Looking out a train window isn't just a view; it's like opening onto a completely different time. Travel isn't just between two destinations; it's also a transition between the past and the future. In Türkiye, train travel remains a romantic, nostalgic, and yet practical choice.
Why Train?
In the modern world, transportation has become synonymous with speed. Planes, highways, expressways—everything is about getting further in less time. But there are some journeys that are more meaningful not because of their duration, but because of their content. Train travel is exactly that.
Time slows down on a train as it glides along the rails. You read books, drink tea, and admire the scenery. Conversations begin, sometimes having the most intimate conversation of your life with a complete stranger. Sometimes, at the end of the journey, you remember not where you went, but how you got there.
Train Stations: Silent Witnesses
Every train journey has a starting and ending point, but stations are the real heroes of these stories. Railway stations They're not just stops; they're a place of reunions, farewells, tears, and smiles. Leaning against the stone walls of an old station building, you feel the footprints of hundreds of thousands of people who have passed by.
Many small Anatolian cities still have old stations standing. Some have been restored, others have been left as is. But each one tells the story of an era. Stations like Haydarpaşa, Sirkeci, Kars, and Eskişehir, in particular, are not only transportation hubs but also sites of cultural memory.
Mainline Trains: Zamunderstand Journey
It is generally the favorite of those who have made train travel a habit. mainline trains It happens. You set off at night and wake up in a different city at dawn. Thanks to sleeper or couchette cars, you can travel in hotel comfort and spend the day exploring. Lines like the Eastern Express, Güney Kurtalan, and İzmir Mavi, in particular, are not just transportation; they're now an experience route.
Mainline trains appeal to students, travelers, photographers, those seeking privacy, or those simply enjoying the scenery. These trains stop and go, passing through villages and gliding through mountains. You want to capture every moment in a single frame. The warmth aboard a train, especially in winter, as it travels through a pristine white landscape, is indescribable.
Regional Trains: Part of Daily Life
Trains may be nostalgic for those living in big cities, but in many parts of Anatolia regional trains It's become a natural part of daily life. People who want to go to work early in the morning, old people going to the market in the neighboring district, elderly people going to the hospital for a checkup... Everyone comes together on these trains.
Journeys on these trains are short but intensely heartwarming. People who don't know each other start chatting within a few stops. Even the fields, villages, and cemeteries along the way are familiar. On some lines, even the train driver greets those looking out the window.
On the train ZamIt Flows Differently
It might seem unnecessary to travel a distance in seven hours by train that would take an hour by plane. But sometimes that seven-hour journey is the only way to rest your soul. The conversations around you, the mountain silhouettes reflected in the windows, the steady sound of the train tracks... Zamthe moment suddenly slows down.
Some write on the train, others listen to music. Some simply look outside. In places without cell phone reception, you don't have to connect. The train draws you into the present. Between past thoughts and future plans, only the moment exists.
The Rise of Train Travel
In recent years, train travel has become a trend. The concept of "slow travel" is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. Those seeking an escape from the fast-paced pace of life are turning to the simplicity and naturalness of train travel. Vlogs shared on social media and videos like "24 Hours on the Train" on YouTube have further highlighted this culture.
Its environmental friendliness is another reason for choosing it. With significantly lower carbon emissions compared to road transport, trains are an ideal mode of transportation for environmentally conscious travelers. This makes train travel not only a personal choice but also a societal one.
Laying Rails to the Future
Railway investments have accelerated in Türkiye in recent years. High-Speed Train projects have significantly shortened distances between major cities. However, the growing interest in conventional lines, mainline lines, and regional trains demonstrates that rail is more than just speed.
This culture is blossoming again as TCDD (Turkish State Railways) conducts new projects for new lines, local governments revitalize station areas, and passenger numbers increase. In some places, train lines no longer just provide transportation but also provide a tourist attraction.
Not an End, But a Beginning
Train journeys have never been just a mode of transportation. Every station is a beginning, every stop a story, every carriage a stage. Perhaps a child encounters a train for the first time, or perhaps an elderly couple returns to their home village after years away. Everyone has their own unique journey on the rails.
So, when you're planning your next trip, consider not just your destination but also how you'll get there. Maybe this time, you'll hop on a train and try slowing down a bit, relaxing a bit, and paying closer attention to your surroundings. Perhaps then, the journey will be more valuable than the destination.
