Private Troy & Gallipoli Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Hotel

Private Troy and Gallipoli tour from Istanbul with a night in Canakkale: the key facts

This 2-day, 1-night trip from Istanbul covers two very different chapters of history. Day 1 is a fully guided afternoon on the Gallipoli Battlefields, from ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine to the Chunuk Bair memorial, followed by a night in Canakkale. Day 2 is a half-day tour of ancient Troy, free time in Canakkale and the drive back to Istanbul in the evening.

It suits Australian and New Zealand visitors following family history, readers of the Iliad and anyone interested in the First World War, as long as they are fine with two long road days. Hotel pick-up, transport, a night in a 5-star or boutique hotel with breakfast, a private licensed English-speaking guide and VIP entrance fees are included. The price is from $535 per person.

Is the tour fully private?

The page calls the guide private, but the transport is listed as "an air-conditioned coach", and Day 2 has you meeting the guide at a set time and place in Eceabat for the drive back, which is how shared tours usually work. It is not clear whether the vehicle and the return drive are only for your group. Ask us to confirm in writing who you travel with. Note too that our Gallipoli and Troy private tour for 2 days is listed from $235 per person, so compare what each includes before you choose.

How long are the drives?

Long. On Day 1 you are collected between 06:00 and 06:30 and reach Eceabat at about 12:20, so expect around six hours on the road with stops. On Day 2 you leave for Istanbul at about 6:00 PM and reach the city at about 11:00 PM. Pick-up and drop-off are only on the European side of Istanbul and at the cruise port, so if you are staying on the Asian side, tell us and we will suggest a meeting point. Bring snacks, water and something to do on the road.

What do we see at Gallipoli?

After a lunch stop in Eceabat at 12:30, the guided tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site starts at 13:00. Stops listed on the page are Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery where John Simpson is buried, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu where the first ANZAC landing took place, Lone Pine Cemetery, Johnston's Jolly with a walk through the trenches, a view across Shrapnel Valley, the Turkish Memorial, The Nek, Walker's Ridge and Chunuk Bair, the main New Zealand memorial. If you are looking for a particular grave or name, tell us in advance so the guide can plan for it.

What do we see at Troy?

After breakfast your guide meets you at about 08:30 for a half-day tour of the ancient city of Troy. The page lists the Trojan Horse, the sacrificial altars, city walls about 3,700 years old, houses from Troy I, the Bouleuterion, the Odeon, the active excavations and the remains of the layered cities from Troy I to Troy IX. The visit lasts up to 2 hours. The page does not mention the Troy Museum, so ask if you would like to add it.

What happens between Troy and the drive home?

At about 11:45 AM you are dropped in the centre of Canakkale for free time, and your guide tells you when and where to meet in Eceabat for the drive back. With departure at about 6:00 PM, this leaves several free hours. Lunch and any activities in that time are at your own cost. If you would rather leave earlier or fill the afternoon, ask us when booking; the page does not offer a set alternative, so any change should be confirmed in writing.

Is lunch included?

Food and drinks are listed as not included unless stated. Day 1 has a lunch stop in Eceabat at 12:30, but the page does not say that this lunch is paid for, so plan to pay for it yourself unless we confirm otherwise. Breakfast at the Canakkale hotel is included. Gratuities are optional and not included. The page does not name the hotel, so ask which one is booked for your date.

What should we wear and bring?

The battlefield sites are mostly outdoors, on grass, dirt paths and the trench walk at Johnston's Jolly, so wear comfortable walking shoes. There is little shade at the cemeteries or at Troy, so take a hat, sun cream and water in warm weather and a wind-proof layer in cooler months, as the peninsula is exposed. Cemeteries and memorials are places of remembrance, so dress and behave quietly. Our Gallipoli destination guide and Troy destination guide have more background.

How do we book this tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. Tell us your hotel or cruise port, any family names you want to trace at Gallipoli, and whether you need a private vehicle. We confirm the transport, the hotel, the meeting time in Eceabat and which meals you pay for, and send the full plan in writing before you make any payment. For other options, see our Gallipoli tours from Istanbul. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).