Istanbul, Pamukkale & Antalya Tour: 3 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Pamukkale and Antalya in three days with flights: the key facts

This package fits three regions into three days. Day 1 is a guided walk through the Old City of Istanbul followed by a flight to Denizli, the airport for Pamukkale. Day 2 covers the white travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis, then a drive of about four hours to Antalya. Day 3 is a tour of Antalya's old town, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers with limited time who want a taste of a city, an inland natural site and the Mediterranean coast, and who do not mind early starts and long days. The price is from $1,110 per person, and the flights inside the itinerary are included.

How do the flights and the drive fit together?

There are two domestic flights. After the Istanbul walk on Day 1 you are taken to the airport for the flight to Denizli, and a transfer takes you to your hotel there. On Day 2 there is no flight. After Pamukkale you drive to Antalya, which the page puts at about four hours. On Day 3 you fly from Antalya back to Istanbul, where our representative helps with the transfer to your flight home or to a hotel. The page gives no flight times, so ask for them in writing. Your departure flight home should leave enough margin after the Antalya flight lands.

Where do we sleep, and is the Istanbul night included?

The package has two nights. From the itinerary, the first is near Pamukkale after the Denizli flight, and the second is in Antalya after the drive, although the page never states the Antalya night directly. The hotels are not named and no star category is given. Note one point the page leaves unclear: Day 1 starts with a 09:00 pickup "from the hotel" in Istanbul, but no Istanbul night is part of the two nights. Plan on booking your own Istanbul hotel for the night before, or ask us to add one. Confirm which hotels you will use in writing before paying.

Are Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace included?

No. On the Day 1 walk, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are part of the tour. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional. The page lists a Hagia Sophia entrance ticket at $40, and our note on the Hagia Sophia ticket price explains how entry works. Check your weekday: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, so on those days the walk will change. In Pamukkale, swimming in the Cleopatra Pool also costs extra.

How hard are the days on this route?

Every day is full. Day 1 is a long day on foot in Istanbul followed by a flight and a late hotel arrival. Day 2 starts early and includes walking on the terraces and around Pamukkale and Hierapolis, then about four hours in a vehicle. Day 3 has a morning in Antalya and another flight. Hierapolis is a spread-out ancient site with old stone paths, and the terraces are wet underfoot. Comfortable walking shoes, water and sun protection matter more here than on a city-only trip.

What should we wear at the Blue Mosque and at Pamukkale?

For the Blue Mosque, cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair; shoes come off at the door. Mosques close to visitors during prayers, which the guide works around. At Pamukkale, shoes are not allowed on the white terraces, so you walk barefoot and carry your shoes in a bag. Wear clothes you can roll up, and bring a swimsuit only if you plan to pay for the Cleopatra Pool. The white surface reflects strong sunlight, so sunglasses and a hat help.

When is the best time of year for this trip?

Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for Pamukkale, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds. In July and August the terraces are hot and busy, and Antalya is very warm, so early starts become more important. Winter is the quietest season, but it is chilly at Pamukkale for walking barefoot, and daylight is shorter for a route this full. For a wider view of the seasons, read our guide to the best time to visit Turkey.

Can we add a day or continue to Fethiye?

Yes. The page lists three priced extras: extending the tour by one day ($115), the Hagia Sophia ticket ($40) and a transfer to Fethiye ($165), which lets you continue along the coast instead of flying back. Extra nights in Istanbul can also be added. If you want this route without the Istanbul day, see the 2-day Pamukkale and Antalya tour from Istanbul (from $845 per person). For a slower version, compare the 4-day Istanbul and Antalya tour or other multi-city packages. More on the coast is in our Antalya destination guide and Fethiye guide.

How do we book the Istanbul, Pamukkale and Antalya tour?

Send the booking form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your dates, number of guests and where you are staying in Istanbul. We reply with a written plan showing flight times, hotel names for both nights and the price of any extras. Because the page does not say who arranges the Istanbul night before Day 1, make sure the written plan settles that point. Check everything before paying, and read the cancellation policy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TURSAB under number A-15751.