what did you last spend $12 on?

The Turkish flag watermark was there well before everyone had a camera in their pockets. You can see it in photos from ~100 years ago.

idk why but as a turkish person the vibe and the video overall made me feel emotional 🥹

Took the Dogu express from Istanbul to Erzurum 53 years ago

These sort of long distance trains a bit off the beaten path gives you the feeling of travel like no other. I can remember one day during the Trans-Siberian Express journey we had a longer stop in Novosibirsk. I just went outside to the station square and bought a sandwich at some kebab stall there. And suddenly that moment thats so hard to describe hits you: " Im eating a kebab in freaking Novosibirsk..." Only a train like that can provide that sense of how far you have traveled.

We were on this train to Kars early January 2024. Many seat available in the winter. We just had a seat and even got a 50% discount ( $6.00 )being in our mid seventies. I was surprised they gave the discount to non citizens. We also took the return in late February 2024 . Saw much more since some of the trip to Kars was at night. I believe we were only English speaking passengers in both directions? Our journey was 40 hours due to a landslide covering the tracks in the canyon area. Great video and narritive. Life is good . Tom Thorsen & Paula Wolber. USA Ps I wished they dimmed the lights at night!

Tom 'gets' the little, non instagrammable moments in travelling that make it...i don't know...memorable. Lovely travelogue and his storytelling style is so watchable, thanks dude!

I loved the way he was excited about every small detail all along the journey. That's so sweet. Hope you enjoyed your visit to Türkiye.

I did all these long distance Turkish trains in the 1980s. Besides the Doğu Ekspres, there was the equally interesting Tatvan Ekspres to Lake Van and the Kurtalan Ekspress to a place east of Diyarbakır. Back then they had all single, very comfortable sleeping compartments and old fashioned restaurant cars with hot meals and alcoholic drinks, and their starting point was not Ankara but İstanbul. What definitely improved is that the Turkish railways now generally keep to the timetable. Back then delays of half a day or even more no exception. ...

A surprisingly moving story Tom, thanks for sharing!

Excellent video! Summer before last I traveled from Lisbon to Tbilisi by train and the Dogu Express was the highlight of the trip. I was also the only non-Turk "yabanci" on the train and everyone was also so welcoming and kind despite the language barrier. I was lucky enough to get a couchette and got off in Erzurum, would love to go back and take it again in the winter.

A very well made, honest, brilliantly narrated travel video.

Oh man, that brief flash of excitement and dread when you sit in your coach seat on train ride that's going to be 24+ hours long

I really loved that your behave in every moment, enjoying even little things is amazing feauture. Everybody must do the same

Can I just say that this video was one of the best you've made so far. The editing, the scenery, the whole composition - simply perfect. You've probably inspired me to travel more and actually use my "Klimaticket" here in Austria. Warm spring greetings from Vienna ❤

What a video! Thanks for sharing the "Doğu Ekspresi" with your followers Tom, I hope somebody from here watching this video will take that wonderful journey across Anatolia. I hope I will be doing that next winter. Love from Izmir , from a Turkish follower of yours .And do not forget to come to the Aegean part of Turkey.

The hits just don't stop coming. Love watching your adventures!

Heads up that the Turkish ğ is not pronounced like a g. It pulls out the vowel before it or is silent.

another beutiful video. it is the gentle nature of your voice and observations which really sets you apart

I took Doğu Express back in 2018, when they didn't have the touristic train yet, and I was lucky to have been able to book a place in a first class compartment. I did it the other way round though, travelling from Kars to Ankara, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenic ride. I also visited Ani, just like you did, but I had travelled in Armenia before arriving in Turkey, so it gave me two different perspectives to contemplate about while wondering through the ruins - a complicated tragedy, no matter how you look at it. In any case, it's a journey worth doing, regardless of the class of travel. BTW, you apparently stayed at the same hotel as I did - "Kars Konak"!

I know the exact feeling you had when you were finally laying down to sleep after such a long journey to a new place. Brilliant video, thank you.

I like your video mainly because people from first world countries just visit 5 star all included holiday resorts in Antalya etc and all of a sudden they become experts about the country. At least, you attempted to see what is out there. Btw I don't know if there was a problem with that batch but Camlica is usually pretty good. Especially when it is ice cold. But it may be a taste palette thing too.

It's because the lira lost 80% of its value against the US dollar over the last five years. I love Turkey. Make sure that you get an iskender kebab.

Another fantastic travel story. I enjoy your authentic appreciation for foreign experience. I watched your US cross country video at least 3 times. Love the scenery and your choice of music!

Did this vertical journey 20 years ago in the opposite direction. Took the Vangolu exp. on the way there from Istanbul to Tatvan/Van (train on the ferry over the lake) and a combination of minibuses form Van to Kars. Unforgettable memories.

If I have known this, I would have included this in my bucketlist. I lived and visited Turkey in the autumn of 2023! 😄

You saw my city too! Sending love 💕

I took this train around the same time as you did, I think. It was amazing, turkish people on board were so nice to us. As you said, all the little drawbacks of the trip are nothing compared to the memories you get from that adventure :)

Btw I recommend night train from Istanbul to Sofia!! Those same trains but I had a place in sleeper cabin. Btw Bulgaria is good country for train traveling. Maybe still the cheapest in whole Europe. Their trains are quite empty, almost never full, always have space. And all seats are in cabins where you can open the window when it feels like your balcony.

You drank camlica warm. You need to serve it cold man. Orange one is banging!

I hitchhiked around eastern Turkey in 2009, one of the friendliest (and most beautiful) places I’ve ever been.

I've also been on the train, was a lovely experience. Ankara is my current place of residence, and Kars which is the final destination is me and my dad's hometown and I was getting to see it for the first time ever, so it was a wonderful experience cruising through the countryside. If you're lucky enough, you may even be awake to see the Euphrates and Kizilirmak Rivers :) Definitely recommend, the price is also dirt cheap

Look at Tom's face, fellow comment section dwellers, for this is what a master storyteller looks like. I applaud your work, sire.

I took this train last summer! One of the most memorable train rides ever for sure

What an exciting adventure! The look of joy that was frequently on your face was priceless. I love those travel times when I feel overwhelmed by the joy of the experience.

So beautiful the eastern express. Thr snow is so beautiful .

What an amazing video, I can't quite decide if I'm jealous or not, but I'm very grateful you documented it for us!

Too critical. If you worry about your comfort so much, stay home next time. I took overnight bus and train trips in the UK and they were not that comfortable.

glad you are back in Europe Tom, awesome video, thanks!

Brilliant video and a massive eye-opener. This must be among the better train journeys on this planet.

That looks like an amazing journey. Thanks for the honest review with the highs and lows of the trip.

Thank you Tom for this excellent travelogue. Greetings from Italy.

Thank you for showing us this trip!

Great video as always Tom. Wasn’t aware of this journey before, but it looks fantastic! Love the story about the old man leaving you the tea - unexpected moments with strangers like that become the best memories

Loved this Tom. Especially the narration. If you have never looked into being a voice over artist you may want to look into it. It can be very lucrative and I think you would be brilliant at it.

1) I love how you always manage to extract the positive out of any situation you find yourself in! 2) Was that a steam locomotive on the left side of the platform in Kars??

You were amazing at explaining the journey. It was awesome.

Great video, as always, and some of your best footage so far, I think.

Great video Tom! 😀

I really love your videos! You have such a great vibe

Love following your travel...you have some amazing experiences!

Fantastic video, Tom! Your videos are so wholesome and insightful. An incredible journey as well and one I’d love to take one day.

Such a fantastic video, thanks for sharing the experience

Thanks Tom . Love your humour. 😊 Your videos stand out even more with a bit of humour.

Brilliant video and great scenery. Hope all is well, take care

Love your journeys.

You are such a good storyteller 🥲 I loved this video and will watch whatever you share from now on❤️

Great report, Mr Thornton. Waving from Istanbul.

Thank you so much for sharing this video Tom! It really impressed me and I would love to do this trip with a friend or my girlfriend. Especially because you can have a good time without a big budget. Great video!👌

Thank you for this inspiring content.

That was a spectacular journey and video.

You have a very nice calm voice Tom. Love your videos.

Oh this was absolutely fantastic! After all that I hope you were able to spend some time in Kars exploring.

Inspiring doğu-mentary!

amazing views ❤ loved it

Ben Türküm ülkemize geldiğiniz için teşekkür ederiz Umarım bende bir gün Yurt dışına gidebilirim

Just love this video

Fantastic video, if anything it motivates me to visit this amazing country.

Amazing storytelling 🙌

I love your videos and the cool sublime vibe here.

That is some fantastic scenery!

Hi Tom Im Turkısh I love your vıdeo hava nice travels , Türkiye is really beatiful I hope you enjoyed

nice scenery, hope o take this train too one day

Great channel, just subscribed

Your vlog was wonderful. I'd like to try taking the train to Kars, but as you said, it's not easy to catch. Maybe I'll try the regular train, like you did in your travels. Thanks .

Oh wow, I took this train about 10 years ago and back then had no issues to get a bunk bed. Unfortunately I had two turkish men with me, in general very nice, but chain-smoking (despite all the signs). For some reason they didn't understand me when I asked them to stop smoking at least for a bit 🙈😁. The train ride was very smooth though and really nice. Kars and Ani were my goal to reach and it was definitely all worth it … I didn't know it was such a "trend" now, one downside of the constant stream of social media 😉 … but obviously also good for eastern Turkey I suppose. I would definitely recommend it. Unfortunately they don't offer the train from Istanbul to Teheran anymore, which was an even more epic journey.

Hey, How did you get back Home from Kars?

I did once in the early 70es a 5 night ride from Istanbul to Teheran. The train was crossing Van lake on a ferry.. The price for this Trip, with fake Studentcard was the lowest to make the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to Teheran

Enjoyed this! I took a two-week bus tour from Istanbul, turning toward the Black Sea and nearly to Russian border, then back south and across the middle. Chose that tour so that I could visit Sumela Monastery. Loved Erzurum and also remains of an Armenian church. But my difficulty is that I am a blonde woman and so even with other people I was constantly harassed. I'd go to Turkey again because the country is immense and has so many distinct geographical regions, but only if I could go as a male.

What a fantastic journey! And what a sweet man buying you that Thea.

loved every atto-seconds of it

Limon aromalı Çamlıca is literally the worst thing over here; you keeping it for the end as a treat for yourself is truly hilarious. P.S. Also it's not lemonade, it's just carbonated water with the worst synthetic lemon flavoring known to man.

Wow. What an experience. Wasn’t easy for you but strangely rewarding. ✌️

Thank you for this nice video. I will add that as a Turkish guy I never liked camlica but a similar bevarage, Uludag is my preferred soda in Turkey, especially their orange flavored one - although the last time I bought, the color was lighter and taste was sour. I don't know if it was a spolied one, or if they changed their formula.

A ferry trip (for one person, no vehicle), one-way from Oakland to San Francisco, will cost just about the same. Travel time: about 30 minutes. Very lovely view though.

I love Turkey so much. Regret not getting out this way when we were there.

this last winter was very mild for turkey. way warmer than the how it is usually. i think in places like germany it was the opposite with a pretty cold winter this year

I'd have flown from IST to Erzincan, stay a night there and take the train from there the next morning. 9 hour train ride from there during the day time 11:30am departure. Perfect.

What a well told story!

wow, that was actually surprisingly touching

6:18 why am I crying here?

Amazing. Hi tom visit k2 and Nangaparbat the himalayan mountains form on peak

Beautiful…memories for a lifetime.

looks amazing

My visit to Ankara is the very definition of absurd: Was tasked to carry a football (military parlance for sensitive information carrier), flown in from Kuwait in 1991 on a MAC flight (Military Air Command), met at airpot by embassy attache, had small metal briefcase handcuffed to me, in full, armed Marine camo posture, escorted directly to civilian plane bound for Cairo, Egypt, sat alone in back, met in Cairo by another embassy attache, driven to destination, stood at desk while case was opened, caught a glimpse of a small stack of papers being shuffled out (no idea what was on them, so no classified breach by sharing this laugh), was taken directly back to airport, minimal wait, return back to Ankara, go back to the MAC flight area, catch the next trip back to Kuwait (little more than an hour’s wait), all like nothing had ever happened! 😁 Craziest day trip of my life, with minimal time spent at either place, Ankara just in airport/airspace and Cairo just the airport & short road trip, but hey, at least I can say I’ve actually been to both places…🤷🏼🤦🏻🤣

nice!! i'm yet to try this train and i'm turkish aha need to give it a go sometime

You give me good feelings, may God bless you

Nice video, as usual. ❤👍Now you have to take the Optima Express which runs from my hometown in the south of Austria, to Edirne, Turkey. Similar distance. But much more expensive! 😕 "the random sleep-deprived Englishman at the next table" 😄👍

I did not think I was going to enjoy your style of video but I got sucked in. I am such a sucker for experiences exactly like this. This is what travel is supposed to be.

Heres something you may find interesting. :) The name of my country has nothing to do with the interesting and delicious bird 'turkey'...... .....but the name of the bird does have a connection with the name of my country, let me explain. :) In the past 40 years 37 countries have changed their name. Obviously one can not change the name of an apple or an orange etc in other languages, but country names are like peoples' individual names, so if you're named John we don't call you Karen. :) Name of my country has always been Türkiye, it's been known as such since around the 1200's. The name it self has a suffix, '-iye', that is Turk-iye, where the -iye suffix means 'land of/belonging to', just like the Latin suffix of '-ia', which exists in such country names like Austr-ia, Austral-ia, Indones-ia etc. Basically, the use of '-iye/-ia' is the same as the the use of '-land' suffix in country names like Ire(Eire)-land, Po(le)-land, Eng(Anglo)-land and so on and so on. Many would remember the country Czechoslovak-ia which changed it's name to Czech Republic and a few years ago changed that to Czechia (that is Czech-ia). The Latin suffix -ia probably originates from Turkish -iye as Turkish been over 10,000 years is much older than Latin which is around 1300 years old. Spelled in different languages in different ways to phonetically resemble (to sound like) 'Türkiye' we got various spellings like; Turq-uía (in Spanish), Turch-ia (in Italian), Turq-uie (in French) Turk-ei (in German) Turk-ey (in English) Mind you this was way before the animal we currently know as turkey was found by the europeans when they explored the north americas. The bird was first sent to europe from north americas in the year 1519, so up until that point there was no bird named turkey.... ...they came across the bird and thought it was a specie of the fowl/chicken they had been buying from the country of Turkiye at the time, so they named the bird 'Turkey Fowl' to define 'Turkish Chicken'... ....just like how a dog breed is known as German Shepherd (because it's from Germany), American Bulldog, British Terrier, Greek Harehound etc etc. In time you don't get to call the harehound simply as Greek or you don't call the terrier Britirsh, or shepherd as simply German, but in time the Turkish Fowl started to be called just 'Turkey' and later 'turkey', and this went on for hundreds of years. Now in modern times, this caused confusion, especially when we have people across the world unable to point to their own country on an atlas. Basically we didn't change the name of our country, we changed the mistake made in the English language. : ) So, there's some tid bit information for you to have a great day, if you read upto this point you have a great night too, ohh just have a wonderfull life. : ) Best wishes. ;)