Sirkeci Station: Discover Istanbul's Orient Express Station
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I’d like to think that if train stations could talk, Sirkeci Station would have some of the most incredible tales to tell.
For over a century, this Istanbul railway station welcomed an extraordinary cast of travelers: diplomats, journalists, wide-eyed adventurers, smugglers, kings, and more than a few spies.
But Sirkeci train station wasn’t just any old transit point - it was the grand terminal station of the legendary Orient Express, where passengers from Paris stepped straight into the magic of Istanbul.
Even today, echoes of this golden age of travel linger at Sirkeci Istanbul station. Its beautiful stained glass windows, high ceilings and elegant European Orientalist design are a reminder of an era when train stations were built with grandeur. If only they still made them like this!
The gorgeous waiting hall at the Sirkeci Orient Express Station Istanbul
But Sirkeci is more than just nostalgia - it’s alive with daily commuters, wandering tourists, and the occasional cat lounging in the sun.
One of Istanbul’s most underrated gems, this historic station often gets overlooked, but if you have a little time to spare on your Istanbul itinerary, we promise it’s worth a visit.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sirkeci Station - what to see, what to do, and why it remains one of the city's most fascinating stops.
Sirkeci Station - Where East Met West on the Rails
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The History of Sirkeci Station
Completed in 1890 by the Oriental Railway Company, Sirkeci Station (also known as Sirkeci Tren Garı or Istanbul Gar) was built to welcome travelers arriving into the city by rail, most famously on the Orient Express.
This elegant station was part of an ambitious Ottoman project to connect Europe with Istanbul by rail, a vision that took shape in the wake of the Crimean War.
To make way for the railway, the tracks were laid right along the shoreline of the Sea of Marmara, and with special permission from Sultan Abdulaziz, they even passed through the gardens of Topkapı Palace! (Now that’s what I call a royal thumbs up!)
Back in the day you could get off the train and choose to dine in one of the three spacious station restaurants, unwind in a lively beer garden or take in the view from terraces that led down to the sea.
Sadly, a busy road has stolen that waterfront charm but one piece of that past remains - the Orient Express Restaurant still serves visitors on the platform side of the station.
The Prussian architect August Jasmund was tasked with designing the station and ensuring that it was grand enough to match the prestige of the Orient Express. We’d say he did a great job!
The stunning stained glass windows at Sirkeci Station.
Sirkeci Istanbul train station was also built to reflect the city’s East-meets-West spirit. Its pointed horseshoe arched windows, ornate tiles, stained glass, and grand entrance were inspired by the Seljuk architectural style.
Meanwhile the marble facades and granite bricks were sourced from Marseille and the heating was provided by large Austrian gas stoves. At night, the station glowed under the light of 300 gas lamps - a sight straight out of a Victorian novel.
The Orient Express to Istanbul: A Train Like No Other
The modern-day Venice Simplon Orient Express owned by Belmond.
Launched in 1883 by the Belgian Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL), the Orient Express to Istanbul wasn’t just any old train.
Covering 3,094 km in 80 hours, it took passengers on the ride of a lifetime, gliding through Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest before rolling into Istanbul (then Constantinople) in style.
The first journey of the Orient Express from Paris to Vienna took place on June 5, 1883. For a few months, Vienna was the final stop, but on October 4, 1883, the first true Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul set off, marking the beginning of an era.
In its early years, the route involved ferry crossings and train changes, but by June 1889, the first direct train to Istanbul departed from Paris’ Gare de l'Est.
CIWL’s owner, George Nagelmackers, envisioned the Orient Express as a five-star hotel on wheels: think silk sheets, crystal chandeliers, polished mahogany panelling and velvet curtains.
There was also gourmet dining - the rich and famous sipped champagne, dined on caviar and oysters, and enjoyed live music.
Nagelmackers’ company even built the art nouveau style Pera Palace Hotel, where passengers could stay after their journey. It was the first hotel in Turkey with hot running water and an electric lift.
But the Orient Express wasn’t just about luxury - it was a hotbed of spies, royalty, and scandal. King Ferdinand of Bulgaria locked himself in a bathroom, terrified of assassins, while secret agents like Mata Hari and Robert Baden-Powell used the train for undercover missions.
The various routes of the Orient Express. (Orient-Express Historic Routes (en)" by MissMJ is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.)
Our favourite story? French President Paul Deschanel falling out of a train window - only to be found the next day wandering around in a field in his pyjamas.
By the 1930s, the Orient Express was at its peak, running multiple routes. However, air travel eventually stole its thunder.
The final train to Istanbul Sirkeci railway station ran in May 1977, ending nearly a century of iconic travel. The route was gradually shortened, first to Bucharest (1991), then Budapest (2001), and finally just between Strasbourg and Vienna (2007).
On December 10, 2009, the last real Orient Express service vanished from European railway timetables. The golden era of train travel had officially come to an end.
Today the only version of the Orient Express you’ll find is the private luxury Venice-Simplon Orient Express operated by Belmond, which features restored CIWL carriages from the 1920s and 1930s.
It still operates across Europe and offers the iconic Paris to Istanbul route once a year, in late August/early September.
Tickets range from £4275 to Venice to an eye-watering £17,500 to Istanbul . A girl can dream.
Agatha Christie and Murder on the Orient Express
The Orient Express train to Istanbul gained even more fame thanks to Agatha Christie’s legendary novel, Murder on the Orient Express. But did you know her iconic whodunit was inspired by real events?
In 1929, the Orient Express was caught in a snowstorm near Çerkezköy and became stuck for five days, over 100 km from Istanbul. Imagine being trapped on a luxury train with dwindling supplies and nowhere to go? I think I’d commit a murder…
Just five months earlier, Christie had taken her first solo journey on the train to Baghdad, calling it the “train of her dreams”.
A devoted fan of the Orient Express, Christie often brought her typewriter along for the ride, and spent her time jotting down every tiny detail of the trains - from door handles and light switches to the exact layout of the carriages.
Her dedication paid off, bringing Murder on the Orient Express to life with uncanny detail.
Image credit: Jules Chéret, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
She even had her own brush with railway misfortune in 1931, when flooded tracks left her stranded for two days - yet more inspiration for her writing.
Legend has it that Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express at Istanbul’s Pera Palace Hotel, where she was a frequent guest.
Today, you can stay in Room 411, now the Agatha Christie Room, complete with antique furniture, a replica typewriter, and enough murder mystery vibes to make you double-check the locks.
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, check out this fantastic walking tour that retraces the steps of the legendary writer and other literary icons who found inspiration in Istanbul’s vibrant streets during the early 20th century.
Waiting in Style: Sirkeci’s Historic Waiting Room and Terminal Hall
The smaller waiting room at Sirkeci Station.
Don’t miss the station’s charming waiting room, with its polished curved wooden bench, pink wooden beams, and colourful stained glass windows.
Then, step into the majestic terminal hall, reminiscent of a grand church, filled with more stained glass windows and intricately carved wooden panelling.
The stunning terminal waiting hall at Sirkeci Station
This hall once hosted whirling dervish ceremonies, but they were relocated when Sirkeci Station underwent renovations. Still, the space retains an air of history and quiet grandeur, making it well worth a visit.
The station is also beautiful from the outside, with its blush paint and red brick facade.
So pretty!
Tracks Through Time: Istanbul Sirkeci Station Railway Museum
The Sirkeci Station Railway Museum
Right next to the waiting room, you’ll find the small but fascinating TCDD State Railway Museum - and best of all, it’s completely free to enter!
Inside, you’ll discover a treasure trove of railway history: vintage railway staff hats and pin badges, original suitcases with Orient Express luggage tags, old train signs, and even a reconstructed dining area from the legendary train.
There’s also crockery and cutlery from the luxury service, antique station clocks, and more.
You can even climb into the driver’s cab and pretend to drive a train! (Yes we are children).
If you visit, be sure to download the free audio guide, as most of the signs are in Turkish. Sirkeci station train museum is small but for train lovers and history buffs, it’s definitely worth a stop.
Dinner with a Side of Nostalgia: The Orient Express Restaurant Istanbul
Old-world glamour at the Orient Express Restaurant.
Feeling peckish? Step into history at the Sirkeci train station Orient Express Restaurant.
Once known as the Gar Restaurant, this was the place to see and be seen in the 1950s and ’60s, drawing celebrities, writers, diplomats, and journalists alike.
In 1995, it was revamped and renamed but kept its old-world glamour with high ceilings, carved wooden beams, and stunning stained glass windows, just like the rest of the Sirkeci Ottoman style train station.
Inside, the walls tell stories of the past, lined with black-and-white photos of Orient Express passengers (including Agatha Christie), scenes from the 1974 Murder on the Orient Express film, and vintage railway posters.
The menu sticks to traditional Turkish fare. If you’re not hungry, grab a çay or a kahve and enjoy the atmosphere at the outdoor seating area near the platform - a perfect summer spot.
For something more low-key, check out the tiny teahouse next to the waiting room at the front of the station.
No frills, just patterned tablecloths, small wooden stools, and a steady stream of locals chatting over steaming glasses of tea. It’s the ultimate people-watching spot.
The tea house at Sirkeci train station
Sirkeci Train Station Today: Where History Meets the Daily Commute
The international ticket window at Sirkeci station.
Sirkeci is still a lively transport hub, seamlessly connecting travelers across Istanbul.
The Marmaray line, which links the city's European and Asian sides, stops at Sirkeci metro station, making it a key transit point. The newly launched T6 tram line to Kazlıçeşme also departs from here.
Finally, the T1 Sirkeci tram station which takes you to Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, or Eminönü is right outside.
If you’re looking to travel around Turkey or beyond, Sirkeci is also the place to buy local and international train tickets.
You can purchase tickets here for the wonderful Istanbul to Sofia Express, a year-round sleeper train to Bulgaria, or even book a journey all the way to Bucharest from June to October!
And we’ve reached the final stop!
If you have time on your Istanbul itinerary, definitely check out the Ottoman Sirkeci train station - it’s a fascinating time warp and one of our top off-beat attractions.
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