Istanbul, Bodrum & Pamukkale Tour: 3 Days with Flights

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

This short tour links Istanbul, the Aegean harbour town of Bodrum and the travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Day 1 is a guided Old City walk in Istanbul and an evening flight to Bodrum. Day 2 covers Bodrum Castle, the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina, followed by a private transfer inland to Pamukkale. Day 3 is Hierapolis and the terraces, then a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who want a mix of city, sea and a natural site in a few days and who are comfortable with a flight, a long drive and another flight in quick succession. The price is from $1,110 per person, with the flights in the itinerary included.

How does the travel work between the three stops?

You fly from Istanbul to Bodrum on the evening of Day 1, after the city walk. On Day 2 you drive from Bodrum to Pamukkale by private transfer. The page gives this drive as about 2.5 to 3 hours, but route planners put the road distance at roughly 245 to 275 km and the time closer to 3 to 4 hours, so allow for a longer afternoon. On Day 3 you fly from Denizli, the airport for Pamukkale, back to Istanbul. Flight times are not on the page; ask for them in writing before booking any onward flight.

Where do we stay, and what about the night before Day 1?

The two nights are in Bodrum (Day 1) and Pamukkale (Day 2). The hotels are not named and no star category is given, so ask for the names in your written plan. Day 1 begins with a 09:00 pickup from your hotel in Istanbul, yet no Istanbul night is part of the package. You will need your own Istanbul hotel for the night before, or ask us to add one. Get this settled in writing.

Which Istanbul sights are included on Day 1?

The walk covers the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome with its obelisk and Serpent Column, and the Grand Bazaar. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional. The page lists the Hagia Sophia entrance ticket at $40. Check the day of the week. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, so the walk will change on those days. The Blue Mosque closes to visitors during prayers, which your guide times around.

What do we see in Bodrum and at Pamukkale?

In Bodrum the visits are the medieval castle above the harbour, the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world) and free time at the marina. Our Bodrum guide has more on the town. At Pamukkale you visit the Necropolis and the Theatre at Hierapolis, walk on the white terraces and stop at Pamukkale Naturel Lake. Swimming in the Cleopatra Pool costs an extra entrance fee. See Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis for background.

How tiring is this tour, and what should we wear?

Expect three full days. Day 1 is a day on foot plus a flight. Day 2 mixes sightseeing with three or more hours in a vehicle. Day 3 starts early and includes walking around a large ancient site before the flight. For the mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. At Pamukkale shoes are not allowed on the white terraces, so you walk barefoot and carry your shoes. Bring sunglasses, a hat and water, as the white surface reflects the sun.

When is the best time to do this route?

Spring and autumn suit this route best. Temperatures are milder at Pamukkale and the terraces are less crowded than in peak summer. July and August bring strong heat and crowds on the terraces, so the early start on Day 3 helps. Winter is the quietest time, but it is chilly for barefoot walking at Pamukkale. Our article on the best time to visit Turkey covers the seasons in more detail.

Can we add nights in Bodrum or an extra Istanbul day?

Yes. The page lists three priced extras: an extra Istanbul day ($235), the Hagia Sophia ticket ($40) and two extra nights in Bodrum ($280). It labels the Istanbul extra as "(Day 2)", even though Day 2 of this itinerary is the Bodrum day, so ask exactly where that day would fit. Extra nights in Pamukkale or Istanbul are also possible. For a longer version of this region with Ephesus added, see the Aegean wonders tour with Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum (from $1,795 per person). Without Bodrum, there is the 3-day Istanbul and Pamukkale tour (from $1,110 per person). More options are under multi-city packages and Bodrum tours.

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

Use the booking form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. Tell us your dates, the number of guests and your Istanbul hotel. We reply with a written plan that includes flight times, hotel names in Bodrum and Pamukkale, the Bodrum to Pamukkale timing and the cost of any extras. Where the page is unclear, such as the drive time and the "Day 2" label on the Istanbul extra, rely on what the written plan says. Check it before you pay, and read the cancellation policy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TURSAB under number A-15751.