Istanbul to Damascus by train?

Hello All,

I have read that there is a train that runs from Istanbul to Aleppo, and trains that run from Aleppo to Damascus.However, I have also heard that the Istanbul-Aleppo line wasn't/isn't running. Is this true? I am trying to figure out travel plans for getting in to Syria this coming spring, and I was wondering if this is a realistic way to reach my destination? I am an American, so flying to Damascus is both a pain (no direct flights) and from what I can tell would be far more costly than going through Turkey.

Also, the amount of tuition required seems to change with every source I have checked: Can anyone tell me how much I should expect for tuition? I am looking to study Arabic at Damascus University or The Arabic Teaching Institute for Foreigners.

Shukran!

Edited by: paquettems

It's not only realistic, but a great way to travel to Syria if you like train travel! :-)

[http://www.seat61.com/Syria.htm]

The train (the Toros Express) is not running at the moment, but the service may resume by next spring!

In case it's still not running by the time you get there, don't despair! You can still get to Damascus mostly by train and a little "cheating".

Take a domestic train from Istanbul to Adana, continue by local train to Iskenderun, continue by bus(this is the "cheating") to Aleppo via Antakya and take a domestic train from Aleppo to Damascus.

Try to take a train that passes the Cilician Gates by daylight!

You'll be mostly following the line of the historically famous Baghdad Railway

N.B. The Turkish Railways online timetable works only with Internet Explorer!

[www.tcdd.gov.tr]

Post 1 detailed the journey is accurate, doable and fun too.
enjoy Syria

I am doing this trip in a week. To be precise it has to be said that the Toros Express is actually running, but only until Gaziantep in Turkey and not across the border. In order to "cheat", travelling through Antakya seems to be more convenient than through Gaziantep.

I will be travelling from Istanbul Haydarpasa to Ankara during the day on the new High Speed line and in the evening from Ankara with Cukurova Mavi train to Adana (All trains are online bookable). You can also take the Icanadolu Mavi straight from Istanbul to Adana, however if you take the route through Ankara you will reach Adana in the morning (8am) and from there you can take buses through Antakya straight to the border and probably reach Aleppo in the afternoon. I will stop in Antakya for another night and leave very early in the morning for the Syrian border. From Aleppo there several daily trains to Damascus. Timings are on the web, but you should probably check that in Aleppo.

I believe that there is also an overnight train from Adana to Aleppo, running 2 times per week. That's how I plan to get there!

Thanks for the information Martin! You should send a short e-mail to the Man in seat61 to update the info on his website!

In this case taking to Toros Express until Antep is a good idea, because it passes some great mountain scenery between Adana and Antep!

#4 You can believe in God , but not in trains! Why do you "believe" there's a train between Adana and Aleppo? Either you know it or don't know it! If you know it please share this information with us(also the source), if you don't know don't phantasize!

Sorry about that 5 ... I'll try harder next time .... thanks for the lecture. It must be hard having to put up with us amateur posters.

There is a train that goes from Adana to Aleppo, 2 times a week. Information on maninseat61 site.

Yes there is a twice weekly train from Adana to Aleppo that runs through the Maydanekbez border crossing. You can check timings on seat61.com or on the TCDD railway website. However that train only has pullman seats, no couchettes or sleepers. Also if you need to get a visa on the border I would advise against taking the train.

Martin, why would you advise against taking the Adana to Aleppo train when needing to get a visa on the border?

#8 .... its probably because some people, especially Americans, may have to wait hours for a visa when applying at the border. The train's not going to wait.

Trains aside, the British carrier BMI fly from the US to Aleppo and Damascus via London Heathrow. It will be worth checking out.

Overnighting in Istanbul might also be a pain in the neck (and cost you) once you start figuring out the connections you have to make. You will need to book the sleeper in advance if you want to be sure of a bed and therefore pick up your tickets. If you book online with Turkish railways, you need to do that in Turkish...

Well, BMI is not the only airline linking the U.S. with Syria, with 1 transfer - others include Austrian, Malév ( Hungarian ), Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines, Czech Airlines... ( Austrian, BMI and Royal Jordanian ) also serve Aleppo, by the way. Austrian and BMI are the only ones arriving and leaving at a convenient 'day' time - others do so unpleasantly in late evening or at the middle-of-the -night, which is not very amusing if you get into an unknown country, an have still to reach your hotel !

But the train solution is definitely a pleasant and adventurous way of travelling !