Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Experience Türkiye's modern 250 km/h YHT high-speed rail network without a single domestic flight or rental car—gliding from Istanbul's Asian side through canal-lined Eskişehir and capital Ankara to Konya's Whirling Dervishes and Seljuk Sivas.
Estimated Trip Budget: ₺19,500–₺42,000 (€525–€1,130) per person · Primary Transport: 250 km/h TCDD YHT High-Speed Trains (Booked via TCDD e-Bilet)
Day-by-day plan
Istanbul Sultanahmet & Asian Side Kadıköy (Istanbul)
Explore Sultanahmet and cross by ferry to Kadıköy near Söğütlüçeşme YHT Station.
YHT to Eskişehir — Odunpazarı & Porsuk River (Istanbul → Eskişehir)
Ride the morning TCDD YHT (3h, ~₺540) to Eskişehir, tour Kengo Kuma's OMM museum, historic Odunpazarı houses, and taste authentic Çibörek.
YHT to Ankara — Anıtkabir & Anatolian Civilizations (Eskişehir → Ankara)
75-minute YHT hop to Ankara Gar; visit Anıtkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Ankara Castle.
Day Trip to UNESCO Gordion or Hattusa (Ankara)
Explore Phrygian Gordion and King Midas's wooden tomb chamber just west of Ankara.
YHT to Konya — Mevlana Museum & Seljuk Madrasas (Ankara → Konya)
Take the 1h 45m YHT across the Anatolian steppe to Konya for the Mevlana Museum, Karatay Tile Museum, and Etli Ekmek.
Çatalhöyük Neolithic Site & Sille Village (Konya)
Visit 9,400-year-old Çatalhöyük and the rock churches of Sille.
YHT East to Sivas — Gök Medrese & Twin Minaret (Konya → Ankara → Sivas)
Ride the newest 250 km/h Ankara–Sivas YHT line to admire Sivas's 1271 Seljuk stone portals.
Direct Istanbul–Sivas YHT Return (Sivas → Istanbul)
Board the direct high-speed train back to Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme.
Transport & rail/flight notes
250 km/h TCDD YHT High-Speed Trains (Booked via TCDD e-Bilet). Book TCDD YHT high-speed trains 15–30 days ahead on e-Bilet and domestic flights on Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet, or SunExpress.
What to book ahead
- Cappadocia sunrise hot air balloon flight for your first morning in Göreme (€180–€280).
- TCDD YHT high-speed rail seats and domestic flights with 15–20 kg checked baggage included.
- Museum Pass Türkiye (€165) or Museum Pass Istanbul (€105) to skip ticket booth queues at Topkapı Palace and Ephesus.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 2 extra days on the Turquoise Coast in Kaş or Bodrum for a wooden gulet boat excursion.
- Swap a domestic flight for the 250 km/h TCDD YHT high-speed train between Istanbul, Eskişehir, Ankara, and Konya.