Sirkeci railway station, also known as Istanbul railway station, is a significant railway terminal in Istanbul, Turkey. Located in the historic Sirkeci neighborhood, near the Golden Horn and in close proximity to Gülhane Park and the Topkapı Palace, this terminal holds a prominent position on the European side of the city. Together with Haydarpaşa Terminal on the Asian side, Sirkeci Terminal serves as one of Istanbul's principal intercity and commuter railway terminals.
Built in 1890 by the Oriental Railway, Sirkeci Terminal was originally designated as the eastern terminus of the renowned Orient Express. This legendary train operated between Paris and Istanbul from 1883 to 2009, and the terminal itself has become an iconic symbol of the city. However, since March 19, 2013, service to Sirkeci Terminal has been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway line between Kazlıçeşme and Halkalı for the new Marmaray commuter rail line.
In October 2013, a new underground station was opened to the public, allowing Marmaray trains to pass beneath the Bosphorus Strait. This new station connects to Sirkeci Terminal, enriching the city's transportation network. Sirkeci Terminal boasts a total of four platforms, with three located above ground and one below. Additionally, there are seven tracks, with five above ground and two underground.
Previously, commuter trains bound for Halkalı would depart from tracks 2, 3, and 4, while regional trains heading to Kapıkule, Edirne, and Uzunköprü, along with international trains traveling to Bucharest, Sofia, and Belgrade, would depart from tracks 1 and 5.
The history of Sirkeci Terminal dates back to the Ottoman era when the need for a railway connection between Europe and Istanbul was recognized after the Crimean War. Initial attempts to establish this connection through contracts with British and Belgian entrepreneurs faced obstacles due to inadequate investment capital. Eventually, on April 17, 1869, the concession for the "Rumeli Railroad" was awarded to Baron Maurice de Hirsch, a prominent figure in this endeavor.
