Troy, Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour: 3 Days of Ancient Sites

Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale in 3 days: the key facts

This three-day, two-night group tour links three of the best-known ancient sites in western Turkey by road. Day 1 is Troy and the drive south to Kusadasi. Day 2 is a guided Ephesus tour followed by an afternoon drive to Pamukkale. Day 3 is the travertine terraces and Hierapolis, after which you can add a transfer to Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum or Fethiye, or end the tour in Pamukkale.

It suits travellers who want the classical sites of the Aegean in one short trip and are happy with long road stages and two different hotels. Lunch and dinner are not included, so budget for meals. The price is from $910 per person.

Where does the tour start, and are there any flights?

This is the point to check first. Day 1 says you are picked up from your hotel and board the bus to Troy, with the tour usually starting at about 09:00, but the page does not say which city that hotel is in. The inclusions also list "all flights in the itinerary", yet no flight appears anywhere in the three days. Before you book, ask us to confirm in writing where the pick-up is, at what time, and whether any flight is part of your price. If you are starting from Istanbul, compare the 3-day Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from Istanbul, which is built around an Istanbul start.

What do we see at Troy and Ephesus?

At Troy you walk through the ruins of the city described in Homer's Iliad and see the wooden horse. At Ephesus the listed stops include 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. Two stops are marked optional: the Terrace Houses, priced on the page at $25, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Ask whether the second one costs extra on your date.

Where do we stay each night?

Night 1 is in Kusadasi and night 2 is in Pamukkale, both with breakfast. The page does not name the hotels or their category, so ask us which hotels are planned for your date. Because you change hotels each night, pack so that you can move easily, with one main bag and a small day bag for the sites. Our page on Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus gives an idea of the area where you spend the first night.

How long are the drives and how hard are the days?

The page does not give driving times, but each day combines a long road stage with walking at a site. Day 1 is the drive to Troy and then on to Kusadasi. Day 2 ends with the drive inland to Pamukkale. At Ephesus you walk on old marble paving that can be slippery, and there is little shade at Ephesus or Hierapolis, so bring a hat, sun cream and water. Wear shoes with a good grip. The pace suits most reasonably fit adults; tell us in advance if anyone has trouble with long walks.

What should we know about Pamukkale on Day 3?

Day 3 usually starts at about 09:30 after check-out. You see the Necropolis and the Theatre of Hierapolis, walk on the white travertine terraces and have time at the Pamukkale Naturel Lake and Park. On the terraces visitors must take off their shoes, so wear something easy to slip off and bring a bag to carry them. Swimming in the Cleopatra Pool has its own charge. Read more on our Pamukkale and Hierapolis guide and the Pamukkale destination page.

Can we continue to the coast or back to Istanbul after the tour?

Yes, as an option. The page lists transfers from Pamukkale to Istanbul, Fethiye, Antalya or Bodrum, chosen on the booking form, and gives a price only for Fethiye ($165). It does not say how the Istanbul transfer works or what the other transfers cost, so ask for a written quote. If you do not choose a transfer, our services end in Pamukkale. If you know you want to end on the coast, the Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum and Antalya tour carries on for you.

Can we add a night or change the plan?

The page offers an extra day for $115 as an optional extra, but it does not say in which town the extra night would be. Tell us where you would like the extra time, Kusadasi or Pamukkale, and we will confirm what is included. For other Aegean combinations, browse our Ephesus packages or the Ephesus and Kusadasi destination page. If you only have time for one site near Canakkale, the Troy day tour from Canakkale is a shorter option.

How do we book this Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour?

Use the booking form on this page to choose your date and number of guests, and add any onward transfer or extra day. You can also write to us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. Tell us where you are staying before Day 1 so we can confirm the pick-up. Because the page lists flights that do not appear in the itinerary and does not say where the tour starts, we send the full plan in writing, with the pick-up point, the hotels, any extras and the total, before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours holds TÜRSAB licence A-15751.