The Doğu Express between Kayseri and Ankara, 2009

The Doğu (East) Express is one of Turkey's classic long-distance trains. It used to run the length of the country from Istanbul to Kars, near the Armenian border. Since the introduction of the high-speed train from Istanbul to the capital, the Doğu Ekspres starts in Ankara.

In recent years the Doğu Ekspres has become a tourist attraction, particularly popular with local tourists. The Turkish Railways have set up a special tourist train, the turistik Doğu Ekspres, which, much like a cruise ship, stops for several hours at tourist highlights to give passengers a chance to see the sights.

The classic express shown in the photos, still runs, but unfortunately with much less comfort (no sleeping compartments, for example) than before.