Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya & Konya Tour 4 Days with Flights

Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Konya in 4 days: the key facts

This package is a loop through western and central Turkey that starts and ends in Istanbul. You fly to Izmir on the morning of Day 1 and tour Ephesus, then drive about three hours to Pamukkale for the night. Day 2 is Hierapolis and the white travertine terraces, followed by a drive of roughly four hours to Antalya. On Day 3 you see Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before another four-hour drive inland to Konya, and Day 4 is the Mevlana Museum and Seljuk Konya before the flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who want ruins, a natural wonder, the Mediterranean and the city of Rumi in one short trip, and who do not mind long afternoons in the vehicle. Two flights replace the longest stretches, but three road legs remain. The price is from $1,455 per person.

Where do we sleep, and what about the night before Day 1?

The three nights are in Pamukkale, Antalya and Konya. Day 1 begins with a very early pickup from your hotel in Istanbul for a 9:30 AM flight to Izmir, or you can meet the guide at the airport. That Istanbul night is not one of the three included nights, so you need to arrange it or ask us to add it. The page does not name hotels or give a star rating. Ask for the hotel names and the Istanbul arrangement in your written plan. Our Istanbul guide helps if you are choosing a hotel area yourself.

Is lunch included on the Konya day?

The Day 4 programme lists "lunch at a local restaurant" with Konya dishes such as etli ekmek or fırın kebabı, but the inclusions say breakfast only and the exclusions list both lunch and dinner. The page contradicts itself here. Assume you pay for lunch unless your written plan says otherwise, and ask us to confirm this in writing before you book. The same applies to lunch and dinner on the other days, which are not included.

How long are the drives, and how tiring is this trip?

The page gives about three hours from Ephesus to Pamukkale, about four hours from Pamukkale to Antalya and about four hours from Antalya to Konya. Each of those drives comes after a morning or full day of sightseeing on foot, and the Ephesus visit is a long walk on old stone streets. You should expect to arrive at your hotel in the evening on Days 1, 2 and 3. If that sounds like too much, the page offers one extra day for $115, which you can use to break up the route.

What should I wear at Pamukkale and in Konya?

At Pamukkale you walk the travertine terraces barefoot; staff enforce this, so bring a small bag for your shoes. The surface can be rough in places and slippery when wet. Shoes are fine on the paths and in the ruins of Hierapolis. Swimming in the Cleopatra Pool costs extra, so pack a swimsuit if you plan to use it. At the Mevlana Museum visitors put on shoe covers or remove their shoes, shoulders and knees should be covered, and women are advised to bring a scarf for the tomb room. The same clothing works at the Alaeddin Mosque.

What is the best time of year for this route?

Spring and autumn suit this mix best. Konya sits at about 1,000 metres and has cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers, while Antalya is at its hottest in July and August, with highs often above 32°C. Pamukkale's white terraces reflect the sun strongly in midsummer, so a hat and sunglasses are worth packing. April, May, late September and October give milder days for walking at Ephesus and in Kaleici. In winter, ask about road conditions on the drive to Konya.

What do we see at Ephesus?

The Day 1 visit 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, and their tickets are not part of the included entrance fees. The page does not list prices for these on this package, so ask for them when you request your plan.

Can we change the route or add nights?

The order is set by the two flights: into Izmir at the start and out of Konya at the end. Extra nights can be added, and the page lists one more day for $115, a transfer to Fethiye for $165 and a transfer to Bodrum for $85. The page does not explain where these transfers fit into a route that ends in Konya, so ask for that in writing. If you want a similar loop with Troy added, look at the Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Konya package, or compare the Ancient Civilizations tour. More options are in our multi-city packages.

How do I book this package?

Use the booking form on this page to choose your date and number of guests, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We reply with a written plan that lists the flight times, hotels and what is included, and you approve it before any payment. Make sure that plan answers the two open points on this page: the Istanbul night before Day 1 and whether the Konya lunch is included. Read the cancellation policy before confirming. The tour is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.