Hattusa Day Trip from Istanbul by Flight: Private Hittite Capital Tour

Hattusa day trip from Istanbul by flight: the key facts

This is a one-day trip from Istanbul to Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite empire in the Bronze Age. You take a morning flight to Ankara, then travel by private vehicle to the site, where a guide who specialises in Hittite history takes you through the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, the city walls and the Great Temple. After that come the rock sanctuary of Yazilikaya, with its carved processions of gods, and the Bogazkale Museum. You fly back to Istanbul in the evening.

It suits travellers with a real interest in ancient history who are based in Istanbul and want to see a site most visitors to Turkey never reach. It is a long day, from 04:30 to about 22:00. The price is from $599 per person.

Is this tour private or a group tour?

The page is not consistent on this point. The title calls it a private Hittite capital tour, and the inclusions list private ground transportation in the Hattusa region. The Tour Type line on the same page says "Group Tour", and the FAQ says it runs daily with no minimum group size. Before you book, ask us whether your date will be private for your party or shared with other travellers, and have the answer written into your confirmation. This also affects how flexible the timing at the sites can be.

How does the day run?

The page gives the start and end times and the order of visits rather than a full timetable. The day begins at 04:30 with the transfer to the airport in Istanbul for the morning flight to Ankara. From Ankara airport you drive to Hattusa, which is a long road transfer each way, so a good part of the day is spent in the vehicle. At the site you visit Hattusa Ancient City with the Lion Gate, King's Gate and Great Temple, then Yazilikaya, and finally the Bogazkale Museum. Lunch is included during the tour. You return to Ankara for the evening flight and are back in Istanbul around 22:00. Flight times are confirmed with your booking.

How hard is the walking at Hattusa?

Hattusa is a large, hilly site, and the walls and gates are spread out. Private ground transport is included in the region, but you still walk on uneven ground, slopes and loose stone at each stop. Yazilikaya is a shorter walk among rock chambers. Wear walking shoes with a firm sole, and bring a hat and water: the site is open to sun and wind and has little shade. Anyone with limited mobility should tell us before booking so we can discuss what is realistic.

What is the best time of year to go?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a long outdoor day in central Anatolia. Summer days are long, which helps with the schedule, but the walking at Hattusa is in full sun. Winter can bring cold and short daylight, and weather may affect the road transfer. Whatever the season, dress in layers, because the early morning start and the evening return are cooler than midday at the site. If you are flexible on dates, ask us which weeks we suggest.

What do we need to bring for the flights?

Your passport, which is checked as photo ID at the airport. The flight tickets include a 15 kg checked bag and an 8 kg cabin bag, but on a day trip a small backpack is enough. Pack sunscreen, a hat, water and a light jacket. Travel insurance is not included, so make sure your own policy covers domestic flights and day excursions. Note that the booking form shows start times from 08:00 to 14:00, which does not match the 04:30 start in the FAQ; the pick-up time in our written confirmation is the one to follow.

Can we stay a night instead, or combine it with Ankara?

Yes, ask us. A night in Ankara would let you add the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which holds many of the finds from Hittite sites, or Anitkabir. Our Ankara destination page and Ankara tours list the options. If you are already in Cappadocia, the Hattusa and Yazilikaya tour from Cappadocia avoids the flights altogether. For other long history days from Istanbul, compare the Gobeklitepe day tour from Istanbul and the Konya day tour from Istanbul.

Why does the FAQ quote prices in euros?

The booking form shows "from $599 per person", which is the price for this trip. One FAQ answer compares it with a city tour in Istanbul using euro prices, and the difference it states does not match the $599 figure. Use the booking form price, and check the total in your written confirmation before you pay.

How do we book this tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your date, the names exactly as in your passports and your Istanbul hotel. Because flights are issued in your names, we first send you the plan in writing: flight times, pick-up time, whether the day is private or shared, what is included and the total price. Check everything, ask about anything unclear, and pay only once you are happy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TÜRSAB (A-15751).