanketed in snow. The windows frame scenes that feel older than time.

End your ride in Kars, where pastel buildings line the streets and thick-cut goose meat is a local specialty. Wander through the city, then consider a quick return via a cheap flights to Kars or a cheap flights to Ankara to wrap up the loop.

The Fast Lane with a View: Istanbul to Ankara by High-Speed Rail

Want to experience train travel without losing a whole day? The Istanbul–Ankara high-speed rail line gets you there in under five hours, racing through olive groves and shimmering lakes as you sip Turkish tea in your seat. There’s something deeply calming about zipping across the country while still being grounded to the land.

You’ll board in Pendik—just minutes from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It’s a uniquely convenient transfer point, especially if you’re arriving with a cheap flight to Istanbul via Pegasus Airlines. Sabiha Gökcen Airport and the Pendik train station are so close you can almost hear the engines of your next journey from the platform.

Once aboard, you’ll experience Türkiye’s modern high-speed rail system at its best. Sleek, quiet, and impressively efficient, this new generation of trains connects major cities with comfort and speed. Whether you’re headed for the cultural capital or the political heart of the country, it’s a journey that balances pace with perspective.

Arrive in Ankara refreshed and ready to explore modern cafés, leafy parks, and the iconic Anıtkabir. Cheap Flights to Ankara let you end—or begin—your journey however you choose.

Ancient Tracks and Cotton Castles: Selçuk to Denizli by Rail

Step off your cheap flight to Izmir, then travel to Selçuk, where the ruins of Ephesus greet you with open colonnades. From there, continue by rail to Denizli, watching vineyard-covered hills and fig groves drift past your window. When you arrive, climb barefoot through the white travertine pools of Pamukkale as steam curls into the afternoon light.

This is a route for dreamers—for those who want to walk with history and bathe in it too. Ready to move on? Cheap flights to Denizli or Izmir are just a booking away.

Eastbound & Borderbound: The Istanbul–Sofia Express

Begin in Istanbul, where street-side espresso and simit fuel your final evening in Türkiye. Then board the overnight Istanbul–Sofia Express and settle into your compartment. As the city lights fade behind you, the Balkans rise ahead in moonlit mystery.

You’re not just riding a train—you’re tracing the route of the original Orient Express, the storied line that once carried royalty, writers, and wanderers from Paris to Istanbul. Though the modern train is more modest than its opulent predecessor, the romance of the journey lingers. These tracks hold history. As you roll into Edirne and cross into Bulgaria, you can almost hear the echoes of stewards announcing dinner in five languages.

Expect border checks around midnight, a nostalgic throwback to old-world travel. By sunrise, Sofia greets you with golden domes and quiet streets. You’ve crossed not only a border, but an era.

From Sofia, you can always catch a cheap flight to Istanbul if you want to return the quick way—but chances are, you’ll want the slow route again.

The Lake Route: Van Gölü Express to Tatvan

Start with a cheap flight to Ankara, then board the Van Gölü Express. As the train winds toward Tatvan, Lake Van unfurls beside you in shimmering blues and purples. On one side: mountains. On the other: the vast, silent water. Pause on the train steps at golden hour and breathe it all in.

At the end of the line, take the ferry across the lake or wander the quiet villages nearby. Akdamar Island is just a short boat ride away, with an ancient Armenian church standing alone among almond blossoms. When you’re ready to move on, cheap flights to Van await.

Into the Taurus Mountains: Riding the Toros Express

Board the Toros Express from Adana and brace for switchbacks. The train clatters through tunnels and over viaducts, slicing through the Taurus Mountains with cinematic flair. Orange groves turn to pine forests; plains become cliffs. It’s like watching Türkiye transform in real time.

End your journey in Konya and taste the silence of its spiritual center. Etli ekmek waits for you here, and maybe even a dervish performance if you time it right. Cheap flights to Konya and cheap flights to Adana connect you to either end of this unforgettable ride.

Mixing fast and slow travel lets you taste Türkiye in every register. Let the train show you the soul of the landscape, and let the plane carry you to the next chapter. Either way, you’re never just in transit—you’re in Türkiye.