The 1500-kilometer journey from Istanbul to Kars near the Armenian border takes almost two days. It’s certainly a tale of two very different cities. Kars is located within a landscape of raw beauty, an area where poverty is rife. The trains are obsolete and often face obstacles in the shape of stray animals and falling rocks. The better-off can take the faster bus option or a plane - but for some the train trip is an unbeatable bargain at at 25 euros.