Türkiye has significantly expanded its high-speed rail network with the inauguration of a new 153-kilometer railway section connecting Çerkezköy, near Istanbul, to Kapıkule at the Bulgarian border. This development brings the country’s rail infrastructure closer to the European Union and forms the longest segment of the 229-kilometer Halkalı-Kapıkule line. The opening ceremony in Kırklareli province was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
This railway extension is expected to bolster Türkiye’s transport capabilities, enhance access to European markets, and support the nation’s export goals. President Erdoğan emphasized that the project aims to increase production, employment, trade, and tourism, marking a significant step in strengthening Türkiye’s connectivity with Europe.
With this expansion, the provinces of Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, and Edirne are now part of the high-speed rail network, raising the total number of provinces served to 14. Additionally, new stations have been constructed in Babaeski, Lüleburgaz, and Büyükkarıştıran, along with the refurbishment of stations in Kapıkule and Edirne.
The double-track line is designed for speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour, which will notably reduce travel times. Passenger journeys between Halkalı and Kapıkule, for instance, are expected to drop from four hours to approximately 1.5 hours, while freight transit times should decrease from 8.5 hours to 3.5 hours. This development is projected to boost annual passenger capacity from 600,000 to about three million, and freight capacity from 1.5 million to 9.5 million tonnes.
According to Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the railway will enhance transport links between Türkiye and the EU, supporting the Middle Corridor—a trade route that connects Asia and Europe. The project, jointly funded by Türkiye and the EU, forms part of the Trans-European Transport Network and is expected to improve connections between European markets and industrial hubs in Istanbul, Kocaeli, Tekirdağ, and the Thrace region.
Looking ahead, Türkiye plans further expansion of its railway infrastructure. The current network, which includes 13,919 kilometers of track with 7,274 kilometers electrified, is set to grow with an additional 4,858 kilometers under construction. The government aims for a total railway network of 28,590 kilometers by 2053, underscoring the strategic importance of rail investment in enhancing logistics and international trade connectivity between Europe and Asia.