Gallipoli Day Tour from Istanbul: ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine & Lunch

Gallipoli day tour from Istanbul with ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine: the key facts

This group day trip takes you from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula and back in one day. After the drive west and lunch in Eceabat, a licensed guide leads you through the main First World War memorials: Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and the Turkish Memorial, telling the story of the 1915 campaign from both the Allied and the Ottoman side. Hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Istanbul, lunch and entrance fees are included.

It suits visitors from Australia and New Zealand, history readers and families with a personal link to the campaign who have only one day to spare. It is a long day, most of it spent on the road. The price is from $134 per person.

How long is the day, and how much of it is driving?

The FAQ says pick-up is at 06:30 and you are back at around 21:00, which is about fourteen and a half hours; the overview calls it "the 15-hour day", and the booking form shows start times from 08:00 to 14:00. Expect several hours on the road each way, with lunch in Eceabat as your first main stop and the guided visit in the afternoon. Ask us to confirm the pick-up time for your hotel in writing after you book, and plan a light evening.

Which memorials and cemeteries are on the route?

The overview names Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair and the Turkish Memorial. Lone Pine is central to how Australia remembers the campaign, Chunuk Bair recalls New Zealand's fight for the high ground, and the Turkish Memorial honours the Ottoman defenders. The page does not include Cape Helles in the south. If you are looking for a specific grave, send us the name and cemetery before the tour so the guide can check whether it fits the route. See our Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site guide.

Is it worth doing Gallipoli in one day?

It is a fair choice if your time in Turkey is short, and you see the main ANZAC sites with a guide. The trade-off is the long drive, which leaves only the afternoon on the peninsula. If you want more time, the 1-night Gallipoli tour from Istanbul ends in Canakkale, and the 2-day Gallipoli and Troy tour adds Troy and brings you back to Istanbul. Our guide to Gallipoli tours from Istanbul compares day trips and overnight options.

Group or private: which Gallipoli day trip is right for us?

This is the group version at the lowest price. With the private Gallipoli day tour from Istanbul you have your own guide and vehicle, so you can choose which cemeteries to spend more time at. The FAQ compares this tour with a private Gallipoli and Troy tour priced in euros, saying it is "€332 more than this tour", a figure that does not match the $134 shown here; go by the price we confirm in writing. All options are on our Gallipoli tours page.

What should we wear and bring?

You get in and out of the vehicle at each stop and walk short distances on paths, grass and slopes between cemeteries and trenches. There is little shade on the ridges, so bring a hat, sun cream and water in warm months, and a warm, wind-proof layer in cooler ones. Comfortable shoes are important. These are war graves, so dress plainly and keep voices low. Bring some Turkish lira for drinks at lunch, which are not included, and for snacks on the road.

Can we go on Anzac Day, 25 April?

You can ask, but the normal program may not run as usual. Australian government guidance says Turkish authorities set temporary restrictions on 24 and 25 April that can block access to cemeteries and memorials in the ANZAC and Helles sectors, and private vehicles cannot park near the Anzac Commemorative Site. If you want to attend the dawn service, tell us before booking so we can explain what is possible for those dates. Our Gallipoli destination page has more on planning a visit.

Can we add Troy?

Not on the same day with this tour. Troy is on the other side of the Dardanelles, and this one-day program covers the battlefields only. You can book the Troy day tour from Istanbul on another day, or choose the 2-day Gallipoli and Troy tour, which spends a night in Canakkale and visits Troy on the second day. If you are continuing south along the Aegean coast after Gallipoli, tell us and we will suggest a route.

How do we book the Gallipoli day tour?

Choose your date and the number of guests in the booking form on this page, or write to us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. Tell us your Istanbul hotel so we can confirm that it is inside the central pick-up area and give you the exact pick-up time. If you have a family connection to the campaign, mention the name and unit. We send the pick-up time, the route and the final price in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours holds TÜRSAB licence A-15751.