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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Turkey Extension: Istanbul to Georgia by Rail

Istanbul to Tbilisi in nine days via the Doğu Express sleeper train

Illustration of Turkey Extension: Istanbul to Georgia by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Turkey Extension: Istanbul to Georgia by Rail is a nine-day self-guided journey across two countries using named trains and one overland transfer. You depart Istanbul on the Turkish YHT high-speed train to Ankara, where you spend a day exploring the capital and its monument Anıtkabir before boarding the Doğu Express, a celebrated overnight sleeper service that winds through Anatolia's mountains and valleys to the remote city of Kars. From there, a private car transfer takes you north through mountain terrain, crossing the border into Georgia and descending to the Black Sea resort of Batumi, where you spend two nights. On Day 6, you board a Georgian Railways train that climbs into the Greater Caucasus Mountains as it travels inland to Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, where you have three nights to explore its mixed architectural styles, museums, and fortress backdrop. Throughout, Tailor Made Rail provides handpicked hotels with breakfast and comprehensive travel documentation. This trip suits independent travellers comfortable navigating cities without a guide, first-time rail passengers seeking an accessible introduction to longer train journeys, and budget-conscious explorers: the from-price stands at GBP 599 per person (approximately USD 800), working out to USD 89 per day.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price is based on two people sharing a room; single supplements apply for sole occupancy.
  • Day 4 involves a private car transfer (not rail) from Kars through the mountains to Batumi, with an hour stop in Borçka near the border.
  • Hotels are listed 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation depends on availability and tier selected.
  • The couchette upgrade from Ankara to Kars is available on request and carries an additional cost.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Turkish YHT high-speed train at Söğütlüçeşme station and travel across northwestern Turkey's scorched countryside to Ankara, passing Izmit and Eskisehir.
  • Day 2Explore Ankara's Anıtkabir, the resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the city's castle and citadel before boarding the Doğu Express in the evening.
  • Day 3Arrive in Kars after a night aboard the Doğu Express, having wound through Anatolia alongside rivers, wide valleys, and mountain viaducts.
  • Day 6Travel by Georgian Railways service from Batumi to Tbilisi (5 to 6 hours) as the train ascends into the Greater Caucasus Mountains with dramatic peak views.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes standard class rail travel with seat reservations from Istanbul to Tbilisi, an overnight couchette from Ankara to Kars (standard reclining seat; couchette upgrade available for a fee), and the Georgian Railways service from Batumi to Tbilisi.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
This is a self-guided, tailor-made holiday. You travel independently with comprehensive travel documentation and easy-to-follow directions to your hotels. There is no tour manager.
What is included in the price?
Standard class rail travel with seat reservations, seven nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast, an overnight couchette from Ankara to Kars, comprehensive directions, and easy-to-follow travel documentation.
When does this trip run?
Tailor Made Rail does not publish fixed departures in the evidence; contact the operator to confirm available dates.
How much walking is involved?
You will walk around cities (Ankara, Kars, Batumi, and Tbilisi) to explore sites including Anıtkabir, castles, and museums. There are no strenuous hikes; the main physical demand is city exploration and luggage handling between stations and hotels.
What is not included?
Flights to and from Istanbul and Tbilisi are not included, though the operator mentions the trip can be taken with connecting flights or as an extension to their London to Istanbul itinerary. Meals other than hotel breakfast, entrance fees to attractions, and the couchette upgrade on the Doğu Express are also not included.

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