Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Bodrum Tour: 3 Days with Flight
Overview
Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Bodrum Tour: 3 Days with Flight
In three days this tour takes you from the legendary city of Troy to the ruins of Ephesus, the natural white terraces of Pamukkale and the seaside town of Bodrum. It mixes ancient history, natural scenery and some time by the sea.
Day one is a coach journey to Troy and on to Kusadasi. Day two covers Ephesus in the morning and Pamukkale with Hierapolis in the afternoon. On day three you drive to Bodrum for its castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina, then fly back to Istanbul.
Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included. International flights, lunches, dinners and optional activities are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Troy & Drive to Kusadasi
Today we collect you from your hotel and you board the bus for a scenic drive to Troy. The tour usually starts at around 09:00.
Today you will see:
- Troy – walk through the ruins of the ancient city told of in Homer's Iliad, and see the famous wooden horse.
From Troy you continue to Kusadasi. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Day 2 – Ephesus & Pamukkale
Today is all about Ephesus, a trip back through many centuries of history.
The ruins here belong to one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world, and walking its marble streets is a highlight of any visit to Turkey.
What you will see:
- Library of Celsus – its grand facade is one of the best-known sights in Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian – built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, it still has well-kept columns and finely carved reliefs.
- Terrace Houses (optional) – the luxurious homes where the wealthy families of Ephesus once lived.
- Hercules Gate – a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre – it once held up to 25,000 spectators and is still used for performances today.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios – hear about the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what is left of his temple.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes – ancient markers that showed the way and marked boundaries in the city.
- Artemission – the site of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the ancient world's Seven Wonders.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike – a detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan – the well-preserved remains of a monumental fountain built for Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional) – the tour ends at the house which many believe was the Virgin Mary's final resting place.
In the afternoon you travel to Pamukkale to see its white terraces, formed by calcium deposits, and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 3 – Bodrum Castle & Marina, Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast you leave Pamukkale and drive to Bodrum, a journey of about 3 hours.
Today you will see:
- Bodrum Castle – a medieval castle with superb views over the harbour.
- Mausoleum of Halicarnassus – walk among the remains of this tomb, counted among the ancient world's Seven Wonders.
- Bodrum Marina – time to relax at the lively marina, do some shopping or have a coffee at a waterfront cafe.
After the tour you are taken to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Our representative then takes you to the airport for your flight home, or to your hotel if you are staying on. This marks the end of our services.
Extra nights can be added if you would like to stay longer.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Add one more day to the tour: $115
- Entry to the Terrace Houses in Ephesus: $25
- Onward transfer to Fethiye: $165
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Accommodations with breakfast
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓All flights in the itinerary
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓Admission Fees to enter sights (Except optionals)
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
- ✕Dinner and lunch
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities during free time
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Travel guides
Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum in 3 days: the key facts
This 3-day, 2-night group package runs by road down the Aegean side of Turkey and ends with a single flight home. Day 1 is a coach journey to Troy and on to Kusadasi. Day 2 covers Ephesus in the morning and Pamukkale with Hierapolis in the afternoon, with the night in Pamukkale. On Day 3 you drive about three hours to Bodrum for the castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina, then fly back to Istanbul.
It suits travellers who want four well-known names in one short trip and are happy to spend a good part of it in a vehicle. The price is from $910 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Troy – Kusadasi – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Bodrum – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour by coach, one flight |
| Start / end | Hotel pick-up for the coach to Troy / flight from Bodrum to Istanbul on Day 3 |
| Included | 2 nights with breakfast, professional guide, the flight in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees (except optional ones) |
| Extra | International flights, lunch and dinner, Ephesus Terrace Houses ($25), House of the Virgin Mary, one extra day ($115), transfer to Fethiye ($165) |
Where and when does Day 1 start?
Confirm this in writing. Day 1 says we collect you "from your hotel" and you board the bus for the drive to Troy, and that "the tour usually starts at around 09:00". The page does not say which city the hotel is in, or what time the pick-up is. If you are staying in Istanbul, the drive to Troy takes several hours, so the pick-up will be well before 09:00. Ask for the exact pick-up time and place for your hotel.
What do we see at Troy?
At Troy you walk through the ruins of the city told of in Homer's Iliad and see the wooden horse at the site. The page lists no other Troy stops and no Gallipoli visit. After Troy you continue by road to Kusadasi, check in and have a free evening. Our Troy destination guide has more on the site and its history.
How long are the drives?
Most of this trip is on the road. Day 1 is the drive to Troy and then the long leg down to Kusadasi. On Day 2 you go from Kusadasi to Ephesus and then on to Pamukkale. Day 3 starts with the drive from Pamukkale to Bodrum, which the page puts at about 3 hours, and ends at the airport. The vehicles are air-conditioned. Bring water, snacks and something to do on the longer stretches.
What is included at Ephesus, and what costs extra?
The Ephesus tour covers the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate and the Grand Theatre. It also takes in the Fountain of Trajan, the relief of Nike and the site of the Temple of Artemis. Two stops are optional. The Terrace Houses cost $25 extra. The House of the Virgin Mary can end the tour, but the page gives no ticket price for it, so ask. Other entrance fees in the plan are included.
What should we wear at Pamukkale and Ephesus?
At Pamukkale you walk the white terraces barefoot, so carry a bag for your shoes and wear clothes you can roll up. Ephesus has worn marble streets with little shade, so wear shoes with grip and bring a hat and water. If you visit the House of the Virgin Mary, cover your shoulders and knees. Bodrum Castle has steps and uneven stone, so keep the walking shoes on for Day 3.
Which hotels do we stay in?
There are two nights: one in Kusadasi and one in Pamukkale, both with breakfast. The page does not name the hotels or give a star rating. Ask for both names in your written plan. Lunch and dinner are not included, so budget for three lunches and two dinners. Since you check out on Day 2 and Day 3, keep your luggage light and easy to carry. For the Kusadasi area, see Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus.
What happens in Bodrum and after?
Day 3 covers Bodrum Castle, the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and time at the marina. Then you go to the airport for the flight to Istanbul, and the fare is included. The page gives no flight time. In Istanbul our representative takes you to the airport for your flight home or to your hotel. If you would rather stay on the coast, the extras list a transfer to Fethiye for $165 instead of the flight. Ask how that changes the price. See our Bodrum guide.
Can we add a day or choose a different version?
You can add one day to the tour for $115. The page does not say where that day goes, so ask. To compare, the Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale 3-day tour is also from $910 and leaves out Bodrum. The 3-day Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from Istanbul is from $796. With more time, the 5-day Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum and Antalya tour is from $1,595. See all multi-city packages.
How do I book this 3-day tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or send us a WhatsApp message. Tell us where you are staying, so we can give you the Day 1 pick-up time. We check the hotels and the Bodrum flight for your date. Then we send the plan in writing, with pick-up time, hotel names and flight time. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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