Turkey Packages from Australia: Gallipoli, Flight Routes and Prices

Australia still has no nonstop service to Istanbul, so getting to Turkey takes about a day in transit, and your plan should allow for that. For this reason, most Australians we work with spend 10 to 15 days in the country. Our packages for Australian travellers range from 10 days covering Cappadocia and Istanbul, starting at $940 per person excluding hotels (the price depends on the season, the hotel and the inclusions, so ask us for the current figure), up to 15 days finishing on the Antalya coast. Nearly every itinerary also includes a day at Gallipoli.

Getting there from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth

Turkish Airlines connects Melbourne to Istanbul with a Singapore stop and Sydney with a Kuala Lumpur stop; according to 2026 reports, the Sydney service will stop in Singapore instead once late October arrives. The flight number stays the same through the stopover. On the published timetable, the Sydney flight departs in the evening and arrives in Istanbul the following morning, with a total time of roughly 21 to 23 hours that varies by season. The airline has announced plans for nonstop flights from Melbourne and Sydney from late 2027, but tickets are not yet available.

Many travellers instead fly a Gulf carrier via its home hub, an option that also suits Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. Whatever you choose, confirm the Istanbul airport you arrive at. Istanbul Airport (IST) sits on the European side. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is across the water in Asia, at a greater distance from the Old City.

Airport transfers are part of our multi-city packages. If you land a day ahead to rest, a Mercedes Vito transfer from the airport is charged per vehicle rather than per person.

Entry for Australian passport holders (checked October 2026)

Türkiye's foreign ministry lists holders of ordinary Australian passports as visa-exempt for tourism, for a maximum of 90 days within any 180 days. There is no e-Visa to purchase, so disregard sites offering one. Look up the passport validity requirements on Smartraveller before departure, since they are checked at the check-in desk.

Packages suited to the long journey from Australia

Australians pick these routes most often; every package page gives the current price excluding hotels and international flights:

Following more than 20 hours of flying, eight days goes by fast: jet lag takes the first day, and the internal flights in Turkey arrive soon after. From Australia we recommend ten days as the shortest trip. Fourteen to fifteen days makes better use of the long-haul fare you have already paid, and the longest route, at 15 days, finishes with free days on the beach near Antalya, with your departure from Antalya Airport.

Included in the packages: domestic flights, airport transfers, guided sightseeing and lunch on touring days. You choose hotels for each city on the package page, and their cost for your dates is added on. Not included: flights from Australia, dinner on most evenings, the Cappadocia balloon and tips.

Gallipoli and Anzac Day

Our standard multi-city packages do not cover Gallipoli, so we arrange it as a separate private trip from Istanbul. On the private trip in a single day you see Anzac Cove, Brighton Beach, the Turkish memorial and Lone Pine Cemetery, travelling in your own van with a licensed guide. Expect a long day, with several hours on the road in each direction. The version over two days breaks up the drive and includes the ruins of Troy; the hotel is booked separately. Our Gallipoli guide has more detail.

Going to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day, 25 April, takes separate planning. The Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs requires each attendee to carry photo ID and a free attendance pass registered beforehand. For 2026, gates opened on 24 April at 10:30 pm, and the last entry was before the road closed at 3 am. These times are fixed anew every year, so read the DVA page before you settle your dates, and let us know early if the service is the centre of your trip.

Best months to travel from Australia

• April and May (autumn in Australia): what we recommend first. Istanbul is mild, Cappadocia balloons fly on most mornings, and Anzac Day falls on 25 April.
• September and October: the sea on the coast is still warm, Ephesus and Pamukkale are cooler, and there are fewer families.
• June to August (the Australian winter break): Turkey's busiest and hottest period. Great for the beach, tough at the ruins around midday.
• December and January (Australian summer holidays): winter in Turkey. Istanbul is wet and cold, snow is possible in Cappadocia, and balloon cancellations are more frequent.

Time zone, money, power and phones

• Time: Türkiye uses UTC+3 throughout the year. Sydney and Melbourne are 7 hours ahead of Istanbul in the Australian winter and 8 hours ahead under daylight saving; Perth is 5 hours ahead of Istanbul.
• Money: prices are shown in US dollars, and the site header has a euro switch. We do not quote in Australian dollars; your card does the conversion, so check what it charges for foreign transactions. Carry a little Turkish lira for tips and small cafés.
• Power: sockets in Turkey are the European round two-pin type at 230 V. You will need an adapter for Australian plugs.
• Phones: look up your Australian roaming charges before leaving. Most travellers instead use an eSIM data plan or buy a Turkish SIM on arrival.
• Cancellation: no charge until 7 days before your tour; inside 7 days there is no refund.

See further routes on our page of routes across Turkey, or request a custom itinerary planned around your flight schedule. Coming from Britain or the US? Read our page for British travellers, which covers both.

Frequently Asked Questions