Haydarpasa on the Asian side of the Bosphorus was my gateway to Syria back in 2009.
It has been shut for since 2012, with trains eastwards departing from elsewhere in Istanbul. This meant the 2015 journey I undertook to Georgia started from the suburb of Pendik.
It really is a grand old station that was built in 1909, so I hope it reopens one day soon.
Why is it shut?
Was supposed to be rénovation plus building a new electrified line but never reopened. Guessing ran out of money. Rumours once of becoming hotel but all a bit of a mystery.
Shame.
My favourite railway station is Porto. Have you been there?
Sao Bento yes. A beauty inside. Gent in Belgium’s not bad either inside.