Istanbul, Antalya & Ephesus Express Tour: 3 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Antalya and Ephesus in 3 days: the key facts

This is an express group package that links three regions with three domestic flights in 3 days and 2 nights. Day 1 is a guided walk through old Istanbul, then a flight to Antalya. Day 2 covers Perge, the Aspendos Theatre, Kursunlu Waterfall, Kaleici and Hadrian's Gate, then a flight to Izmir and a night in Kusadasi. Day 3 is Ephesus, followed by a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers with very little time who want Roman sites on two coasts and do not mind a new airport every day. The price is from $1,315 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. Day 1 ends with a flight from Istanbul to Antalya. Day 2 ends with a flight from Antalya to Izmir, followed by the drive to Kusadasi. Day 3 ends with a flight from Izmir to Istanbul, where a representative helps with your transfer to a hotel or your flight home, and the service ends. The page gives no flight times, airlines or baggage allowance. Ask for all three in writing, and pack light: three flights in three days goes much more smoothly with one cabin-sized bag each.

Is Day 1 a full Istanbul day if we fly to Antalya the same day?

Confirm this in writing. The page calls Day 1 "a full-day walking tour" from 09:00, with the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. The airport transfer and the Antalya flight follow straight after, with no flight time given. The booking form also offers start times from 08:00 to 14:00, which does not fit a fixed 09:00 pick-up and an evening flight. Plan on 09:00 and check out of your Istanbul hotel that morning. Hagia Sophia costs $40 extra. Topkapi is marked optional, but no price is given.

How busy is the Antalya day?

Day 2 is the fullest. You check out, visit Perge and Aspendos, both large Roman sites, stop at Kursunlu Waterfall, then walk through Kaleici and Hadrian's Gate before flying to Izmir. Arrival in Kusadasi is likely to be late, because the drive from Izmir Airport follows the flight. The page gives no times for this day. Expect a lot of time in the vehicle and on your feet. Lunch is not included, so carry cash. If you would like more time on this coast, see the Antalya destination guide.

Which hotels are used?

The page says "accommodations with breakfast" but names no hotels and gives no star rating. The two nights are in Antalya after Day 1 and in Kusadasi after Day 2. No Istanbul night is included. The tour starts with a pick-up from your Istanbul hotel on Day 1, and it ends after the Day 3 flight back. You either book Istanbul yourself or add extra nights, which the page says are available. Ask for the hotel names in your written plan. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide explains the Ephesus base.

What is included at Ephesus?

Main-site entry is included. The walk covers the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan and the site of the Temple of Artemis. The Terrace Houses are optional at $25. The House of the Virgin Mary is optional too, with no price shown on this page, so ask. Ephesus has little shade, so bring a hat and water, even outside summer. After the visit you are taken to Izmir Airport. Leave enough time, and do not book an onward international flight that same evening until you know your landing time.

What is the "Transfer to Fethiye" extra?

The extras list includes a transfer to Fethiye for $165, but Fethiye is not on this route, and the page does not explain how it would fit. If you want to finish on the coast rather than fly back to Istanbul, ask us to quote it as a separate change, in writing, with the new end point and what happens to the Day 3 flight. The page only mentions extra nights in Istanbul, so an extra Antalya night would need its own quote. Our Antalya tours list shows the day trips you could fill it with.

Are there similar packages to compare?

Yes. The 3-day Istanbul, Antalya, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour costs the same, from $1,315, and adds Pamukkale to the last day. For a slower pace on the same coasts, the 5-day Istanbul, Ephesus and Antalya tour costs from $1,795. Browse all multi-city packages for longer routes.

How do I book this 3-day tour?

Pick 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 both hotels for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing: flight times, hotel names, the confirmed 09:00 pick-up and the optional tickets you have chosen. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.