Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Bodrum Tour: 5 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum in 5 days: the key facts

This group package links Istanbul with the Aegean coast in 5 days and 4 nights, using two domestic flights. After a guided walk through old Istanbul on Day 2, you fly to Izmir and sleep in Kusadasi. Day 3 covers Ephesus in the morning and the white terraces of Pamukkale with Hierapolis in the afternoon. On Day 4 you drive to Bodrum for the castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina. You fly back to Istanbul that evening, and Day 5 is your departure transfer.

It suits first-time visitors who want Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale with a short look at a seaside town, and who are happy to move hotels most nights. The price is from $1,795 per person. Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicles, all flights in the itinerary and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

How do the two domestic flights work?

Both flights are included. The first leaves Istanbul for Izmir on Day 2, after the old city tour. On arrival you are driven to your hotel in Kusadasi, near Ephesus. The second leaves Bodrum for Istanbul on Day 4, after the Bodrum visit, and you spend that night in Istanbul. The page gives no flight times or baggage allowance. Ask for both in your written plan, because the Day 2 flight decides how much of Istanbul you actually see. If you are flying in from abroad, land on Day 1 as planned, because the tour starts with the airport pick-up.

Is Day 2 a full Istanbul day if we fly the same evening?

Check this in writing. Day 2 is described as a full day on foot: the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. The airport transfer for Izmir follows straight after. The start time is also unclear. Day 1 says the guide meets you at 09:30, while Day 2 says 09:00. Be ready at 09:00 and pack the night before, as you check out that morning. If the old city matters most to you, ask about adding an Istanbul night before the tour for $65.

How long are Day 3 and Day 4?

Day 3 is the busiest. You walk through Ephesus in the morning, past the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre. Then you travel on to Pamukkale for the afternoon and sleep there. The page does not give that drive time, so ask. On Day 4 the drive from Pamukkale to Bodrum takes about 3 hours, according to the page. After that come Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum and the marina, then the evening flight to Istanbul. Expect several hours on foot each day, mostly on stone and marble.

Which hotels are used?

The page says "accommodations with breakfast" but does not name the hotels or give a star rating. The four nights are spread over four places: Istanbul on Day 1, Kusadasi on Day 2, Pamukkale on Day 3 and Istanbul again on Day 4. That means a new hotel almost every night, so a small suitcase makes life easier. Ask for hotel names with your written plan. If you can, ask to use the same Istanbul hotel on both nights. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide explains that base.

What should we wear in the mosques and at Pamukkale?

For the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. You take your shoes off inside, so slip-on shoes help. See our what to wear in Istanbul guide. At Pamukkale, shoes are not allowed on the white terraces. You walk barefoot and carry your shoes in a bag, and the wet surface can be slippery in places. Sunglasses help, because the white rock is bright. Wear walking shoes and a hat for Ephesus, which has little shade.

Which tickets and meals are included?

Entrance fees are included except for the optional sights. In Istanbul, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are optional. At Ephesus, the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional. Ask which of these you would pay for yourself, and at what price, so you can decide before the trip. Breakfast is included at every hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included on any day, and that covers the long Ephesus–Pamukkale day too. Carry some cash for meals and any optional entries.

Is the balloon flight included, and what else can we add?

No. The page lists a Cappadocia hot air balloon flight at $310 as an extra, but this route does not go to Cappadocia, so it would mean extra days and flights. The extras that fit this trip are an extra Istanbul hotel night at $65, before or after the tour, and a private upgrade at $250, which gives you your own guide and vehicle. Many people would like longer at the coast. If that is you, ask us to quote one or two nights in Bodrum before the flight back. The flight date then changes, so the quote needs to be in writing.

Are there similar packages to compare?

Yes. The 4-day Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from $1,455 leaves out Bodrum. The 3-day Istanbul, Pamukkale and Bodrum tour from $1,110 is shorter. If you are already on the Aegean coast, the 2-day Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum tour costs from $845. Browse all multi-city packages for longer routes.

How do I book this 5-day tour?

Pick your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. We check flights and hotels for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing, with both flight times, hotel names, the confirmed Day 2 meeting time and which optional tickets you pay for. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.