Istanbul, Antalya, Ephesus & Trabzon Tour: 4 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Antalya, Ephesus and Trabzon in 4 days: the key facts

This 4-day, 3-night group tour visits four regions of Turkey and takes a flight at the end of every day. Day 1 is a walking tour of Istanbul's old city before an evening flight to Antalya. Day 2 covers Perge, Aspendos, the Kursunlu Waterfall and Kaleici, then a flight to Izmir and a night in Kusadasi. Day 3 is Ephesus and a flight to Trabzon on the Black Sea. Day 4 is Sumela Monastery and the Ataturk Pavilion, then a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who have very little time, want to see the Black Sea as well as the classical sites, and do not mind packing every morning. It is a fast trip, not a relaxing one. The price is from $1,860 per person.

How do the four flights work?

You fly Istanbul to Antalya on Day 1, Antalya to Izmir on Day 2, Izmir to Trabzon on Day 3 and Trabzon to Istanbul on Day 4. Each flight comes after that day's tour, so you go from sightseeing straight to the airport with your luggage in the vehicle. The page does not give flight times or say whether the Izmir to Trabzon leg is direct, so ask us to confirm the times and any connection for your dates in writing. Book your international flight home for a later day or a late slot, because the last domestic flight lands in Istanbul only after the Trabzon tour.

Which nights are included, and where do we sleep?

The three nights are Antalya (Day 1), Kusadasi (Day 2) and, by the day plan, Trabzon (Day 3), although the page does not name the Trabzon hotel night directly. There is no Istanbul night in the package, yet Day 1 starts with a 09:00 pick-up from your hotel, so you need your own Istanbul hotel the night before. Ask us to add it, or to add nights after the tour. Hotel names and categories are not stated on the page; we send them with your written plan. For Ephesus area hotels, see hotels in Kusadasi.

What does the Istanbul day include?

Day 1 is a full-day walking tour from 09:00 with the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar included. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional; the extras list shows a Hagia Sophia ticket at $40 and gives no price for Topkapi, so ask us. At the Blue Mosque cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf for their hair. Read our Hagia Sophia ticket guide before deciding. The flight to Antalya follows the tour, so carry what you need for the day in a small bag.

Is Day 2 in Antalya realistic?

It is the busiest day. In one day you check out, see the Roman city of Perge, the theatre at Aspendos, the Kursunlu Waterfall, Kaleici and Hadrian's Gate, and then fly to Izmir and drive to Kusadasi. Expect a long day with a lot of time in the vehicle and on open ancient sites. If you want Antalya at a slower pace, the extras list offers "add one extra day to the tour" for $115; ask us in writing which city that extra day would go to.

What do we see at Ephesus?

Day 3 walks through Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan and the Nike relief, plus the site of the Temple of Artemis. The Terrace Houses are optional at $25. The House of the Virgin Mary is listed as an optional ending, but this page gives no price for it, so confirm the cost before you travel. Ephesus has little shade, so bring a hat and water.

What is Sumela Monastery like to visit?

Sumela Monastery is built into the side of a cliff, so expect steps and sloping paths and wear proper shoes. Day 4 also includes the Ataturk Pavilion, a hillside villa with views over Trabzon. The Black Sea coast is green because it gets more rain than the Mediterranean, so a light rain jacket is worth packing. Read more in our Black Sea Turkey guide.

Can we change the order or add Uzungol?

The page says extra nights can be added in Istanbul, and the extras list an extra day for $115. The route is fixed around the flights, so ask before you book if you want a different order. If you want a lake day near Trabzon, you could add the Uzungol day trip from Trabzon from $80 per person, which needs an extra night there. For a shorter version of the same idea, compare the 3-day Trabzon, Ephesus and Antalya tour from $1,520 per person. More routes are on our multi-city packages page.

How do we book this package?

Use the booking form on this page to choose your start date, a preferred time and the number of guests, and send your international flight details. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We check the four domestic flights and hotels for your dates, confirm the Trabzon night, the optional ticket prices and what the $115 extra day covers, and send the full plan in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).