Getty ImagesRunning 1,051km from Ankara to Diyarbakır, it passes through stark, mountainous landscapes and some of the country’s most important historical sites.
Train travel is having a moment. From the Tren Maya in Mexico to the European Sleeper connecting Brussels and Prague, a host of new train lines are transporting travellers around the world. And many train companies are even expanding their luxury rail experiences, such as the Orient Express’ new La Dolce Vida train that tours Italy in glamourous mid-century style.
According to Yesh Munnangi, CEO of global travel planning site Rome2Rio, train travel is experiencing a surge in demand. “Rome2Rio’s train search data reveals a staggering 170% increase since 2019 pre-Covid volumes,” Munnangi tells the BBC.
The latest example of this trend is Turkey’s new Mesopotamia Express, which opened in April 2024. Building on the popularity of the country’s
