Istanbul-Budapest rail link opens: Türkiye’s growing trade network
Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloglu waves on the platform before Istanbul-Budapest train's departure, October 18, 2024. (Photo via x / @@a_uraloglu)
Türkiye has launched its first private international freight train service, connecting Istanbul to Budapest, in a significant step forward for the country’s railway network sector.
The Istanbul-Budapest train, operated by Pasifik Eurasia, left Istanbul over the weekend and successfully arrived in Budapest after a four-day journey covering 962 miles (1,549 kilometers) through Bulgaria and Romania.
Pasifik Eurasia leads the way in private rail network operations
Pasifik Eurasia, Türkiye’s first private international rail operator, has taken the lead in modernizing the country’s rail transport, with plans to transport 750,000 tons of cargo annually. This ambitious project will replace the equivalent of 22,000 trucks, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and enhancing Türkiye’s export capabilities.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Transport, 600 trains per year will operate along this alternative route, marking a major achievement in the country’s ongoing railway liberalization process.
Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloglu stressed the importance of this project during the launch ceremony, stating: “This new connection between Istanbul and Budapest will boost trade and strengthen our ties with Europe.”
The route is part of Türkiye’s broader efforts to develop its rail infrastructure and integrate further into European and Asian trade networks.
Istanbul-Budapest train’s link to Silk Road, Türkiye’s strategic role
Türkiye’s rail network plays a crucial role in the global Silk Road initiative, providing a key corridor for goods traveling between Asia and Europe.
As Minister Uraloglu emphasized, the railway is not only the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport goods but also a vital link in the global supply chain.
Pasifik Eurasia’s service adds to the increasing number of rail connections that have flourished in Türkiye since the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route in 2017, which has significantly cut down travel time for goods from China to Europe.
With the expansion of rail infrastructure planned to reach 17,765 miles (28,590 kilometers) by 2053, Türkiye aims to further solidify its position as a central hub for international trade, particularly in container shipments from China to Europe.
The new Istanbul-Budapest route is expected to strengthen economic ties, benefiting both Türkiye and its European partners by facilitating faster and more efficient cargo transportation.
