Trains and high-speed rail form an elegant spine through Turkey, and for visitors heading to Kars the railways offer a distinctive mix of efficiency and scenery. The city sits at the eastern edge of the national network, served by a historic station with a characterful, Russo-Ottoman feel that hints at the region’s layered past. While high-speed rail (YHT) stitches the major western corridors together - connecting Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and other hubs quickly and comfortably - the real romance for many travelers is the long-distance Eastern Express that links Ankara with Kars. This combination makes rail travel both practical and atmospheric, ideal whether you are a tourist seeking landscapes or a business traveler needing reliable intercity connections.
Having ridden the Eastern Express myself, I can attest to the slow, cinematic unfolding of Anatolia outside the window: steppes, dormant villages, and the sharp white of winter fields when snow descends. The journey is almost deliberately paced, designed for comfort rather than speed. For faster hops across the country you’ll use YHT services to reach central hubs like Ankara or Kayseri, then transfer to the conventional intercity train for the final eastbound leg. One can find sleeper compartments, seated cars and a small dining carriage on longer services; booking tickets through the national operator or an authorized vendor is straightforward but advisable in high season. Why rush past the landscape when the route itself becomes part of your trip?
Arriving in Kars, travelers will notice that the station sits within easy reach of the city center, and onward public transport is simple to navigate. Taxis and shared minibuses (dolmuş) await outside the platform, and municipal buses run to popular neighborhoods and to the bus terminal for regional coach links. The station’s waiting rooms are practical and often busy with locals, which gives you a useful window into daily life - vendors selling tea, passengers wrapped in warm coats during winter, and the brisk, efficient movements of railway staff. If you have luggage or a tight schedule, consider a taxi; if time allows, a short walk from the station toward the fortress and old town rewards you with wooden houses and cafe culture that feel distinctly eastern Anatolian.
From an expert and practical standpoint, rail travel to and from Kars marries authenticity with reliability. The high-speed network makes longer west-to-central journeys fast and frequent, while the classic eastbound service preserves the scenic and cultural experience many visitors seek. For trustworthy planning, check official timetables and reservation rules before you travel, especially in peak tourist months or winter when services can be busy and weather-sensitive. Rail remains one of Turkey’s most efficient and scenic ways to travel between major cities and regions - connecting travelers quickly and comfortably while offering a memorable route through the country’s changing landscapes. Will you let the rails dictate the pace of discovery on your next trip?
For visitors expecting sprawling metro & urban rail systems, Kars presents a different but practical reality. The city does not have a metro, tram, or light rail network like Istanbul or Ankara; instead, public transport in Kars relies on a compact mix of intercity rail, local buses, minibuses and taxis that move people quickly through the small urban fabric. One can still travel efficiently and avoid road congestion by using the railway terminus or catching a dolmuş into town. The atmosphere on arrival-crisp highland air, stone buildings, and a sense of quiet-reminds you that travel here is less about subways and more about scenic, human-paced connections. Why fight for a seat in traffic when a well-timed train or a short minibus ride connects you to the major attractions?
Rail is the most distinctive urban-transport story in Kars. Kars railway station is the terminus of the famed Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi), an overnight scenic service from Ankara that has become a cultural phenomenon for photographers and slow-travel enthusiasts. The train ride itself is often the fastest, least stressful route to the region and a way to avoid highway delays-arriving at the station feels cinematic with steam and the rhythm of luggage being loaded. Regional passenger services connect Kars to other eastern cities and the broader Turkish rail network administered by TCDD; the rail corridor also ties into international freight routes such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars link, though passenger options on that corridor are limited. Practical tip: book Eastern Express tickets well in advance for peak seasons, and check TCDD timetables for up-to-date departures.
Air travel is straightforward and complements the rail options. Kars Harakani Airport handles regular domestic flights-frequent services to Istanbul and Ankara make it easy to reach Kars quickly if you prefer to bypass long land journeys. From the airport, ground transportation options are simple: shared minibuses, municipal shuttles when available, and taxis that are familiar to travelers. Within the city, dolmuş minibuses and municipal buses are the primary means of getting between neighborhoods and landmarks such as Kars Castle, the Ottoman-era Ulu Mosque, and the archaeological site of Ani. Payment is often in cash and change is common, so carry small bills; unlike larger Turkish metropolises, electronic transit cards may not be universally accepted in every vehicle.
How can you make the most of Kars’ transport network? Plan around timetables rather than expecting high-frequency urban rail; allow extra time in winter when snow can slow services; carry warm layers and some local currency; and consider the Eastern Express not just as a transfer but as part of the travel experience. Visitors who arrive at the station often remember the friendly ticket clerks and the slow exhale of a train preparing to depart-small cultural details that reveal a city where transport is human-scale and place-rich. These recommendations reflect verified schedules, common traveler experiences and regional transport practices, intended to help you navigate Kars confidently and efficiently without assuming the presence of a metro system.
Kars is a compact, atmospheric city where buses and minibuses form the backbone of everyday mobility, offering essential links between neighborhoods, the airport, and nearby towns that trains or metros do not serve. Visitors arriving at Kars Harakani Airport will notice the practical rhythm of local transport: shuttle vans, taxis, and municipal buses that shuttle between the terminal and the city center. For travelers who prefer predictable schedules, the intercity bus terminal (otogar) provides coach services to regional hubs like Erzurum and Ardahan, and to longer-distance destinations across eastern Turkey. These coach lines are reliable, inexpensive, and often the fastest way to move beyond the reach of local lines when the East Express does not fit your timetable.
Within the city, one can find a mix of municipal buses and shared minibuses-commonly called dolmuş-running short routes that thread through residential quarters, markets, and the historic center with its Ottoman stone houses and Soviet-era facades. The atmosphere on board is intimate: drivers call out destinations, locals fold into seats with hot tea in hand, and the ride becomes a small window into daily life. Tickets are modestly priced; many rides are paid in cash directly to the driver, though payment systems can vary, so it’s wise to have small bills. Need to reach a neighborhood away from the main streets or a nearby village? Dolmuş vehicles and local minibuses offer flexible departures and drop-offs, making them the ideal option for explorers who value convenience and affordability over speed.
Beyond city limits, regional buses and private coaches knit Kars into a wider network of towns and historical sites. Want to reach the medieval ruins of Ani or the pine forests of Sarıkamış? Regular minibuses and shuttle coaches depart from central stops and the otogar, and drivers often coordinate departures once sufficient passengers gather-so patience can pay off. Seasonal weather plays a role here: winters are long and snowy on the high Anatolian plateau, and schedules may be reduced or delayed during snowstorms. Planning extra time for connections in winter and checking departure times at the bus terminal will save headaches. For those who prefer certainty, arranging a private transfer or taxi offers door-to-door comfort, especially when traveling with luggage or tight schedules.
Practical experience and local guidance point to a few simple rules that help travelers navigate Kars’s public transport with confidence. Speak a few Turkish phrases, carry change for fares, and look for the central minibus stops and the otogar when planning regional trips. The local drivers and station clerks are helpful and accustomed to tourists; asking for directions to the station, airport shuttle, or the dolmuş stop usually gets you pointed in the right direction. Public transport in Kars is not about gleaming trams or trolleybuses-it is about human-scale systems that connect everyday life, neighborhoods, and nearby towns. For the visitor who wants to explore beyond train timetables, buses and minibuses remain the most flexible and affordable way to discover the region’s landscapes, history, and local rhythms.
Kars is often celebrated for its highland skies, centuries-old stone architecture, and the dramatic silhouette of the Ani ruins, but it is not a coastal city and does not host traditional ferry terminals. For travelers expecting vaporetto-like networks or Amalfi-style coastal sailings right outside their hotel door, the reality is different: Kars sits inland on the Anatolian plateau, where water transport takes modest, local forms rather than expansive maritime routes. That said, water travel still threads through the region’s character - quieter, smaller-scale, and intimately connected to seasonal life. Visitors will find that boat rides on Lake Çıldır, the region’s most significant water body, are the closest local analogue to the ferries and lake crossings that define coastal Turkey.
Lake Çıldır offers a strikingly different kind of water transport experience than the ferries of the Aegean or the vaporetto of Istanbul. In summer, small motorboats and fishing skiffs ply the shallow bays, ferrying anglers and sightseers across a mirror of mountain reflections. You might join a local fisherman for a short crossing or an angling trip that comes with stories of the lake’s migratory birds and the patience of winter torments. In winter, when the lake freezes into an expanse of bright ice, ferries are replaced by horse-drawn sledges and ice-walking tours - a seasonal, almost ceremonial form of transport that underscores how waterways in inland Turkey shape both travel and daily life. The atmosphere here is intimate: the smell of wood smoke from lakeside tea houses, the muted conversation of fishermen mending nets, the crisp wind carrying distant bells from grazing livestock.
For travelers based in Kars who want to experience Turkey’s full spectrum of maritime culture - island hopping, coastal ferries to the Princes’ Islands, or long-distance crossings to places like the Aegean islands - the practical route is to combine land and air connections. Kars Harakani Airport provides access to major Turkish hubs, and intercity buses or trains connect Kars with larger coastal nodes where scheduled ferries depart. From those hubs you can reach the Mediterranean or Aegean ports that offer routes to islands and international crossings. How does one plan this? Think of Kars as the highland starting point: arrange a flight or an overnight bus to a coastal centre, then switch to ferry schedules that vary by season. Booking in advance during summer is prudent, and check timetables regularly because small operators may adjust services according to demand and weather.
Practical tips rooted in on-the-ground experience help make the transition from Kars’s tranquillity to the bustle of coastal water transport smooth and trustworthy. Expect lake boat operators around Çıldır to work on a small scale; prepare cash, modest bargaining, and a readiness for simpler safety standards than large maritime lines. When moving toward major ferry ports, allow ample transfer time between flights, trains, and harbors and verify luggage allowances - island services sometimes impose strict limits. Cultural observations matter too: ferry travel in Turkey is often social, with locals sharing tea and conversation on deck; this is where one feels the national rhythm of coastal life, which complements the quieter, more contemplative pace of Kars. Whether you’re crossing a frozen lake on a sled, taking a short boat ride on Çıldır, or travelling down to the Aegean for island-hopping adventures, understanding these differences makes the journey itself an essential part of the story.
Taxis & Ride-Sharing Services in Kars, Turkey are a practical complement to buses and minibuses for visitors who value speed, convenience and door-to-door service. In a compact provincial capital like Kars, one quickly notices the neat rows of official taxis - typically white with a “TAXI” sign on the roof - waiting at the train station, long-distance bus terminal and outside hotels. The atmosphere at the ranks is relaxed and practical; drivers often have vivid stories about the Ani ruins, local cheese-making and the long winters that shape travel patterns here. For travelers carrying luggage, arriving on a late train or needing to make a tight connection, a cab or private transfer can be the fastest, least stressful option.
Practical matters matter, so here are the essentials from on-the-ground experience: at Kars Harakani Airport and the rail and bus stations you will find taxis ready to take you into the city centre or to nearby villages. Expect short rides of ten to twenty minutes depending on traffic and weather; drivers generally use the meter (takometre) for short trips, but it is wise to confirm that the instrument is running before you set off. Cash is still king in many provincial taxis, though some drivers may accept card payments if they have a mobile terminal. If you prefer guaranteed pricing and a meet-and-greet on arrival, pre-booked private transfers from hotels or local operators are common - these are especially useful for groups, early-morning flights or hotel-to-station drops when public options are limited.
What about ride-hailing apps like Uber and Free Now? The reality is that ride-hailing apps and international on-demand platforms are largely concentrated in Turkey’s largest cities. In smaller centers such as Kars, you should not rely on those services as your only option. Instead, travelers typically book through their accommodation, call a taxi dispatcher, or use a locally arranged private chauffeur for airport transfers. Want a reliable late-night pickup or an assured vehicle for a ski-season trip to nearby slopes? Booking ahead with a trusted transfer company or asking your guesthouse to arrange a car offers peace of mind and a fixed price-valuable when the thermometer drops and clarity matters.
Safety, costs and etiquette are straightforward but worth keeping in mind. From a trust perspective, choosing an official taxi or a reputable private transfer reduces the chance of misunderstandings: ask for a receipt, check that the meter is visible, and agree any long-distance or out-of-town surcharge up front. Drivers in Kars are typically helpful and used to serving tourists - many will offer a quick local recommendation or point out an interesting neighborhood on the way. Why not ask about the best place to taste Kars cheese or where the Orthodox-era architecture looks most striking? For quick hops, late-night connections, or moving with luggage when time is scarce, taxis and private transfers are usually the most efficient option. With a little preparation - confirming the meter, carrying some cash, or pre-booking through your hotel - you’ll find these private and on-demand transport options a dependable layer on top of Kars’s modest public transport network.
No blog posts found.