Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Turkey Extension: Istanbul to Georgia by Rail

Turkey Extension: Istanbul to Georgia by Rail, a rail journey with Tailor Made Rail

Travel through Turkey on the spectacular Dogu Express to Kars, where you transfer across the border into Georgia for an unforgettable few days in this beautiful nation in the Caucuses. This holiday can be taken with connecting flights in and out or as an extension to our London to Istanbul itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ankara (Ankara Hotel or similar)

    Istanbul to Ankara

    Head across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul, and board the high-speed Turkish YHT train at Söğütlüçeşme station bound for the nation's capital, Ankara. Zoom at high speed across the scorched countryside of northwestern Turkey, passing the cities of Izmit and Eskisehir before arriving into Ankara. If you're flying into Istanbul today, you might like to stop for a few nights here to explore before moving on.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight aboard the Doğu Express to Kars

    Ankara and board the Dogu Express

    You have the majority of the day to explore all that Ankara has to offer, including the impressive Anıtkabir, the resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and Ankara's castle and citadel. In the early evening, it's time to board the Doğu Express, which takes you across the heart of Anatolia to Kars in the nation's north-eastern corner, settling into your comfortable reclining seat (upgrades to couchettes may be available on request).

  3. Day 3overnight: Kars (Kars-i Sirin Hotel or similar)

    Arrive Kars

    Today the scenery goes up a notch, as you twist and turn through the wilds of Anatolia, alongside rivers and wide valleys, dissecting mountains and over viaducts. You arrive into the remote city of Kars in the evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Batumi (Radisson Blu Batumi or similar)

    Kars to Batumi via Borçka

    Today, it's time to cross into Georgia, a journey undertaken by private car transfer. You will be collected from your hotel and driven north through the mountains, with an hour-long stop to break up the journey at Borçka, a stunningly situated town close to the border. Once you are into Georgia, it's a short drive up the Black Sea coast to Batumi.

  5. Day 5overnight: Batumi (Radisson Blu Batumi or similar)

    Batumi

    Spend a day exploring Georgia's second-largest city, the centre of which has been transformed since 2010. The skyline boasts stunning architecture, including the iconic Alphabet Tower and futuristic skyscrapers that contrast beautifully with the historic charm of its old town. Known as the "Las Vegas of the Black Sea" there are an array of casinos if you fancy trying your luck!

  6. Day 6railovernight: Tbilisi (Hotel Graf or similar)

    Batumi to Tbilisi

    It's time to head inland today on a Georgian Railways' service to the capital Tbilisi. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours, allowing ample time to relax and enjoy the scenery through large windows. As the train ascends into the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the views become even more spectacular, with dramatic peaks and rushing rivers.

  7. Day 7overnight: Tbilisi (Hotel Graf or similar)

    Tbilisi

    Georgia's capital is an underrated gem, and you have two full days to explore. Tbilisi features a wealth of different architectural styles with a backdrop of mountains on three sides and an imposing fortress dominating the landscape. There's also a great range of museums here and exceptional Georgian cuisine to be tasted.

  8. Day 8overnight: Tbilisi (Hotel Graf or similar)

    Tbilisi

    Georgia's capital is an underrated gem, and you have two full days to explore. Tbilisi features a wealth of different architectural styles with a backdrop of mountains on three sides and an imposing fortress dominating the landscape. There's also a great range of museums here and exceptional Georgian cuisine to be tasted.

  9. Day 9rail

    Depart Tbilisi

    Leave Tbilisi today for your onward journey. You can either add a flight to your booking or perhaps continue your journey with a sleeper service into Armenian capital Yerevan, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations starting in Istanbul and finishing in Tbilisi
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Overnight couchette from Ankara to Kars
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation

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