Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus & Antalya Tour: 6 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus and Antalya in 6 days: the key facts

This group package follows the ancient sites down Turkey's west coast and ends on the Mediterranean, in 6 days and 5 nights. After a guided day in old Istanbul, you travel by road on Day 3 to Troy and Pergamon and on to a 5-star hotel in Kusadasi. Day 4 is spent at Ephesus before a flight to Antalya. On Day 5 you see Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls, then fly back to Istanbul for the last night.

It suits travellers who care most about archaeology and want Troy and Pergamon as well as Ephesus, with a short look at Antalya at the end. The price is from $2,140 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 does the road day to Troy and Pergamon work?

Day 3 is the longest day of the trip, so ask for its timings in writing. You check out of your Istanbul hotel and board the bus for Troy. The page says "the tour usually gets going at about 09:00", but it does not say whether that is the departure from Istanbul or the start of the Troy visit. It also gives no drive times. After Troy's walls, gates and the Trojan Horse replica, you head south to the Pergamon Acropolis for the Temple of Athena, the Altar of Zeus and the theatre. You then continue to Kusadasi. Expect to arrive in the evening.

How do the domestic flights work?

There are two flights, and both are included. The first is on Day 4, after the Ephesus tour, when you transfer to the airport and fly to Antalya. The page does not name the airport, but Izmir is the nearest one to Ephesus. The second is on Day 5, from Antalya back to Istanbul, after the old town tour. The rest of that day is free. The page gives no flight times or baggage rules. Ask for both in your written plan, because the Day 4 flight decides how much time you get at Ephesus.

Which hotels are used?

The only hotel standard given on the page is the 5-star hotel in Kusadasi on Day 3. For the other nights it says only "accommodations with breakfast". These are Istanbul on Days 1 and 2, Antalya on Day 4 and Istanbul again on Day 5. Ask for all hotel names and categories with your written plan, so you can check them before you pay. If you can, use the same Istanbul hotel at both ends and leave spare luggage there. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide explains the Kusadasi base.

What does the Istanbul day include?

Day 2 is a full walking day that starts at your hotel at 09:30. The Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome with the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain, and the Grand Bazaar are on the plan. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional, so their tickets may not be in the price. Ask which you would pay for yourself. There is no flight that evening. You are driven back to your hotel, which makes this one of the more relaxed Istanbul days among our packages.

What should we wear and bring?

For the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. You remove your shoes inside. Our what to wear in Istanbul guide has more. Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus are open sites with uneven stone paths and little shade. Wear proper walking shoes, a hat and sun cream, and carry water, especially on the long Day 3. In Antalya, the old town lanes of Kaleiçi are cobbled, and the Duden Waterfalls park is an easy walk.

Which tickets and meals are included?

Entrance fees are included for the sights on the plan, except those marked optional. The optional ones are Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus. Troy, Pergamon and the main Ephesus site are not marked optional. Ask us to confirm that their tickets are covered. Breakfast is included every morning. Lunch and dinner are not included on any day, so budget for a roadside lunch on Day 3 and meals near the airports.

Is the balloon flight included, and can we stay longer in Antalya?

The balloon is not included and does not fit this route. The page lists a Cappadocia balloon flight at $310, but you never go to Cappadocia. The extras that fit are an extra Istanbul hotel night at $65, before or after the tour, and a private upgrade at $300 per person, with your own guide and vehicle. A private upgrade also gives you more control over the long Day 3. You get only one night in Antalya. If you want beach time, ask us to quote an extra night there before the flight to Istanbul.

Are there similar packages to compare?

Yes. The 4-day Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus and Antalya tour from $1,455 is a shorter version. The 5-day Istanbul, Troy and Ephesus tour from $1,595 stays on the Aegean side. You can also browse all multi-city packages.

How do I book this 6-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 the hotels and both flights for your dates. Then we send you the full plan in writing, with the Day 3 departure and drive times, flight times, hotel names 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, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.