Türkiye, Iran revive Van-Tehran railway link after 5-year suspension
Türkiye and Iran have agreed to restart the Van-Tehran train service, with ticket sales opening on February 20 to improve regional travel, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo via Türkiye Daily)
Train services between Van and Tehran have resumed after a five-year suspension, following discussions between the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Iranian officials.
The first journey from Tehran to Van took place on March 9, while the first departure from Van to Tehran is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m.
Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed the resumption of the Van-Tehran passenger train, highlighting its significance in strengthening regional transportation and boosting tourism.
“The railway cooperation between Türkiye and Iran is crucial for enhancing regional connectivity and increasing tourism activity. The restart of the Van-Tehran train will further strengthen economic and cultural ties,” Uraloglu said in a written statement.
The train will operate twice a week in both directions. Departures from Tehran are scheduled for Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:35 p.m., arriving in Van the following day at 10:15 a.m. Trains from Van will depart on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m., arriving in Tehran at 5:20 p.m. the next day. The journey will take approximately 22 hours.
The service is managed by Iran’s RAJA Passenger Transport Company and consists of seven couchette wagons, each with a capacity of 40 passengers.
Tickets are available for purchase at TCDD Tasimacilik AS’s international ticket offices in major Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The ticket price has been set at $27.
The train route will pass through Van’s Ozalp and Saray districts before crossing the border at Kapikoy. On the Iranian side, it will stop at Razi, Salmas, Tabriz, and Zanjan before reaching Tehran.
Before operations were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Van-Tehran train had transported over 10,000 passengers between 2019 and 2020. With its return, authorities expect an increase in demand, particularly during the summer months.
Uraloglu emphasized that the resumption of the service aligns with Türkiye’s goal of expanding international railway cooperation. “This project is an important step towards strengthening Türkiye’s railway transport partnerships globally,” he said.
The decision to restart services also includes plans for the future resumption of the Van-Tabriz route. However, no specific date has been announced for its implementation.
