Train Journeys in the Middle East
Rail travel in the Middle East carries a heavy weight of history and a handful of genuinely scenic surviving lines. The legendary Hejaz Railway once carried pilgrims from Damascus toward Medina, and its remnants and restored stretches still evoke the age of Lawrence of Arabia. Iran’s Trans-Iranian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage engineering marvel, climbs through mountains and tunnels on one of the world’s great rail feats.
Turkey runs the region’s most traveller-friendly network, including the celebrated Eastern Express that crosses the Anatolian plateau to Kars in winter, and modern high-speed lines linking major cities. Elsewhere, rail is limited, but ambitious new networks are being built across the Gulf.
For travellers, the appeal lies in the scenery and nostalgia of the surviving classic lines rather than speed or coverage.
Rail Routes & Scenic Lines#
Trans-Iranian Railway, Iran A UNESCO-listed engineering triumph running some 1,400 kilometres from the Caspian to the Persian Gulf, climbing through mountains via hundreds of tunnels and bridges. Built in the 1930s, it remains one of the world’s most dramatic rail achievements and a scenic journey.
Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi), Turkey A cult-favourite overnight train crossing the snowy Anatolian plateau from Ankara to Kars, especially magical in winter. Slow, atmospheric, and increasingly popular, it delivers sweeping views of frozen landscapes and a nostalgic journey through the interior.
Hejaz Railway, Jordan & Saudi Arabia The romantic remnant of the Ottoman pilgrim line from Damascus toward Medina, sabotaged in the Arab Revolt and immortalised by Lawrence of Arabia. Restored heritage sections and old locomotives survive in Jordan, evoking a lost era of desert rail.
Istanbul rail gateway, Turkey The historic terminus of the Orient Express, Istanbul remains the starting point for Turkey’s modern network, including high-speed links to Ankara and Konya. Restored stations and new fast trains connect the city to the wider country.
Turkey high-speed lines Modern high-speed rail links Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, and other cities at speeds rivalling European networks. A comfortable and efficient way to cover long distances across the Anatolian heartland.
Tehran metro & regional rail, Iran Beyond the Trans-Iranian, Iran runs overnight sleeper trains linking Tehran with Mashhad, Isfahan, and other cities across the plateau. Comfortable and inexpensive, they are a relaxed way to travel long distances.
Gulf rail ambitions The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and their neighbours are building extensive new passenger and freight networks, including links between the Emirates and a Saudi high-speed line to Mecca. A new era of Gulf rail travel is taking shape.
Aleppo & Levant heritage lines, Syria Historic stations and the old Baghdad and Hejaz railway junctions at Aleppo recall the region’s early rail age. Much is dormant, but the architecture and history remain evocative for rail enthusiasts.
Istanbul to Ankara high-speed, Turkey The flagship fast line whisks travellers between Turkey’s two largest cities in a few hours across the rolling Anatolian plateau. Comfortable and efficient, it is the modern backbone of Turkish rail and a scenic introduction to the interior.
Haifa to Jerusalem, Israel Israel’s compact network links the Mediterranean port of Haifa through Tel Aviv up to Jerusalem via a dramatic new high-speed tunnel-and-viaduct line. The final climb into the hills of Jerusalem is a striking piece of modern engineering.
Jaffa & coastal line, Israel The historic Jaffa railway heritage and the busy modern coastal route trace Israel’s Mediterranean shore between Nahariya, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Ashkelon. Frequent trains offer sea views and easy access to the country’s beach cities.
Dubai Metro, UAE The driverless elevated metro glides past the world’s tallest towers, the marina, and the desert fringe, offering a scenic and futuristic city ride. Its panoramic Red and Green lines double as a sightseeing route through the emirate’s skyline.