Sirkeci Train Station — Local services in Fatih

Sirkeci Train Station is the first train station on the European Side, built in 1890 during the reign of Abdulhamid II.

The granite-covered building, designed by German Architect August Jachmund, is quite striking, especially with the clock towers at the entrance. Of course, architectural features do not end with clock towers.

With its rose window above the main entrance, Byzantine style walls, carved doors inspired by Seljuk architecture and horseshoe-shaped arched windows, Sirkeci Train Station is one of the architectural structures you should see in Istanbul.

Sirkeci Train Station, known as Müşir Hamdi Pasha Station when it was built, is the last stop of the Orient Express, or Oriental Express, which traveled between Paris and Istanbul in the late 19th century and inspired books...

The most iconic and imaginative train (the setting in many a book or film) is the Orient Express. In 1883, after a journey of 80 hours and 3,094 kilometers, the first train of this service arrives at Sirkeci Railway Station. This terminus was opened as early as 1872, but did not get its current European-Oriental appearance until 1890. This glorious train history will come to an end in 2009 when the Orient Express is discontinued after 126 years. Regular trains will continue to arrive at this terminal for another four years, but after 2013, when the train tunnel under the Bosphorus is ready, all trains will disappear underground. Today, the Istanbul Demiryolu Müzesi and the Orient-Express Restaurant are located in the old station. A nice modern-historical destination in the old center...

The female staff behind the international ticket window was as awful and unpleasant as one human could possibly be. Their IT system was down for 2 days so couldn’t reserve a berth to Sofia until yesterday. After many trips finally I was told no berths available for next three days. Reserved next available lower berth. As soon as she took my money and handed me the reservation ticket she disappeared without return deriving me any chance of asking questions. Best to avoid this ghastly place if you possibly can.

To continue if she cheated me on things like not a lower berth as...