Istanbul, Ephesus & Antalya Tour: 5 Days to the Turquoise Coast

Istanbul, Ephesus and Antalya in 5 days: the key facts

This group package combines one guided day in old Istanbul with two flying days to the coast. You arrive in Istanbul on Day 1 and spend Day 2 on foot around the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. On Day 3 you fly to Izmir, tour Ephesus and sleep in Kusadasi. On Day 4 you fly to Antalya to see Perge, Aspendos, the Kursunlu Waterfall and Kaleiçi. You fly back to Istanbul that evening, and Day 5 is your departure transfer.

It suits first-time visitors who want Istanbul, one great ancient city and a look at the Mediterranean coast, all in under a week. The Antalya part is a sightseeing day, not a beach stay. The price is from $1,795 per person. All flights in the itinerary, hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

How do the domestic flights work?

There are three domestic flights, and all are included. On Day 3 you fly from Istanbul to Izmir after breakfast, and the Ephesus tour starts on arrival. On Day 4 you check out in Kusadasi and fly to Antalya for the day's sights. After the Antalya tour you are taken to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul, and you sleep in Istanbul that night. The page does not give flight times, departure airports or baggage allowances. Ask for all three in your written plan, especially if you are carrying large suitcases.

What time do we meet the guide on Day 2?

The page gives two times, so ask us to confirm in writing. Day 1 says your guide will meet you "the next morning at 09:30 AM". Day 2 says the guide meets you at the hotel at 09:00 AM. Plan to be ready in the lobby at 09:00 until we confirm. The day is a full walking tour of the old city: the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, plus Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, which are both marked optional. You are driven back to your hotel at the end.

How much time do we get in Antalya?

About one day, with no night there. Day 4 starts with a morning flight from the Ephesus area. You visit Perge, the Roman theatre at Aspendos, the Kursunlu Waterfall, Kaleiçi old town and Hadrian's Gate, then fly to Istanbul. There is no time for the beach or a boat trip. If you want a real stay on the Turquoise Coast, ask us to add a night or two in Antalya. That changes the flight dates, so it needs a new written quote.

Which entrance tickets are included?

Entrance fees are included for the sights on the plan, but not for those marked optional. In Istanbul, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are optional. At Ephesus, the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional. Ask us which of these you would pay for on the spot, and at what price, so you can decide in advance. Our Hagia Sophia ticket price guide covers that ticket. Lunch and dinner are not included on any day, so budget for two meals a day as well.

Which hotels are used?

The page says "accommodations with breakfast", but it does not name hotels or give star ratings. You have three nights in Istanbul: Day 1, Day 2 and the night after the Antalya flight on Day 4. You have one night in Kusadasi on Day 3, the usual base for Ephesus. Ask for the hotel names with your written plan. If you can, ask to keep the same Istanbul hotel for both stays, so you can leave luggage there. For the Ephesus base, see our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide.

What should we wear in the mosques and at Ephesus?

For the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cover your shoulders and knees. Women also cover their hair, so carry a light scarf. You take your shoes off inside, so wear shoes that are easy to slip off. Visits pause during prayer times. Our what to wear in Istanbul guide has more detail. At Ephesus and Perge you walk on uneven marble and stone with little shade. Wear firm walking shoes and a hat, and carry water, especially from late spring to early autumn.

Is the balloon flight part of this tour?

No. The page lists a Cappadocia hot air balloon flight at $310 as an optional extra, but this route never goes to Cappadocia. To fly, you would need extra days and flights, so ask for a separate quote if you want it. The other two extras do fit this trip. An extra Istanbul hotel night, before or after the tour, costs $65. An upgrade to a private tour costs $250 per person. The upgrade gives you your own guide and vehicle on the touring days, and it is worth asking about if you want a slower pace at the ruins.

Are there similar packages to compare?

Yes. The 3-day Istanbul, Ephesus and Antalya tour from $1,315 drops the arrival and departure days. The 4-day Istanbul and Antalya tour from $1,455 gives more time on the coast. You can also browse all our multi-city packages or ask for a tailor-made Turkey tour if you want to rearrange the order.

How do I book this 5-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 flights and hotels for your dates. Then we send you the full plan in writing, with flight times, hotel names, the confirmed Day 2 meeting time 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, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.