The Two Largest Cities by Night Train

Bunks on the Anadolu Express

Since the girls are here, we wanted to take them to Istanbul.  We’ve heard numerous people tell us about the night train and what a great deal it was, 60 TL. each way; getting into the city in the morning, so you don’t have to pay for another night’s hotel or waste your daytime getting there.  We decided to do it and booked tickets direct from the train station about a week before we were to leave.  We were a little shocked that the cost was only 30 Tl., but figured that our mid-week tickets were making up the difference.
When we arrived at the station, we realized there were actually two options.  One is the Anadolu Express, which we had booked, and the other the Ankara Express.  The Anadolu costs half as much because you share your cabin with three other people, instead of just one.  Also the Ankara has a small refrigerator that offers free snacks for the ride as well as your own sink for freshening up.  I’m not sure, but I’m willing to bet the Ankara train has much cleaner bathrooms on it, too.
Our train was supposed to go out of track 2, according to the electronic signs, but actually went out of track 3.  Good ol’ Turkish directions…However, it did leave on time.  We found our cabin and waited for the train to pull out so the car captain could give us our bedding, and we could call it a night.
This all transpired within the first half hour and we were blissfully sleeping by 10:30.  We were woken up a few times in the night, once by a cat…who knows what that meant, but for the most part we slept until the morning when we had to pack up our things and get off.  I definitely would recommend this mode of transport at least one way if traveling between Istanbul and Ankara.  For a family, or if you are traveling with a group, the Anadolu is just fine, but if you want a few more amenities and fewer traveling companions, go with the Ankara.
How to get to the train stations:
In Ankara, the train leaves from the main station or “Gar”.  Very easy to get to, and of course every taxi driver knows the way.  If you are downtown, say in Kizilay, it will cost about 10 tl. to get there. 
In Istanbul, the train leaves from Haydirpasa.  This is a bit trickier.  If you are starting your trip here, you need to take the ferry (1.50 tl) from Eminonu to Haydirpasa (Kadakoy).  The train station does have wi-fi and a restaurant for your waiting pleasure.  The great thing is the ferry docks at the train station so either way, you are very close to your end destination, which is actually much easier than taking a bus.