Istanbul, Black Sea & Aegean Tour 6 Days: Trabzon, Ephesus, Bodrum

Istanbul, Trabzon, Ephesus and Bodrum in 6 days: the key facts

This group package crosses Turkey from north to south-west in 6 days and 5 nights, using three domestic flights. After a guided day in old Istanbul, you fly to Trabzon on the Black Sea. On Day 3 you visit Sumela Monastery and the Atatürk Pavilion before flying to Izmir and driving to Kusadasi. Day 4 covers Ephesus and then Pamukkale with Hierapolis. On Day 5 you drive to Bodrum for the castle and marina, then fly back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who want to see the green Black Sea coast and the classic Aegean sites on one short trip, and who accept that each region gets about a day. The price is from $2,345 per person. Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

How do the three domestic flights work?

All three are included. The first leaves Istanbul for Trabzon on Day 2 after the old city tour, and you are driven to your Trabzon hotel. The second leaves Trabzon for Izmir on Day 3 after Sumela and the Atatürk Pavilion, and a transfer takes you to Kusadasi. The third leaves Bodrum for Istanbul on Day 5. The page gives no flight times, airlines or baggage rules. Three flights in four days leave little room for delays, so ask for all flight details in your written plan before you book your international tickets.

What time does Day 2 start, and is it really a full day?

The page gives two times, so ask us to confirm. Day 1 says the guide picks you up at 09:30 the next day. Day 2 says 09:00. Be ready at 09:00 with your bags packed, because you check out and fly to Trabzon after the tour. The plan lists the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, with Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. With an evening flight to catch, you may not have time for both optional sights. If Istanbul matters to you, add a night before the tour for $65.

How much of the Black Sea do we actually see?

One morning. Day 3 covers Sumela Monastery, built into a cliff face, and the Atatürk Pavilion, a hillside villa above Trabzon. After that you fly to Izmir. Uzungöl, the tea gardens and the highland villages are not on the plan. If you want more of the region, ask us to add a night in Trabzon. You could then join the Uzungol private day trip from Trabzon from $80. Our Black Sea Turkey guide and Black Sea tour overview explain what else is there.

How long are the Aegean days?

Day 4 is the longest. You walk through Ephesus in the morning, past the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre. Then you travel to Pamukkale for the white terraces and Hierapolis in the afternoon, and sleep there. The page does not give the drive time, so ask. Day 5 starts with a drive of about 3 hours to Bodrum, according to the page. You then visit Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina before the flight. Both days involve several hours on foot, mostly on stone.

Which hotels are used?

The page says "accommodations with breakfast" but gives no hotel names or star ratings. The five nights are in five places: Istanbul, Trabzon, Kusadasi, Pamukkale and Istanbul again. You sleep in a different bed every night except at the start and end in Istanbul, so pack light. Ask for the hotel names with your written plan, and ask whether you can use the same Istanbul hotel at both ends. That way you could leave a large bag there while you travel.

What should we wear at the mosques, Sumela and Pamukkale?

For the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. You take your shoes off inside. See our what to wear in Istanbul guide. Sumela is a religious site on a cliffside, so wear modest clothes and good shoes. A light jacket is useful for the Trabzon day. At Pamukkale, shoes are not allowed on the terraces. You walk barefoot and carry your shoes in a bag.

Which tickets and meals are included?

Entrance fees are included, except for the optional sights. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul are optional, and so are the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus. Ask which of these you would pay for, and how much, so you can budget. Breakfast is included every morning. Lunch and dinner are not included on any day, including the travel days, so plan for airport and roadside meals. The page also lists a Cappadocia balloon flight at $310 as an extra, but this route does not go to Cappadocia.

Are there other Black Sea and Aegean combinations?

Yes. The 4-day Istanbul and Trabzon tour from $1,455 gives the Black Sea more time. The 3-day Istanbul, Trabzon, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from $1,315 leaves out Bodrum. You can also browse all our multi-city packages.

How do I book this 6-day tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. We check all three flights and the hotels for your dates. Then we send you the full plan in writing, with flight times, hotel names, the confirmed Day 2 start 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 under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.