Antalya, Ephesus & Pamukkale 2-Day Tour from Istanbul by Air

Antalya, Ephesus and Pamukkale in 2 days from Istanbul: the key facts

This is a 2-day, 1-night express trip by air from Istanbul. On Day 1 you fly to Antalya at 07:15 and see Perge, the Aspendos theatre, the Kursunlu Waterfall, Kaleici old town and Hadrian's Gate. In the evening you fly to Izmir and sleep in Kusadasi. On Day 2 you walk through Ephesus in the morning, drive to Pamukkale and Hierapolis in the afternoon, and fly back to Istanbul from Denizli.

It suits travellers based in Istanbul who have only a weekend and want the south coast and the Aegean in one go. It means two very full days and three flights. The price is from $845 per person.

How do the three flights work?

The first flight leaves Istanbul for Antalya at 07:15 on Day 1. We collect you from your hotel very early, or you can meet the guide at the airport. After the Antalya sights you are taken back to Antalya airport for a flight to Izmir, and then driven to your hotel in Kusadasi. On the evening of Day 2 you fly from Denizli Airport to Istanbul. The page gives only the first flight time. Ask for the Antalya–Izmir and Denizli–Istanbul times in writing, because they decide how long you get at each site. All three fares are included.

What do we see in Antalya on Day 1?

The Antalya day covers five stops. Perge is a Roman city of streets and gates. The Aspendos theatre is one of the best-kept Roman theatres anywhere. The Kursunlu Waterfall is a quiet, green stop by the water. Then you walk the lanes of Kaleici old town and pass through Hadrian's Gate. There is no beach time and no boat trip in this plan. If you want more of the coast, see our Antalya destination guide, or add a day.

How tiring is Day 2?

Day 2 is the longest. The Ephesus tour takes in the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan and the site of the Temple of Artemis. The afternoon is the drive to Pamukkale, the white terraces and the Hierapolis ruins, then the transfer to Denizli Airport. That means a lot of walking on marble and stone, plus several hours in the vehicle, on one day. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water and a hat, especially from June to September.

Which optional extras are worth knowing about?

Two optional visits are not in the price. The Terrace Houses of Ephesus cost $25 extra and show the homes of the wealthy families of the city. The House of the Virgin Mary is listed as optional, and the page gives no price for it here. You can also add one more day to the tour for $115. Ask what that extra day contains before you choose it, since the page does not describe it.

Where do we stay, and what about meals?

The one night is in Kusadasi, with breakfast. The page does not name the hotel or give a star rating, so ask for it in your written plan. See Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus for the area. Lunch and dinner on both days are not included, so budget for two lunches and one dinner. There is no Istanbul hotel in the package. You need your own Istanbul hotel for the night before you leave and, if you are not flying home, for the night you get back.

What should we wear at Pamukkale?

At Pamukkale you take your shoes off to walk on the white terraces, so carry a small bag for them. Wear shorts or trousers you can roll up, since the terraces are wet underfoot. If you visit the House of the Virgin Mary, cover your shoulders and knees. For Ephesus and Perge, wear sturdy shoes with a good grip, because the old marble can be slippery.

What happens when we land in Istanbul?

The page says our representative meets you in Istanbul and helps with your transfer. You go either to the airport for your flight home or to your hotel, and the services end there. Ask us to confirm which one applies to you. If you plan to fly home the same night, leave plenty of time after the Denizli flight lands, because domestic delays happen. Extra nights can be arranged if you want to stay longer.

Are there similar trips to compare?

Yes. The Antalya and Ephesus 2-day tour is also from $845 and leaves out Pamukkale. The Ephesus and Pamukkale 2-day tour by flight is from $845 and leaves out Antalya, so it is less rushed. With one more day, the 3-day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya tour is from $1,315. If you want a slower pace with the same sites, ask us about adding the extra day for $115. You can find more in our multi-city packages.

How do I book this 2-day tour?

Choose your date and the number of guests in the booking form on this page, or send us a WhatsApp message. We check the three flights and the Kusadasi hotel for your date. Then we send the plan in writing, with all flight times, the hotel name, the pick-up time and what happens on arrival in Istanbul. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.