Greece, Turkey & Egypt Self-Launched: Ancient Civilisations on a Backpacker Budget
11 days · Greece, Turkey & Egypt
Eskapas charges £2,073
No-markup version: ~£581 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Eskapas' 11-day Athens–Istanbul–Cairo group tour. You cover the same headline sights — the Acropolis, a Saronic Islands boat day, Topkapı Palace and the Bosphorus, the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and Alexandria — but you build it yourself with cheap island ferries, a £20 sleeper-ish budget flight between Athens and Istanbul, a Pegasus/Turkish Airlines hop to Cairo, and self-booked guides via GetYourGuide or local operators. Expect dorm or private budget rooms in hostels and family-run guesthouses, public transport and shared taxis, and street food that's far better than the set menus. Costs are approximate, per person, excluding international flights in and out (Athens in, Cairo out).
Day-by-day
Arrive Athens — Plaka and the Acropolis at golden hour
Athens, Greece
Land at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) and take Metro Line 3 into the centre (€9 airport ticket, ~40 min) — far cheaper than a taxi and drops you at Monastiraki or Syntagma. Check into a hostel in Plaka/Monastiraki or Koukaki (dorms £12–18, private budget rooms £30–45). Spend the afternoon wandering Plaka's lanes below the Acropolis, grab a gyros or souvlaki dinner for €4–6, and walk up to Areopagus Hill for the free sunset view over the ruins. Sort your 3-day Athens public transport tourist ticket (€20) and pre-book your Acropolis timed entry for tomorrow morning via the official etickets.tap.gr site.
🚌Metro Line 3 from ATH to centre, €9; walking and metro thereafter
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in Plaka/Monastiraki/Koukaki (~£15)
- →Metro from airport to centre
- →Plaka and Anafiotika wander
- →Areopagus Hill sunset viewpoint
Athens half-day sightseeing — Acropolis, Agora, museum
Athens, Greece
Do the guided half-day version yourself: pre-book an Acropolis + Acropolis Museum combo entry (Acropolis €20 summer / €10 winter off-peak, museum €15, or the €30 multi-site ticket covering Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Kerameikos, Olympieion and more). Go at opening (8am) to beat the heat and crowds, then walk down through the Ancient Agora and on to the Acropolis Museum. If you want context, join a small-group GetYourGuide walking tour (£25–35) or a free walking tour for tips. Afternoon: Syntagma changing of the guard, the National Archaeological Museum (£12, half-price Nov–Mar) or a coffee in Exarchia. Evening: rooftop bar in Monastiraki for the lit-up Acropolis view.
🚌Metro/walking, covered by 3-day transport ticket
🛏Same hostel/guesthouse in Athens (~£15)
- →Acropolis and Parthenon early entry
- →Ancient Agora and Acropolis Museum
- →Syntagma guard change and National Archaeological Museum
- →Optional GetYourGuide guided walking tour
Saronic Islands by public ferry — Aegina DIY
Aegina, Greece
The tour's Hydra–Poros–Aegina cruise costs a lot; you can do the same islands independently. The cheapest and most rewarding version: take the regular Hellenic Seaways/Saronic Ferries boat from Piraeus to Aegina (~€10–13 each way, 40–70 min) and back — swap to Hydra (fast ferry from Piraeus ~€30–35 each way) if you'd rather see the car-free harbour town. On Aegina: rent a bike or scooter (£10–15) to reach the Temple of Aphaia, swim at Agia Marina, and eat pistachios and grilled fish by the port. Alternatively, book a GetYourGuide one-day Saronic cruise with lunch for £55–75 if you want all three islands in one go — still cheaper than the operator's version. Back in Athens for dinner.
🚌Metro to Piraeus + return ferry to Aegina, ~£22–25 total
🛏Same hostel/guesthouse in Athens (~£15)
- →Public ferry to Aegina
- →Temple of Aphaia
- →Swim at Agia Marina
- →Harbour seafood lunch
Fly Athens to Istanbul — Galata and the Golden Horn
Istanbul, Turkey
Budget morning flight Athens–Istanbul (Aegean, Pegasus via Sabiha Gökçen, or Turkish Airlines IST) — book 4–8 weeks ahead for £35–70 one way. From IST take the Havaist bus or M11 metro + Marmaray into Sultanahmet (€3–5); from Sabiha Gökçen use Havabüs to Kadıköy/Taksim. Check into a hostel in Sultanahmet or Karaköy (dorms £10–16, private rooms £25–40). Afternoon: cross the Galata Bridge, ride the antique Tünel funicular, climb Galata Tower (₺650/~£15, or just enjoy the lane cafes free), and wander Karaköy's coffee shops. Evening: balık ekmek (fish sandwich, ~£2.50) by the water, then an İstanbulkart for public transport (cheap, ~£0.50 per ride).
🚌One-way flight ~£50 + airport bus/metro ~£4, İstanbulkart top-up £5
🛏Hostel dorm in Sultanahmet or Karaköy (~£14)
- →Budget flight to Istanbul
- →Galata Bridge and Karaköy
- →Galata Tower exterior/sunset view
- →Street food dinner
Sultanahmet classics — Topkapı, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
Istanbul, Turkey
Beat the queues: buy Topkapı Palace tickets online (£27 / €32, plus Harem extra) and arrive at 9am opening. Hagia Sophia is now a mosque — free entry for worshippers, timed ticketed access for visitors, dress modestly; the exterior and courtyard are free to admire anytime, or visit the nearby Basilica Cistern (£12) for the atmospheric underground columns. The Blue Mosque is free (closed to visitors during prayer times). Lunch: Sultanahmet köftecisi (~£6). Afternoon in the Grand Bazaar (free, closed Sundays) — haggle for tea and ceramics, then walk to the Spice Bazaar area for sunset. A GetYourGuide half-day guided old-city tour runs £25–35 if you want the histories explained.
🚌Tram T1 and walking on İstanbulkart
🛏Same Istanbul hostel (~£14)
- →Topkapı Palace
- →Hagia Sophia
- →Blue Mosque
- →Grand Bazaar
- →Optional Basilica Cistern
Bosphorus by public ferry — Asia to Europe
Istanbul, Turkey
Skip the tourist cruise: the Şehir Hatları public ferry from Eminönü does the Bosphorus for a fraction of the price — a full round-trip 'Boğaz turu' costs around ₺150–250 (£5–8) or just hop the commuter ferry to Anadolu Kavağı and back. Sail past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Maiden's Tower and the two suspension bridges, get off at Ortaköy for kumpir, or in Beylerbeyi. Cross to the Asian side (Kadıköy) for lunch at the market, then return to Karaköy by ferry. Visit the Spice Bazaar on the way back. Evening: rooftop tea in Sultanahmet or a meyhane dinner in Beyoğlu (~£10–12 with drinks if you're careful).
🚌Public ferries and trams, ~£6 total
🛏Same Istanbul hostel (~£14)
- →Public Bosphorus ferry
- →Ortaköy and Maiden's Tower views
- →Kadıköy market lunch
- →Spice Bazaar
Fly Istanbul to Cairo — Downtown and Khan el-Khalili
Cairo, Egypt
Morning Pegasus/Turkish/Nile Air flight Istanbul–Cairo (£70–110 one way booked early). On arrival buy your Egyptian e-visa in advance online (£20–25 for most Western passports) and take the Cairo Airport shuttle bus or Uber to Downtown (Uber ~£5–8). Check into a hostel or budget hotel near Talaat Harb / Downtown or Zamalek (dorms £8–14, budget private rooms £20–30). Get an Egyptian eSIM or local Vodafone SIM (£5–8). Afternoon siesta, then head to Khan el-Khalili bazaar after sunset — El Fishawy cafe for mint tea, and dinner at a local koshary joint (~£2). Book your Giza guide and Alexandria day trip tonight through GetYourGuide or your hostel.
🚌One-way flight ~£85 + airport transfer ~£6
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel in Downtown/Zamalek (~£12)
- →Flight to Cairo
- →Khan el-Khalili bazaar and El Fishawy cafe
- →Koshary dinner Downtown
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum
Cairo, Egypt
Take an Uber to Giza before 8am (£4–6) and buy the site ticket (~£12–15) plus extra for entering a pyramid interior if you want. Walk the plateau between Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, see the Sphinx from the Valley Temple, and if you fancy it ride a camel or horse for £8–12 after hard bargaining (agree the price and duration first). A local guide at the gate or a GetYourGuide half-day tour (£20–30) adds a lot for little money. Afternoon: the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir (ticket ~£10) to see the Tutankhamun galleries — note many pieces are moving to the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), so check which is open and price GEM separately (~£25–30). Evening: Nile-side corniche walk or a cheap felucca sunset sail (£6–8 shared).
🚌Uber to Giza and back ~£10
🛏Same Cairo hostel/hotel (~£12)
- →Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
- →Valley Temple
- →Egyptian Museum / Grand Egyptian Museum
- →Optional felucca sunset sail
Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo on foot
Cairo, Egypt
Metro to Mar Girgis for Coptic Cairo — the Hanging Church, Church of St Sergius and the Ben Ezra Synagogue are free or by small donation; the Coptic Museum is ~£6. Then head to Islamic Cairo: the Cairo Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali (~£8), and walk Al-Muizz Street's medieval gates and madrasas (free to wander) down to the Khan again. Skip taxis where possible and use the metro (a few pence per ride). Lunch at a ful and ta'meya spot for under £2. Evening: rooftop dinner in Zamalek, or a Nile dinner cruise if you want the splurge (£25–35) — otherwise a cheap local grilled-chicken dinner for £5.
🚌Metro and Uber, ~£6
🛏Same Cairo hostel/hotel (~£12)
- →Coptic Cairo churches and synagogue
- →Coptic Museum
- →Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque
- →Al-Muizz Street walk
Day trip to Alexandria — library, catacombs and the Corniche
Alexandria, Egypt
Take the early air-conditioned train from Ramses or Misr station to Alexandria (~2.5 hrs, £3–6 first class — book same-day at the station or via the Egyptian National Railways site). On arrival, take a shared microbus or Uber to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (£4–5, check opening days — closed Fridays), then the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (~£5), Pompey's Pillar and the Roman amphitheatre. Walk the Corniche to the El Montazah Gardens (small entry) and see the Abu El Abbas Mosque from outside. Seafood lunch on the Corniche (£6–8). Return train late afternoon, back in Cairo for dinner. If you'd rather not plan it, a GetYourGuide Cairo–Alexandria day tour with transport is £30–45.
🚌Return train Cairo–Alexandria ~£8; local taxis/microbuses ~£5
🛏Same Cairo hostel/hotel (~£12)
- →Train to Alexandria
- →Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- →Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
- →El Montazah Gardens and Corniche walk
Cairo departure
Cairo, Egypt
Final breakfast, a last wander for souvenirs (or a cheap hammam if time allows, £8–12), and Uber or the airport bus to Cairo International (~£5). If your flight is late, stash your bag at the hostel and revisit Khan el-Khalili or the Nile corniche. Onward flights and international departures not included in the budget.
🚌Uber to CAI ~£5
🛏None (departure day)
- →Souvenir shopping
- →Transfer to Cairo International Airport
Self-launched vs. Eskapas
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Eskapas | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£581 | £2,073 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,492 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Eskapas-style trips? Check them out here.~£581
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Greece, Turkey & Egypt Self-Launched: Ancient Civilisations on a Backpacker Budget cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £581 per person for 11 days in Greece, Turkey & Egypt. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Eskapas?+
Yes — Eskapas charges around £2,073 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £581 — a saving of roughly £1,492 (72%) per person.
How long is the Greece, Turkey & Egypt trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Greece, Turkey & Egypt.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Greece, Turkey & Egypt, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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