Trains
Trains in Turkey
TCDD Taşımacılık · The English booking site normally accepts non-Turkish credit cards, but some travellers report their foreign card failing, and a newer bilet.tcdd.gov.tr system exists. Iranian cards will not work. The Turkish-language main site may need a Turkish IP address.
Checked 3 November 2026Official sources
What we could not confirm
- Whether TCDD still accepts non-Turkish cards in late 2026; forum posts report some failures.
- The newer bilet.tcdd.gov.tr system and how it differs from the English e-ticket site.
- 2026 fares: the figures shown are 2025 prices.
- Whether the Tehran–Van train is running in November 2026 after the 2026 conflict; the Tehran–Ankara through train has not resumed since the pandemic.
- No TCDD reseller or affiliate programme was found.
How to buy
- 1Open ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr in English and pick your route and date. Some trains open for sale 60 days ahead.
- 2Pay with a non-Iranian Visa or Mastercard. If it fails, ask a friend abroad or an agency such as Amber Travel to book for you.
- 3Keep the e-ticket on your phone; you do not need to print it.
- 4A return ticket is about 20% cheaper than two single tickets.
- 5Inside Istanbul, the Marmaray from Sirkeci to Halkalı runs about every 15 minutes, takes 49 minutes and costs under one pound.
If you cannot pay yourself
Agencies such as Amber Travel book Turkish trains for other people. From Iran, the Tehran–Van train is sold in rial by Raja, Safarmarket and Flytoday; it can also be booked through TCDD's international ticket tab, transasiatrain.com or Amber Travel (about €24.90 in a 4-berth couchette). Check it is running before you plan around it.
Routes worth knowing
- about 4.25 h
Istanbul–Ankara (YHT high-speed)
About 780 TL economy / 1,170 TL business (2025 prices; 2026 is probably higher).
- about 4.67 h
Istanbul–Konya (YHT)
About 1,140 TL economy / 1,710 TL business (2025).
- about 1.7 h
Ankara–Konya (YHT)
About 360 TL economy / 540 TL business (2025).
- about 12.5 h
Ankara–İzmir
No direct YHT: YHT to Eskişehir then the Ege Express (about 12h30), or the overnight sleeper at 765 TL pullman / 1,570 TL two-bed / 2,080 TL single (2025).
- about 23 h
Tehran–Van (international, from Iran)
Twice a week: Tehran 12:35 on Wednesday and Sunday, Van 11:00 next day; about €24.90 in a 4-berth couchette, or 1,850,000 toman one way in 1403. Its late-2026 status is unconfirmed.