Istanbul, Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour: 2 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale in 2 days: the key facts

This short group package fits old Istanbul and two of the Aegean region's best-known sites into 2 days and 1 night. Day 1 is a guided walk through Istanbul, then a flight to Izmir and a night in Kusadasi. Day 2 starts at Ephesus, continues inland to Pamukkale and Hierapolis in the afternoon, and ends with a flight from Denizli back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers based in Istanbul who have only two days to spare and can handle a long second day. The price is from $845 per person. A hotel night with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

How do the two flights work?

Both are included, and they use different airports. You fly from Istanbul to Izmir at the end of Day 1 and are driven to your hotel in Kusadasi. On Day 2 you fly home from Denizli, the airport for Pamukkale, so you do not go back to Izmir. In Istanbul a representative helps with your transfer to a hotel or your flight home, and the service ends there. The page gives no flight times or baggage allowance. Ask for both in your written plan, and do not book an international flight out of Istanbul on the evening of Day 2.

Can Ephesus and Pamukkale really fit into one day?

They can, but it is a long day, and the page does not give the drive time between them. Ask for it. The morning is the Ephesus walk: 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 page says the tour "can end at" the House of the Virgin Mary, but the same day then goes on to Pamukkale and Denizli Airport. If you want Mary's House, ask whether there is time for it. If there is not, leave it out rather than rush the terraces.

Which tickets are included, and which cost extra?

Main-site entry at Ephesus, Pamukkale and Hierapolis is included. The extras listed are Hagia Sophia at $40 and the Ephesus Museum at $15. The museum is not mentioned anywhere in the itinerary, so ask whether there is time for it. The Terrace Houses, Topkapi Palace and the House of the Virgin Mary are marked optional, but the page gives no price for them. Ask for a written total for the extras you want before you travel.

Is an Istanbul hotel night included?

No. The one included night is in Kusadasi, with breakfast. The page names no hotel and gives no star rating. The tour starts with a 09:00 pick-up from your Istanbul hotel, so you need to be in Istanbul the night before, either in a hotel you have booked yourself or with an extra night added through us. The page also lists "extend the tour by one day" for $115, without saying where that day goes. Ask what it buys before you choose it. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide explains the Kusadasi base.

What should we wear at Pamukkale and in Istanbul?

Footwear is not allowed on the white travertine terraces at Pamukkale. You walk barefoot along the permitted path and carry your shoes in a bag. Shoes are fine in Hierapolis. Bring sunglasses, because the white rock is bright, and roll-up trousers if you want to wade. At the Blue Mosque on Day 1, cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. You take your shoes off inside. Ephesus has little shade, so a hat and water are useful there.

Does the booking form start time matter?

Confirm it in writing. The itinerary says the guide collects you at 09:00, but the booking form lets you pick any start between 08:00 and 14:00. Day 1 is described as "a full day on foot" that ends with an airport transfer and the flight to Izmir. A late start would not leave room for both, so plan on 09:00 unless we tell you otherwise. Check out of your Istanbul hotel that morning, and keep one small bag for the two days.

Are there similar packages to compare?

Yes. The 2-day Ephesus and Pamukkale tour by flight costs the same, from $845, and skips the Istanbul walk. A private 2-day Ephesus and Pamukkale tour costs from $1,035. If you can take four days, the Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale package costs from $1,455. Our Pamukkale tour from Istanbul page and the Ephesus packages list have more options.

How do I book this 2-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 both flights and the hotel for your date. Then we send the full plan in writing: flight times, the Kusadasi hotel name, the confirmed 09:00 pick-up point 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.