Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus Tour Package: 5 Days with Flight Back

Istanbul, Troy and Ephesus in 5 days with a flight back: the key facts

This package goes overland from Istanbul to Troy and on to the Aegean coast, then flies you back. Day 1 is arrival and a transfer to your hotel. Day 2 is a full guided walk in Istanbul's old city, including the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar, with Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. On Day 3 you check out and travel by bus to Troy, then continue to Kusadasi for the night. Day 4 is a guided visit to Ephesus followed by a flight to Istanbul, and Day 5 is the airport transfer.

It suits travellers interested in the ancient world, from Homer's Troy to Roman Ephesus, who prefer one flight and a road trip to a series of airports. It has two nights in Istanbul, which gives you a little time in the city. The price is from $1,595 per person.

How long is the Troy day, and what time does it start?

This is the point on the page you should check most carefully. Day 3 says you check out of your Istanbul hotel in the morning and travel by bus to Troy, and also that "the tour normally begins at around 09:00". Troy is about 300 km from Istanbul, and the trip usually takes four to six hours by road, so both cannot describe the same morning. After Troy the road continues to Kusadasi, and the page does not give that drive time either. Ask us for the departure time, the Troy start time and the expected arrival in Kusadasi in writing.

What do we see at Troy?

The page describes a walk through the ruins of the city told of in Homer's Iliad and a stop at the wooden horse. Our Troy ancient city page and the Troy destination guide have more background on the site and the area. If you would like more time here, or want to add Gallipoli, see the Gallipoli and Troy 2-day private tour or the one-day private Troy tour from Istanbul.

What does the Istanbul day cover?

Your guide meets you at the hotel at 09:30 AM on Day 2 for a full day on foot. The stops are the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome with the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain, and the Grand Bazaar. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are optional, so their tickets are not included. At the Blue Mosque, shoulders and knees must be covered, women cover their hair and shoes come off; scarves are usually available at the door. The mosque closes to visitors during prayers, with the longest closure at Friday midday. You return to the same hotel that night.

What do we see at Ephesus, and how does the flight work?

Day 4 covers the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan, the relief of Nike and the site of the Temple of Artemis. The Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional. After the tour you fly back to Istanbul. The usual airport for Kusadasi is Izmir, about 80 km away. The page does not name the airport or flight time, so ask for both in your written plan.

Is the Cappadocia balloon part of this tour?

No. The page lists a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Goreme) for $310 as an optional extra, but this route does not go to Cappadocia. A balloon flight would need extra days and travel that are not shown here. If you want it, ask us for a written plan that adds Cappadocia and shows the full price. The other extras on the page are one extra hotel night in Istanbul, before or after the tour, for $65, and an upgrade to a private tour for $250.

What is the best time of year for this route?

Spring and autumn work best for a trip with a long road day and two big outdoor sites. Troy and Ephesus are both visited on foot in the open, and the coast is hot in July and August. In those months bring a hat, sun cream and water. April, May, late September and October give milder days for walking. For more on the seasons, read our best time to visit Turkey guide.

Which hotels are used, and can we change the plan?

The four nights with breakfast are two in Istanbul, one in Kusadasi and one in Istanbul at the end. The page does not name the hotels or a star category, so ask for the hotel names in writing. You can add nights in Istanbul ($65 per extra night on the page) or upgrade to a private tour ($250), which gives more control over timing on the Troy day. For a version that continues to the Mediterranean, see Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus and Antalya, or browse all multi-city packages.

How do I book this package?

Choose your date and the number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We send you a written plan with the Day 3 timings, the flight details, hotel names and what is included, and you check it before any payment. Read the cancellation policy before you confirm. The tour is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.