The tourist train tour of Western Black Sea is starting

A new tourist train line will soon be in service for those who want to explore the natural and cultural riches of the Western Black Sea region. Developed under the leadership of the Western Black Sea Development Agency (BAKKA), this project includes a 484 km route covering the Ankara-Çankırı-Karabük-Zonguldak route, aiming to introduce visitors to the region's history, industrial heritage, and natural beauty. Launched in 2017 with the concept of the 'Railway to Coal,' the project is coming to life. Train services will begin in April 2024, offering passengers the comfortable travel experience of the Special Touristic Karaelmas Train. In order to implement the tourist train services, a consultation meeting was held on February 20, 2024, Tuesday, under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with the participation of the Governors of Zonguldak, Karabük, and Çankırı, Members of Parliament from the region, representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Secretaries of the Western Black Sea Development Agency and the Northern Anatolia Development Agency, and tourism actors from institutions and organizations in the provinces and districts along the route. According to the decisions taken at the meeting, the Special Touristic Karaelmas Train to be used for the scheduled trips will consist of 3 Pullman cars, 1 sleeper car (230 people), and 1 dining car, serving separate tourist groups in both directions. It is planned to operate the tourist train services once a week, between Friday and Sunday, with the first trip scheduled to start on April 12, 2024. A detailed study will be conducted by the technical team for train schedules and stops, and the selected visiting locations will be announced to the public as soon as possible.

The first trip is planned for April 12, 2024, and the stops and places to visit along the route will be determined by a technical team. This route will start from the Kalecik region of Ankara and will cover important tourist spots such as the Tuz Caves and museums in Çankırı, the historic district of Safranbolu in Karabük, and the Gökgöl Cave in Zonguldak.

To promote the project and ensure its successful execution, an informational tour will be organized on March 8-9, 2024, inviting influencers, key figures, and members of the press. Additionally, various media and promotional campaigns will be conducted to introduce the region and support train tourism.

The project will make a significant contribution to the tourism diversity of the Western Black Sea region and boost the region's visibility, providing significant momentum to the development of train tourism as a new form of tourism. It is expected that the train route will offer an unforgettable experience for visitors to the region and introduce the natural and cultural richness of the Western Black Sea to a wider audience.