Pamukkale & Antalya Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights

Pamukkale and Antalya in two days from Istanbul: the key facts

This package is a fast round trip from Istanbul to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the old town of Antalya. Day 1 starts with a 09:15 flight to Denizli, the airport for Pamukkale, and the tour of Hierapolis and the white terraces begins on landing. In the afternoon you drive about four hours to Antalya. Day 2 is a tour of Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls, then a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers based in Istanbul who have two spare days and want to see Pamukkale plus a slice of the Mediterranean coast without a long bus trip. The price is from $845 per person, with both flights included.

How does the timing work on Day 1?

We collect you from your Istanbul hotel very early for the 09:15 flight to Denizli, or you can meet the guide at the airport. The Pamukkale tour starts as soon as you land. After the visit you drive to Antalya, which the page gives as about four hours. That means a long day: an early start, a morning and early afternoon on foot, then several hours in the vehicle. The booking form asks you to pick a start time between 08:00 and 14:00, which does not fit a 09:15 flight; use the pickup time in your written plan instead.

Where do we stay?

The package has one night, and from the itinerary it is in Antalya after the drive from Pamukkale, with breakfast. The page does not name the hotel or give a star category, so ask for the name in writing. Because Day 1 starts with a pickup from your Istanbul hotel, you need your own hotel in Istanbul for the night before. The service ends on Day 2 after the flight back, with a transfer to your flight home or to your hotel.

What do we see at Pamukkale and Hierapolis?

The visit covers the Necropolis and the Theatre at Hierapolis, the white travertine terraces and Pamukkale Naturel Lake and Park. The Cleopatra Pool is on the route, but swimming in it requires its own admission charge. The overview describes the whole trip as being on Turkey's southwestern coast; in fact Pamukkale is inland, which is why the drive to Antalya takes about four hours. Read our guide to Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis and the Pamukkale destination page for background.

What should we wear at Pamukkale?

Shoes are not allowed on the white terraces, so you walk barefoot and carry your shoes in a bag; sandals or slip-ons save time. Wear clothes you can roll up above the ankle, and bring a swimsuit only if you plan to pay for the Cleopatra Pool. The white surface reflects strong sun, so sunglasses, a hat and sun cream are worth packing. Hierapolis itself is a spread-out site with old stone paths, so good walking shoes help there.

What does the Antalya morning include?

On Day 2 you check out and tour Kaleici, the old town of Ottoman houses and narrow lanes, Hadrian's Gate, a Roman entrance to the old city, and the Duden Waterfalls just outside the centre. After the tour you take the flight back to Istanbul. The page does not give the flight time, so ask for it in writing before booking any onward flight. Our Antalya guide covers the city in more detail.

When is the best time for this short trip?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons at Pamukkale, with milder heat and fewer people on the terraces. In July and August the terraces are hot and crowded around midday, and on this itinerary you arrive mid-morning, so expect company. Winter is the quietest time, but chilly for walking barefoot. Our guide to the best time to visit Turkey gives more detail by season.

Can we add a day or end somewhere else?

Yes. The page lists adding one more day to the tour ($115), a transfer to Fethiye ($165) and a transfer to Bodrum ($85). The page does not say where the Bodrum transfer starts, so ask before you choose it. Extra nights in Antalya or Istanbul can also be added. If you would like an Istanbul day included, compare the 3-day Istanbul, Pamukkale and Antalya tour (from $1,110 per person). For Pamukkale only, there is the Pamukkale and Hierapolis day trip from Istanbul by plane (from $499 per person). With Ephesus added, see the 2-day Antalya, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour (from $845 per person). More options are under multi-city packages.

How do we book the 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 Istanbul hotel. We reply with a written plan showing the pickup time for the 09:15 flight, the Antalya hotel, the return flight time and the cost of any extras. Where the page is unclear, such as the start-time field on the form and the starting point of the Bodrum transfer, 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.