Turkish is the only official language. Foreign languages are rarely spoken throughout the country. Occasionally, German might be found, English and French preferrably in the West. Intermediate timings etc. are frequently not given. Timetables change irregularly and without prior notice to the public.
Many trains run every day of the week.
No lines other than Standard gauge are operational. New systems under construction in Adana and Bursa. Trains can be very crowded. For all main line express trains, especially during weekends and during the school holiday period July - September, reservations are recommended. For express services on the main routes, normally not more tickets are being sold than the local seat contingency of each served station allows.