Troy, Ephesus & Antalya 3-Day Tour from Istanbul with Flights
Overview
Troy, Ephesus & Antalya 3-Day Tour from Istanbul with Flights
In three days this tour takes you through some of the most famous chapters of Turkey’s past and onto its Mediterranean coast. You start at the ancient city of Troy, then spend a full day among the impressive ruins of Ephesus.
A flight then brings you to Antalya, where you explore the old town, Hadrian’s Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before flying back to Istanbul.
Accommodation with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights on the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional visits) are included. International flights to Istanbul, lunches, dinners and optional activities during free time are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Troy & Drive to Kusadasi
We pick you up from your hotel early in the morning for a scenic bus journey to Troy.
Highlights of the day:
- Troy: walk through the ruins of the city Homer wrote about in the Iliad and see the famous wooden horse.
From Troy you continue to Kusadasi, check in to your hotel and have the evening free.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 2 – Ephesus Ancient City & Flight to Antalya
Today’s Ephesus tour takes you deep into the past. The city is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world, and its streets and buildings still give a clear picture of Roman life.
Highlights of the day:
- Library of Celsus: the ancient library with its famous facade, the most recognisable building in Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: raised in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, with well-preserved columns and finely carved reliefs.
- Terrace Houses (optional): the luxurious residential complex where the wealthy families of Ephesus lived.
- Hercules Gate: a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: a vast theatre that seated up to 25,000 people and is still used for performances today.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios: the story of the cult devoted to Asklepios, god of healing, and what is left of his temple.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: old marker stones that guided people through the city and showed its boundaries.
- Artemission: the spot where the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, used to stand.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: a detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: the well-kept remains of a monumental fountain built for Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can finish at the house believed to be the final resting place of the Virgin Mary.
After the tour you are taken to the airport for your flight to Antalya.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 3 – Antalya Old Town & Flight to Istanbul
Today you check out of the hotel and explore Antalya.
Highlights of the day:
- Kaleici (Old Town): cobbled lanes lined with Ottoman houses and busy little shops.
- Hadrian’s Gate: the well-preserved Roman gate that once led into the old city.
- Duden Waterfalls: a peaceful setting just outside the city centre, with the falls as the centrepiece.
After the tour you are taken to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Once there, a member of our team arranges your airport transfer, whether you are flying home or returning to your hotel. This is where our services end.
Want to stay longer? Extra nights can be added to the trip.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Mary’s House ticket: $55
- Ephesus Terrace Houses: $25
- Transfer to Fethiye: $165
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Accommodations with breakfast
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓All flights in the itinerary
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓Admission Fees to enter sights (Except optionals)
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
- ✕Dinner and lunch
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities during free time
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Travel guides
Troy, Ephesus and Antalya in three days from Istanbul: the key facts
This package runs from the ancient sites of the north Aegean to the Mediterranean coast in three days. Day 1 is a bus journey from Istanbul to Troy and on to Kusadasi for the night. Day 2 is a guided tour of Ephesus, then a flight to Antalya. Day 3 covers Antalya's old town (Kaleici), Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before a flight back to Istanbul.
It suits travellers who want the two great classical sites plus a look at the coast, and who are happy to trade free time for range. The price is from $1,110 per person, with the flights in the itinerary included.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Route | Istanbul - Troy - Kusadasi - Ephesus - Antalya - Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour with a professional guide; bus on Day 1, flights on Days 2 and 3 |
| Start / end | Istanbul hotel pickup early on Day 1; Istanbul airport or hotel on Day 3 |
| Included | 2 nights with breakfast, guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees except optional sights |
| Extra | International flights, lunches, dinners, optional sights and activities |
How much time do we really get at Ephesus?
The overview says you "spend a full day among the ruins of Ephesus", but the Day 2 itinerary ends with a transfer to the airport and a flight to Antalya, so the Ephesus visit has to fit around that flight. Expect a solid guided tour of the main street and monuments rather than a whole day. Ask for the Antalya flight time in writing so you know how long you will have, especially if you plan to add the Terrace Houses or the House of the Virgin Mary.
How long is the drive on Day 1?
It is the longest day of the trip. The page only says you are picked up "early in the morning", with no exact time. Route planners put Istanbul to Troy at about 4 to 5.5 hours, and the road from the Canakkale area to Kusadasi at roughly 360 km, around 4.5 hours more. With the visit to Troy, you reach Kusadasi in the evening. Ask for the pickup time and expected arrival in writing, and carry water and snacks, since lunch is not included.
What do we see at each stop?
At Troy you walk through the ruins of Homer's city and see the wooden horse replica. At Ephesus the list includes the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan, the Nike relief and the site of the Temple of Artemis. In Antalya you see the Ottoman lanes of Kaleici, the Roman Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls just outside the centre. Our Antalya guide describes the city in more detail.
Which extras cost more?
The Terrace Houses at Ephesus are $25 and the House of the Virgin Mary ticket is $55; both are optional. The page also offers a transfer to Fethiye for $165, which lets you continue west along the coast instead of flying back from Antalya. Lunches, dinners and any activities in free time are extra. Have every extra you want, with its price, listed in your written plan.
Where do we stay, and is an Istanbul night included?
Night one is in Kusadasi and night two is in Antalya, both with breakfast. The page does not name the hotels or state their category, so ask for the names in writing. Day 1 starts with a pickup from your hotel in Istanbul, but no Istanbul night is part of the package. You need your own hotel for the night before, or ask us to add one. On Day 3 the service ends with the transfer in Istanbul to your flight home or to a hotel.
What should we wear, and when is the best time to go?
Troy and Ephesus are open sites with uneven stone paths and little shade, so wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sun protection, and carry water. Dress modestly if you visit the House of the Virgin Mary, which is a place of worship. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for this kind of walking. July and August are hot at both sites, so the morning hours matter. Our guide to the best time to visit Turkey gives month-by-month advice.
Can we add nights or slow the route down?
Yes. The page says extra nights can be added to the trip, and it lists the Fethiye transfer as a way to extend along the coast. It gives no per-night prices, so ask for a quote. If you want this route at a calmer pace, compare the 4-day Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus and Antalya tour (from $1,455 per person) or the 5-day Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum and Antalya tour (from $1,595 per person). For a shorter option without Antalya, see the 2-day Troy and Ephesus tour (from $640 per person). More routes are under multi-city packages.
How do we book the Troy, Ephesus 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 Istanbul hotel. We reply with a written plan showing the Day 1 pickup time, both flight times, the hotel names in Kusadasi and Antalya and the cost of any extras. Because the overview promises a full day at Ephesus while the itinerary adds a flight that same day, rely on the timings in your written plan. Check it before you pay and read the cancellation policy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TURSAB under number A-15751.
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