Istanbul & Troy Tour 2 Days: Old City Walk and Ancient Troy

Istanbul and Troy in two days: the key facts

This short package combines a guided walk through Istanbul's Old City with a road trip to the ruins of Troy. Day 1 is a full day on foot among the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar, with a night in Istanbul. Day 2 starts around 07:00 with a bus journey to Troy, the city of Homer's Iliad and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before the return to Istanbul and an airport transfer.

It suits travellers with a strong interest in ancient history who have only two days, and people who want a guided Istanbul day plus one big excursion. The price is from $440 per person.

Are there any flights on this tour?

No. The inclusions list "all flights in the itinerary", but the itinerary itself has no flights; the trip to Troy is by bus in both directions. That line appears to be copied from the site's flight packages, so do not count on any flight being part of the price. The quick-facts table above leaves it out for that reason. Ask us to confirm in writing that the trip is by road both ways, and have any change you request written into your plan.

How long is the Troy day, really?

Plan for a very long day. Route planners put central Istanbul to Troy at roughly 330 km, which takes about 4 to 5.5 hours each way depending on the route and traffic. With the visit to the site, Day 2 can easily run 12 hours or more. The page then says our representative takes you to the airport for your flight home, so a same-evening departure needs a late flight. Ask for the expected return time in writing before you book your international flight, or add a night.

Where do we sleep, and do we need a night before Day 1?

The only night in the package is the night of Day 1, in Istanbul, with breakfast. The page does not name the hotel or star category. Because the walk starts with a 09:30 hotel pickup on Day 1, you either arrive in Istanbul that morning or book your own hotel for the night before. Ask us to add a night if that is easier, and confirm the hotel name in your written plan.

What does the Istanbul walk include?

The included 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; the page lists a Hagia Sophia ticket at $40. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, so check your Day 1 weekday. The page also offers a "Classical Istanbul tour" for $30, which sounds similar to Day 1; ask what it adds before you pay for it.

What will we see at Troy?

You walk through the excavated layers of the ancient city at the centre of Homer's Iliad and see the wooden horse replica at the site. The page lists only Troy for Day 2, with no other stops. For background before you go, read our guides to Troy Ancient City and the Troy destination. Bring water and sun protection, as the site is open to the weather and the walking is on uneven ground.

What should we wear on these two days?

For the mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door, so slip-on shoes make the day easier. Mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers and for longer on Friday around midday, which the guide plans around. At Troy, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat. Layers help for the early start on Day 2.

Can we add a day or other sights near Troy?

Yes. The page lists "add one more day to the tour" for $115, the Classical Istanbul tour for $30 and the Hagia Sophia ticket for $40. Extra nights in Istanbul can also be added. If you would rather see Troy on its own, compare the private Troy tour from Istanbul (from $165 per person). To include the Gallipoli battlefields, see the 2-day Gallipoli and Troy private tour (from $235 per person) or Gallipoli tours from Istanbul. For a longer route that continues to Ephesus, there is the 5-day Istanbul, Troy and Ephesus tour (from $1,595 per person). More options are under multi-city packages.

How do we book the Istanbul and Troy tour?

Use the booking form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your dates, number of guests and flight details. We reply with a written plan that shows the hotel, the pickup times on both days, the expected return time from Troy and any extras. Because the page lists flights as included on a bus-only trip, rely on the written plan for what the price covers. Check it before you pay and read the cancellation policy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TURSAB under number A-15751.