High-speed trains (YHT) connect Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, and other major cities across Turkey. If you’re travelling between these cities or planning a day trip from Istanbul, buying tickets directly from TCDD—the official state railway operator—is straightforward and far cheaper than flying. This guide shows you how to buy high-speed train tickets in Turkey as a foreign visitor, what to expect at each step, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
The recommended method is booking online 15 days before departure, though you can also buy at stations or via the call center if you need flexibility. High-speed trains run multiple times daily, seats are reserved, and you’ll need your passport details and a valid payment card.
Quick answer: YHT high-speed trains connect Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, Karaman and Sivas. Reservations are compulsory. Tickets are sold online through official railway channels about 15–30 days ahead, with journeys between Istanbul and Ankara taking about 4 to 4.5 hours. Book online at the official TCDD website, by phone, at a station ticket office, or through an authorized travel agency.
At a Glance
| Total time | 15–20 minutes online; 30–45 minutes at a station ticket office |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | ₺–₺₺ depending on route and class; Istanbul–Ankara economy typically budget to moderate |
What You Need Before You Start
- Valid passport for foreign visitors (original required at boarding for YHT trains)
- Credit or debit card for online booking, or cash for station purchases
- Booking made 15 days or more in advance for best availability
- Confirmation number or PNR (reservation code) if you make a reservation first
- No visa or HES code required for ticket purchase
Compare Your Options
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online booking via TCDD website | 15–20 minutes to book; pay immediately or reserve for up to 5 days | ₺–₺₺ | Online tickets can be bought via TCDD Tasimacilik's system EYBIS. Tickets are available 15 to 30 days in advance. Best for planning ahead. Widest choice of times and seats. Foreign credit cards sometimes fail; use a backup payment method. |
| Phone booking via TCDD call center | 10–15 minutes by phone; tickets ready same day | ₺–₺₺ | Call center (444 82 33): You can buy tickets which are available online, also via call center. English-speaking staff is available. Calling with country code (+90) is not possible. Useful if online payment fails or for last-minute bookings within the 15-day window. |
| Station ticket office | 30–45 minutes at the counter; same-day pickup | ₺–₺₺ | Most of the train stations have ticket offices. You can pay either by card or in cash. Backup option if online booking fails. Accept foreign cards and cash. No need to pre-book online. |
| Authorized travel agency | 1–2 hours depending on agency location | ₺₺ | Tourism agencies which are authorized for train ticket sales. Convenient if you're near a travel agency, but typically adds a service fee. Useful for complex multi-leg bookings or if you prefer personal assistance. |
| TCDD mobile app | 15–20 minutes to download and book | ₺–₺₺ | Tickets can be purchased through the official TCDD mobile application. Same booking window and prices as the website. Convenient for repeat travellers and smartphone users; same payment limitations as the website. |
₺ budget · ₺₺ moderate · ₺₺₺ upscale · ₺₺₺₺ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Check current availability and open a booking window
High-speed trains are on sale 15 days prior to departure. Look further ahead and it will seem like there aren't any trains. Visit the TCDD website (tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr) 15 days before your travel date to see available departures. Choose your departure and arrival cities (use lowercase 'i' for Istanbul when typing). Note that Istanbul has several active stations: high-speed services use stations such as Söğütlüçeşme, Pendik and Halkali, depending on the train.
Tip: Bookmark the TCDD website now so you can return exactly 15 days before your planned trip.
Step 2: Select your train and class
YHT trains connect Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, Karaman and Sivas, with 15 daily services between Ankara and Istanbul and 4 daily between Istanbul and Konya. The carriages are split into two classes, Economy and Business. Click your preferred train time. The system will show the available seats and price.
Tip: On the Istanbul-Ankara run, forward-facing window seats on the right give the better landscape.
Step 3: Enter your passport details
Foreign visitors can purchase tickets using their passport information. Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your passport, your passport number, and nationality. The name on the ticket must match the document you carry.
Tip: An original passport is required to get to the train; passport copy is not accepted.
Step 4: Review and confirm your booking or reserve
The system will display the price and give you the choice of immediate purchase, or of holding the option for a few days. When you make reservation through EYBIS, the system gives the option of up to 5 days and a PNR number. You can change your reservation to ticket within given time using your PNR number. Choose to buy immediately or reserve while you decide.
Tip: Save your confirmation number (PNR) immediately. You'll need it to access your booking later.
Step 5: Pay by card online or in person at the station
It's possible to pay with credit card. If the online payment step rejects a foreign card — which does happen — station counters accept cash and cards in person. Foreign credit cards sometimes fail; if yours does, proceed to a station ticket office with your passport and book in person.
Tip: Try your card first; if it fails, don't retry immediately. Go to a station instead to avoid temporary card blocks.
Step 6: Receive and print or screenshot your ticket
SMS sent by system or print of online ticket will be enough. For HSTs, valid ID matching the info on ticket will even be enough. Ticket checks happen on board and sometimes at the platform gate; a screenshot is fine, but keep your passport with it. You do not need to print your ticket; a mobile phone screenshot works.
Tip: Save your ticket as both a screenshot and a photo of your passport confirmation page.
Step 7: Arrive at the station and check in
There's a brief X-ray & metal detector check when entering the station, allow a few minutes for this. Ticket sales continue at stations until 5 minutes before departure. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Show your ticket and passport at the gate.
Tip: Boarding gates typically open 30 minutes before each departure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- When choosing train station, you need to use Turkish characters when needed. Note that 'I' and 'i' will display different results. Use 'i' for Istanbul. Typing 'Istanbul' with a capital I returns no results; use lowercase.
- Agencies which are authorized for train ticket sales exist, but third-party ticket resellers found on travel booking sites add a margin and make refunds complicated. Book only through official TCDD channels (website, app, phone, station, or verified travel agencies).
- Assuming your ticket is non-refundable. You can reserve, buy, change or refund your tickets via this system. Refunds and changes are allowed; check the TCDD website for current terms rather than accepting a reseller's terms.
- Showing up without your original passport. For HSTs, valid ID matching the info on ticket will even be enough — your original passport must match the name on your ticket exactly, and a photocopy is not accepted.
- Arriving at the wrong station. Istanbul has several active stations: high-speed services use stations such as Söğütlüçeşme, Pendik and Halkali, depending on the train. Check your ticket carefully for the correct departure station, as Istanbul YHT trains do not all depart from Sirkeci or a single main station.
- Waiting until the last moment to book on peak days. Friday evening, Sunday evening and public-holiday services sell out within hours. Book immediately when the 15-day window opens for weekend travel.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
Official channels: TCDD Tasimacilik directly sells tickets. Book via the TCDD website (tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr, available in English), the TCDD mobile app, the call center (444 82 33), or at any train station ticket office. High-speed trains are on sale 15 days prior to departure.
Payment methods: It’s possible to pay with credit card. Station offices accept both card and cash. Online payment by foreign credit card sometimes fails; if this happens, visit a station in person.
Foreign visitors: Foreign visitors can purchase tickets using their passport information. No HES code is required. Book using your passport number, and bring your original passport to the station.
Avoid resellers: Book only through official TCDD channels. Third-party resellers complicate refunds and add unnecessary costs. The official website accepts international cards and is available in English.
Istanbul Vibes Tips
- Tickets are sold online about 15–30 days ahead. Seats open roughly 15–30 days before departure. Friday evening, Sunday evening and public-holiday services sell out within hours. Set a calendar reminder for exactly 15 days before your trip so you can book immediately when the booking window opens.
- In the peak of the tourist season, it is better to book seats in sleeping cars a few days in advance. If you're visiting during summer school holidays (July–September) or around public holidays, book as soon as the window opens to avoid disappointment.
- Immediately note your confirmation number, and print your ticket. Save your confirmation number (PNR) and take a screenshot of your e-ticket. If you lose your email, you'll need the PNR to retrieve your booking.
- Do not use a VPN when booking. Some users report that the TCDD website blocks access from VPN addresses. If you use a VPN, disable it before visiting the website.
- Luggage is allowed but large bags may incur an extra fee. If you have extra large bags over the free size limit, you pay the extra-baggage fee here, with cash or card. Pack light or be prepared to pay a small supplement at boarding.
- High speed and main line train tickets are valid only for the given date, train, wagon and seat number. Your ticket is not flexible; if you miss this specific train, you will need to buy a new ticket or request a change (which may incur a fee).
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FAQ
Do I need a reservation on YHT trains?
High-speed YHT trains require seat reservations. Yes—reservations are compulsory and your seat number is printed on your ticket. You cannot board without a reserved seat.
Can I use my foreign credit card online?
If the online payment step rejects a foreign card — which does happen — station counters accept cash and cards in person. Many foreign cards work, but Visa and Mastercard from outside the EU sometimes fail. Have a backup payment method ready or plan to book at a station instead.
Do I need to print my ticket?
Ticket checks happen on board and sometimes at the platform gate; a screenshot is fine, but keep your passport with it. No, a screenshot or photo of your e-ticket on your phone is sufficient. Bring your original passport.
How far in advance should I book?
High-speed trains are on sale 15 days prior to departure. Seats open roughly 15–30 days before departure. Friday evening, Sunday evening and public-holiday services sell out within hours. For weekend travel or holidays, book on the exact day the window opens. For weekday travel, 3–7 days ahead is usually fine.
Which Istanbul station do I depart from?
Istanbul has several active stations: high-speed services use stations such as Söğütlüçeşme, Pendik and Halkali, depending on the train. Check your ticket carefully—YHT trains do not all depart from the same location. Söğütlüçeşme (in Kadıköy on the Asian side) is most common.
What documents do I need at the station?
An original passport is required to get to the train; passport copy is not accepted. Bring your original passport (not a photocopy) and your e-ticket or confirmation number. For HSTs, valid ID matching the info on ticket will even be enough.
Can I change or refund my ticket after booking?
You can reserve, buy, change or refund your tickets via this system. Yes, but check the TCDD website for current refund and change policies. Refunds may incur a fee. Changes are typically allowed if booked through official channels.
What should I do if my online payment is declined?
Visit any train station ticket office with your passport and book in person. You can pay either by card or in cash. Station staff can book your ticket immediately, and you can pay with cash if needed. Do not retry your card multiple times online, as this may trigger a temporary block.
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This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
