Affordable Turkey
Per person sharing
Affordable Turkey Tour is the best way to see Turkey. Its history is an extraordinary tapestry woven with layers of culture, heritage, and stunning landscapes. Starting in Istanbul, you'll find yourself at the crossroads of continents, where East meets West in a breathtaking collision of history and modernity. The city's pulsating energy and architectural wonders like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque truly embody its rich past.
Cappadocia, with its surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys and underground cities, paints a vivid picture of ancient civilizations. Exploring the open-air museums and taking in the sunrise via a hot-air balloon ride offers unforgettable experiences.
As you journey westward to Antalya, the Mediterranean's allure beckons with its turquoise waters and ancient ruins. The city itself, with its blend of modernity and history, offers a fascinating contrast.
The convenience of domestic flights between these destinations ensures you spend less time on the road and more time soaking in Turkey's beauty and history. The diversity in landscapes, from bustling cities to ethereal landscapes, makes this tour an enticing option for the individual traveler eager to immerse themselves in the tapestry of Turkey's past and present
At a glance
| Day 1 | Arrive in Istanbul. Meet and transfer to your hotel | |||
| Day 2 | Full-day Princess Island tour with lunch | |||
| Day 3 | Full-day Bursa tour with lunch | |||
| Day 4 | Flight to Cappadocia | |||
| Day 5 | Full-day North Cappadocia tour with lunch | |||
| Day 6 | Flight to Antalya | |||
| Day 7 | Full-day Antalya and Waterfall tour with lunch | |||
| Day 8 | Services end with transfer to Antalya Airport |
Highlights
- Istanbul: Visit the beautiful Princess Island and Bursa, the "Green City"
- Cappadocia: Join us in exploring the spectacular natural valleys, rock-cut churches and abandoned cave homes of Cappadocia, together with some of its most important historic sites
- Antalya: Visit Kaleici - the picturesque old quarter of the city
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Istanbul
- Arrive Istanbul. Clear customs and meet with our representative in the arrival hall for transfer to your hotel.
- Check-in and the remainder of the day is free
Istanbul Princess Island Tour (B/L)
- This tour is a relaxing way to leave the hush of Istanbul. Enjoy the cool air and attractive sights along the way to Buyukada, the largest and most visited island in the chain. The most important charming side of these islands is that there is no traffic jam as cars and motorcycles are banned. You can only see bicycles and horse-drawn carriages around you, called phaetons which will be used by us to tour the island and the scenery beatified with flamboyant mansions draped with purple and white bougainvillaea’s, redolent of a more inactive and admirable era. Stop for lunch at a restaurant near the waterfront and gaze across the Asian shore towards Istanbul, so close and yet worlds apart.
Bursa Tour (B/L)
- Visit the city of Bursa, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, on this day trip from Istanbul that starts with a 2-hour ferry ride.
- Enjoy the views during the trip, and visit Tophane for a panoramic look at Bursa. Enjoy a local lunch, and ascend Mt. Uludag, the ancient Olympus, by cable car to take in the scenery.
- Other activities include a silk market and covered bazaar.
Inclusions
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our local representative
- Transfer and transportation as per itinerary in AC vehicle
- Accommodation in selected hotels in a double/twin room sharing
- Meal plan as per itinerary
- Excursions with a Local English-speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Exclusions
- International/Domestic flights – Departure & Fuel taxes (Contact us for best airfares)
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel Insurance
- Visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- Rate valid for travel between 01 APR and 31 OCT 26
Contact us for any other date of travel required
Country information
Best time to go
The best times to visit Turkey’s archaeological sites and cities are in spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) as the temperature is warm, but not too hot.
High summer (Jun-Aug) can be hot: best time for beach holidays. Winters can be cold and many hotels though city breaks are still an option. Turkey does offer ski options during the winter months
Turkey food & drink
Turkish food is varied and delicious. It’s often meze style – lots of small dishes to sample, including aubergine dips, calamari, borek (stuffed pastries), mashed broad beans and stuffed vine leaves – plenty of options for vegetarians, too. Local food involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form – the smell of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb and chicken permeates Turkey.
A Turkish menu includes wonderful slices of bread, super-sweet baklava (pistachio and syrup pastry) and salty white cheeses. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is easy to find in Turkey, especially in the touristy coastal regions. Efes is the Turkish beer of choice. Raki, grape spirit, is potent.
Turkish coffee is pitch black, very strong and often sweet. Tea is widely drunk and served black
Culture and Language
Turkish is the official language, however, English, French and German are widely spoken in all major cities and tourist areas. Shaking hands is the common form of greetings. Hospitability is a top priority. Pointing fingers at a person a considered rude. Declining an offer is done by putting your hand over your heart. Observe dress code when visiting Islamic sites
Getting around
Train travel is a very popular mode of transport between the major cities. It may be slow but can sometimes offer you some inspiring scenic moments. Coach travel is the most used way of getting around Turkey. Bus routes are relatively cheap and are most comfortable. Just about any city is connected by coach. On certain upmarket coaches, extra legroom and Wi-Fi is offered. If your journey is more than 5 hrs, a 30-minute stop is made about every three hours. Taking a taxi is by far the most convenient way of travel in major cities, but not always the quickest way. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street. Important: only take the official bright yellow taxis. If they do not have a meter, then it is a no go
Tipping
The basic rule is: tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotel staff does, however, expect a tip between 5 and 20 Turkish Lira. Do not tip taxi drivers but round up the fare. Tour Guides do not depend on tips, however, if a tour has really gone beyond what your expected, a tip of between 20 and 30 Tl will be greatly appreciated