I am looking to take the train from Damascus to Tehran next year (via Turkey). I have looked on http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcdding/ortadogu_ing.htm which provides a list of places where the train stops on the way. Does anyone know whether you can actually stop/get off at any of these places for a day or two to have a look around and then get back on? Can you purchase a ticket from Damascus to Tehran or would you have to purchase each sector seperately? Are any of these places worth stopping to look at?
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Heather
ozzykiwichick
1
marcopoloo
You can purchase a ticket from Damascus to Tehran.The cost of a ticket (around usd 80)is so cheap i guess if you happen to get off at any stop you an alwasys buy another ticket to continue the journey on the next train!!!!
2
neckervd
You may have seen that trains are daily only between Damascus and Aleppo as well as between Tabriz and Tehran. There is 1 train per week between Aleppo and Malatya, 2 between Malatya and Van, 3 between Van and Tabriz.
If you are looking for an attractive route with many stop overs, you better cross Turkey by bus.
3
martinpark
I would tend to agree with the above.The train trip would restrict you . In 2007 we took the o/night sleeper train Aleppo to Qamishli then crossed into Turkey and on to Mardin. then you could make your way to Van and cross into Iran to Orumyeh on the daily bus . I did this in 2002 and it is a quieter and more scenic way to enter the Islamic Rep.
I would not rush through the SE of turkey. in many ways you see a more authentic side of the country there even though the travellers facilities are fewer. The area around Van is quite beautiful. If the season allows try to get up to Nemrut Dagi ( not the well known one ) from Tatvan.
Enjoy your travels these places keep drawing me back
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