4 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale
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Tour Overview
Settle into your Istanbul hotel on arrival. Take an Old City morning tour, then enjoy a free afternoon. Fly to Izmir for Ephesus and stay one night in Kusadasi. Visit Pamukkale before flying back to Istanbul.
This four-day package starts with an airport welcome and free time in Istanbul. Stay two nights in the city. On day 2, join a guided morning visit to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. The tour ends at the Grand Bazaar, leaving the afternoon and evening for your own plans.
Fly to Izmir early on day 3. Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to join the Ephesus tour. Visit the ancient city, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis, then check in for one night in Kusadasi.
After breakfast on day 4, travel to Pamukkale for the white terraces and Hierapolis. View Cleopatra Antique Pool for free, or pay at the site if you want to swim. An airport transfer and evening flight from Denizli take you back to Istanbul, where your driver meets you for the hotel transfer.
Both domestic flights, listed transfers, three hotel nights, guided visits and entrance fees are included. Breakfast is included on days 2 and 4, with lunch on days 3 and 4.
Explore more routes combining Istanbul with other regions in our Turkey tour packages.
Start with Istanbul, then explore the Aegean sites
- Time to settle inArrival transfer and a free first day.
- Three guided routesOld City, Ephesus and Pamukkale visits.
- Fly back from DenizliAirport transfers and Istanbul hotel return.
Day by day
Tour Itinerary
Every day is set out in full below: the times, the transfers and every place you visit.
Stay two nights in Istanbul and one in Kusadasi. Fly to Izmir for Ephesus and return from Denizli after Pamukkale. 2 stops · 3 nights
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Day 1Arrive in Istanbul and enjoy a free day Meet your airport driver, transfer to your hotel and use the remaining day as you wish.
Airport welcome in IstanbulYour driver meets you at arrivals for the included hotel transfer.
Transfer to your Istanbul hotelCheck in for two nights at the hotel class you selected.
Free time in IstanbulThere are no guided visits today. Rest after your journey or explore independently.
First night in IstanbulBreakfast is included before tomorrow’s morning city tour.
Day 2Visit Istanbul Old City in the morning, then enjoy free time Explore the main Old City sights and finish at the Grand Bazaar for independent shopping.
Hotel pickup and guided Old City morningAfter breakfast, join the tour to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. Listed entrance fees are included.
Hagia SophiaSee the building known for its great dome and layers of Byzantine and Ottoman history. Your guide explains how its role changed over the centuries.
Blue MosqueVisit Sultanahmet’s mosque with its six minarets and tiled interior. Dress respectfully and remove your shoes before entering.
Hippodrome and ObelisksWalk through the square that once held the city’s chariot races. Ancient monuments mark the central line of the former track.
Grand BazaarThe tour ends beside the covered market’s shopping lanes. Browse independently afterwards; on Sundays, a different shopping stop replaces the closed bazaar.
The guided morning finishes at the Grand BazaarContinue shopping in your own time. There is no hotel drop-off after this half-day tour.
Free afternoon and eveningArrange lunch and your return to the hotel independently. On Sundays, the tour visits an alternative shopping stop because the Grand Bazaar is closed.
Second night in IstanbulStay at the same hotel before the early airport departure on day 3.
Day 3Fly to Izmir, explore Ephesus and stay in Kusadasi Meet your airport driver and join the Ephesus tour before your overnight stay.
Pickup follows your booked flight.Istanbul hotel checkout and airport transferLeave for the early flight to Izmir. Breakfast is not included this morning.
Flight times vary by season and availability.Flight from Istanbul to IzmirTake the included domestic flight, about 1 hour.
Izmir airport meeting and transfer to EphesusYour driver meets you at arrivals. The included transfer to the tour area takes about 1 hour.
Guided Ephesus and nearby visitsExplore the ancient city and the listed sites with lunch and entrance fees included.
Ephesus Ancient CityFollow streets lined with the remains of public buildings. The Library of Celsus and Great Theatre show the scale of this former Roman city.
House of Virgin MaryVisit the small shrine on the hillside above Ephesus. The site is traditionally associated with Mary and welcomes pilgrims today.
Lunch during the Ephesus routeA restaurant lunch is included between the visits. Drinks are paid separately.
Temple of ArtemisSee what remains of the sanctuary once listed among the Seven Wonders. Your guide describes the temple that formerly stood here.
Finish the Ephesus tourContinue to your hotel with the included tour transfer.
Check in for one night in KusadasiStay at the hotel class selected with your package.
Night in KusadasiBreakfast is included before checkout and tomorrow’s Pamukkale pickup.
Day 4Tour Pamukkale and fly from Denizli to Istanbul Visit the terraces and ancient city, then return to Istanbul with airport transfers included.
Checkout and Pamukkale pickup after breakfastBring your luggage for the journey from Kusadasi. The drive takes about 2.5 hours.
Guided Pamukkale and Hierapolis tourExplore the white terraces and ancient city, with lunch and listed entrance fees included.
Pamukkale TravertinesLook across the white terraces made by spring water leaving mineral deposits. Walk barefoot on the section open to visitors.
Hierapolis Ancient CityExplore the remains of a city built above the thermal springs. The hillside theatre and stone streets help bring its past into view.
Lunch on the Pamukkale dayStop for an included restaurant meal during the guided route. Drinks are extra.
Cleopatra Antique PoolViewing the pool is free. You can pay separately at the site to swim in the warm spring water; bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim.
Pamukkale visits finishComplete the sightseeing before the airport transfer.
Transfer time follows your booked flight.Transfer to Denizli AirportYour included transfer takes about 1 hour.
Flight times vary by season and availability.Flight from Denizli to IstanbulTake the included evening flight, about 1 hour.
Airport meeting and hotel transfer in IstanbulYour driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your Istanbul hotel. The tour ends at the hotel; accommodation this night is separate.
Package scope
What's Included
No hidden package costs. Domestic flights, listed transfers, three hotel nights and guided visits are included, with lunch on the Ephesus and Pamukkale days.
Included
Covered by the displayed package price
- Istanbul to Izmir and Denizli to Istanbul flight tickets with 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
- Istanbul arrival transfer, airport transfers for both domestic flights, and the final Istanbul hotel transfer
- Izmir airport meeting and transfer to the Ephesus tour area
- Guided half-day Istanbul Old City tour with hotel pickup and listed entrance fees
- Guided Ephesus and Pamukkale tours with licensed guides, transport, lunch and listed entrance fees
- 2 nights in Istanbul and 1 night in Kusadasi
- Breakfast on days 2 and 4
- Local taxes and service charges
Not included
Budget separately or add during booking
- International flights and the Istanbul hotel night after the day 4 return
- Lunch on days 1 and 2, all dinners and drinks with lunch
- Breakfast on days 1 and 3
- Hotel return after the half-day Old City tour
- Swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool, paid at the site
- Personal expenses
Stay options
Hotel Classes
Stay two nights in Istanbul and one in Kusadasi, with breakfast on days 2 and 4.
Smart value
Standard Class
- En-suite rooms with air conditioning
- Breakfast included every morning
- Properties we book week after week
From, per person€698
Prices by room occupancy
- 1 person in a single room€902
- 2 people sharing a room€698
- 3 people sharing a room€661
Per person. Prices vary by departure date. These are this week’s lowest.
Most selected
Middle Class
- Larger rooms and better bathrooms
- More on-site facilities and service
- Consistently higher guest ratings
Upgrade, per person+ €87
Prices by room occupancy
- 1 person in a single room€1,025
- 2 people sharing a room€785
- 3 people sharing a room€739
Per person. Prices vary by departure date. These are this week’s lowest.
Premium pick
High Class
- The best-rated property on each stop
- The most space and the best views
- Attentive service from arrival to check-out
Upgrade, per person+ €426
Prices by room occupancy
- 1 person in a single room€1,556
- 2 people sharing a room€1,124
- 3 people sharing a room€997
Per person. Prices vary by departure date. These are this week’s lowest.
Swipe to compare the classes
Route & duration options
Compare Turkey Tour Packages
Choose an Istanbul arrival day, a shorter sightseeing start or extra time for a Bosphorus lunch cruise.
| Comparison | 3 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Istanbul, Ephesus and PamukkaleStart with sightseeing and finish in three days | You are viewing4 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Istanbul, Ephesus and PamukkaleArrive first, then tour Istanbul and the Aegean sites | 5 Days Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale TourAdd a cruise and a third Istanbul night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting day | Old City morning and evening flight to Izmir | Airport welcome and free time | Airport welcome and free time |
| Istanbul sightseeing | Old City morning | Old City morning | Old City morning and Bosphorus lunch cruise |
| Istanbul nights | None | 2 | 3 |
| Kusadasi nights | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Ephesus and Pamukkale | Days 2 and 3 | Days 3 and 4 | Days 4 and 5 |
| From price | €663 | €698 | €810 |
| View Tour & Prices: 3 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale | View Tour & Prices: 5 Days Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour |
Swipe to compare the packages
Want Cappadocia instead of Istanbul sightseeing?4 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale by Flight includes the Red and Yellow Tours, Ephesus and Pamukkale over four days with domestic flights.
Want more time in Istanbul or along the coast?Plan a Turkey holiday with Istanbul and Ephesus to choose the hotel nights and visits that suit your plans.
Practical details
Before You Book
Arrival plans, the Old City morning and the journey to the Aegean sites.
- Is there a tour to join on my arrival day?
Day 1 is for your arrival transfer and free time. Your driver meets you at your arrival airport in Istanbul and takes you to your hotel. The guided Old City tour is on the following morning.
- Where does the Old City morning finish?
It ends around 12:30 at the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop independently. Lunch and the return to your hotel are separate. On Sundays, an alternative shopping stop replaces the closed bazaar.
- Which start days work for this itinerary?
The group itinerary can start every day except Thursday because its day 2 Old City tour does not run on Fridays. A Saturday start places that tour on Sunday, when an alternative shopping stop replaces the Grand Bazaar.
- What happens to my luggage between Ephesus and Pamukkale?
After the Ephesus tour, the included transfer takes you to your Kusadasi hotel for one night. Have breakfast and check out with your luggage on day 4. Travel to Pamukkale with the tour, then transfer to Denizli Airport for the Istanbul flight.
- Is breakfast included before the early departures?
Breakfast is included before the Old City tour on day 2 and before the 07:00 Pamukkale pickup on day 4. It is not included on day 3, when you check out around 04:00 for the Izmir flight.
- Which languages and tour types is this tour available in?
- EnglishGroupPrivate
- SpanishPrivate
- ItalianPrivate
Pick the combination that suits you when you check availability.
- Can I cancel this tour, and how much do I get back?
Yes. How much comes back depends on how early you let us know: we count the days from your written cancellation to your first booked service.
- 61 to 90 days70% back
- 31 to 60 days60% back
- 16 to 30 days30% back
- 0 to 15 days, or no showNo refund
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