Thanks to the efforts of the municipality, the Çankırı Confederation, the Northern Anatolia Development Agency, travel agencies affiliated with the Central Anatolia Regional Representative Council (TÜRSAB), and TCDD, under the coordination of the Çankırı Governorate, tourist train service has begun operating from Ankara to Çankırı. The Tourist Salt Express, a continuation of the train service established under the name "Pleasure Train" to Çankırı in 1934, began its first trip on May 18th, and its second on May 25th. So what do we know about this journey? Where should I buy a ticket, and what stops does the train pass through? Here's what you need to know...
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The 250-passenger train will operate daily on Saturdays only. Visitors will have the opportunity to see and explore the Taş Mesquite, a symbol of medicine and pharmacy; the Underground Salt City, a preserved site from the Hittite era; the Çankırı Museum, which houses 8-million-year-old fossils; the Çankırı Cultural Center, which transports visitors back in time; and the Ferit Akalın Radio and Communication Museum.
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Where can I buy tickets and how long does the train journey take?
The newly launched trains made their inaugural trip on May 18, and the second on May 25. The final two trains, initially announced as four tours, will take tourists on a very special route to Çankırı on June 1 and 8. Tickets for the trains, which will run every Saturday, are available at travel agencies. The train journey from Ankara to Çankırı takes approximately three hours.
The rules set by most travel agencies regarding rail travel are as follows:
If you cancel your booking 7 days before the train's departure, you may receive a refund or change your travel date.
The tour offered by most travel agencies includes transportation, guide services, hotel accommodation and the overall tour program.
Service fees will not be refunded to visitors who do not use the excursion services offered by travel agencies.
Many travel agencies offer free admission to private museums. However, you should still check the services offered by your agency.
The above rules are generally established by most travel agencies. Rules and privileges may vary depending on the travel services received from the travel agency.
An interview with Çankırı Mayor İsmail Hakkı Esen about the railway connection attracted a lot of attention.
In an interview with AA correspondent, Çankırı Mayor İsmail Hakki Esen said the following:
«This is very important from a tourism perspective. Our salt cave will be the driving force behind this work, and we will have the opportunity to introduce Çankırı to various destinations. This is of great importance in terms of Çankırı’s visibility. We believe it will also have a significant impact in terms of its contribution to Çankırı’s economy. In this regard, we held a meeting and consulted with our merchants who produce local products, especially our restaurants that sell products with geographical indications, our restaurants, and women who make products with their own hands, so that they can all represent our entire city in the best possible way. We wanted to welcome tourism ambassadors to Çankırı in the best possible way. I hope that our young people, citizens boarding a train for the first time, and our guests coming from Ankara will enjoy it. There are many places to visit and see. We also have very pleasant flavors to try. I hope they will be satisfied. The implementation of this train service after 90 years makes us very happy. I hope that in the future, large crowds of people, both local and foreign, will come to our city and have the opportunity to see the beauty of our Çankırı.».
Thanks to the tourist salt express, Çankırı can become a tourist hub
The train service announcements, published on numerous news sites and social media, are considered highly significant for Çankırı. The first two trips, on May 18 and 25, attracted considerable attention, and visitors enjoyed exploring and touring Çankırı. With the addition of the other two trips on June 1 and 8, Çankırı will attract a total of 1,000 visitors. This will make Çankırı a hub for daily tourism.
Furthermore, the tourist salt express has already begun to make a significant contribution to supporting merchants. Visitors arriving in Çankırı by train purchased souvenirs from merchants, such as salt, cutlery, and other tableware. Thus, the organized train service not only transformed Çankırı into a day-tourism destination but also provided significant support to merchants.
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