Istanbul to Athens: Turkey & Greek Islands Self-Launched Adventure
14 days · Turkey & Greece
On The Go Tours charges £3,600
No-markup version: ~£1,165 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of On The Go Tours' 14-day Istanbul to Athens run — same route (Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Marmaris, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens) but done independently using local buses, the Greek island ferries and a cheap Rhodes–Santorini flight instead of a guided coach group. You'll book your own day tours on GetYourGuide/Klook where a guide genuinely adds value (Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale), and explore the islands at your own pace. Costs are approximate 2026 backpacker/mid-range solo rates and exclude international flights to/from the region.
Day-by-day
Arrive Istanbul — Sultanahmet orientation
Istanbul, Turkey
Fly into Istanbul (IST or SAW). Take the Metro + tram (or Havaist bus, ~£3-4) to Sultanahmet and check into a hostel or guesthouse in the old city. Spend the afternoon wandering the Hippodrome square, the exterior of Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, then eat a cheap balik ekmek (fish sandwich) or a kebab dinner near Eminönü. Buy an Istanbulkart transit card at the airport for ~£2 plus credit.
🚌Airport Metro/Havaist bus to Sultanahmet ~£4
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Sultanahmet, dorm ~£15 or private budget room ~£25
- →Self-guided wander of Hippodrome & Grand Bazaar
- →Bosphorus-side sunset walk
Istanbul highlights — Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi
Istanbul, Turkey
Do the old-city circuit independently: Blue Mosque (free), Hagia Sophia (ticket ~£25 for the upper gallery/it's a mosque so main hall free), Topkapi Palace (~£30 including Harem). Get there at opening to beat the cruise crowds. Optional: book a small-group old-city walking tour on GetYourGuide (~£35) if you want the history explained. Evening meyhane dinner in Kumkapi or a cheap pide spot.
🚌Tram T1 between sights ~£1/day
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Sultanahmet
- →Blue Mosque
- →Hagia Sophia
- →Topkapi Palace
- →Basilica Cistern (~£8)
Gallipoli ANZAC sites day trip
Istanbul → Gallipoli → Çanakkale
Join a self-bookable Gallipoli day tour from Istanbul (GetYourGuide/Viator, ~£70-90 incl. transport, lunch and guided walk of ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, The Nek and Johnston's Jolly). These leave early (~6am) and return to Istanbul late — alternatively, do it as the tour does: take an overnight bus from Istanbul to Çanakkale (~£20, 6h) and stay overnight so you can visit the peninsula by local dolmuş and on a shorter half-day tour next morning.
🚌Overnight intercity bus Istanbul–Çanakkale ~£20 (or day-tour coach included)
🛏Overnight bus (if doing Çanakkale route) or Istanbul hostel
- →Guided Gallipoli ANZAC walk
- →Lone Pine & Chunuk Bair memorials
Troy and Pergamum en route south
Çanakkale → Troy → Bergama → Selçuk
Take a local dolmuş from Çanakkale to Troy (~£2, 30 min) and explore the ruins and replica Trojan horse yourself with a self-guided audio app (~£8 entry). Continue by bus to Bergama (~£8, 3h) for the dramatic hilltop Pergamum acropolis (~£10 entry, cable car ~£3). Then bus down to Selçuk/Kuşadası (~£10, 3h) for the night.
🚌Dolmuş + intercity buses ~£20 total
🛏Budget guesthouse in Selçuk, ~£15-20
- →Ancient Troy
- →Pergamum Acropolis & Asklepion
- →Replica Trojan horse
Ephesus — full day among the ruins
Selçuk, Turkey
Walk or take the local minibus to Ephesus (~£1). Entry ~£30; either self-guide with an audio guide or join a small-group Ephesus tour (~£40 incl. entry from Selçuk). See the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Curetes Way and the Terrace Houses (extra ~£10). Afternoon: Temple of Artemis site (free) and St John's Basilica. Dinner in Selçuk's market street — good value and delicious.
🚌Local minibus to Ephesus ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse in Selçuk
- →Ephesus ancient city
- →Library of Celsus & Great Theatre
- →Terrace Houses
- →Temple of Artemis
Pamukkale terraces and Hierapolis
Selçuk → Pamukkale → Marmaris
Early bus from Selçuk to Denizli/Pamukkale (~£8, 3h). Spend the afternoon walking the white travertine terraces barefoot (entry ~£30 incl. Hierapolis ruins and the antique pool). If you're pressed for time, book a small-group Pamukkale day tour from Selçuk (~£55 incl. transport and lunch) instead. Late afternoon bus from Denizli to Marmaris (~£10, 3h) for the night on the coast.
🚌Intercity buses ~£18 total
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse in Marmaris, ~£20
- →Pamukkale travertine terraces
- →Roman Hierapolis ruins
- →Antique thermal pool
Ferry Marmaris to Rhodes
Marmaris → Rhodes, Greece
Take the seasonal direct catamaran from Marmaris to Rhodes (~£45-60, 1h; runs roughly Apr-Oct — check schedules and book ahead as it's not daily year-round). Alternatively ferry via Fethiye/Kastellorizo or fly Dalaman–Rhodes on cheap carriers. Afternoon: wander the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, walk the Venetian castle walls and the Street of the Knights, then sunset drinks at the Mandraki harbour. Rhodes is also where you'll pick up a Greek SIM/eSIM (~£12 for 20GB).
🚌Marmaris–Rhodes catamaran ~£50
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Rhodes Old Town, ~£22
- →Rhodes medieval Old Town
- →Palace of the Grand Master (~£10)
- →Venetian city walls
Rhodes island time
Rhodes, Greece
A free day on Rhodes. Rent a scooter or use local buses to Lindos (~£5 return, 1h) for the acropolis and beach, or head to Anthony Quinn Bay and the west-coast beaches. Eat cheap gyros and Greek salad in the old town. This is the buffer day that makes the self-launched version work — you don't need to move every single day.
🚌Local bus to Lindos ~£5
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Rhodes Old Town
- →Lindos acropolis
- →Anthony Quinn Bay swim
- →Rhodes beach time
Fly Rhodes to Santorini via Athens
Rhodes → Santorini
There's no direct ferry Rhodes–Santorini, so do what independent travellers do: fly Rhodes–Athens (Aegean/Sky Express, ~£45-70 booked ahead) and connect same-day Athens–Santorini (~£40-60), or take the alternative route Rhodes–Athens ferry (~£40 overnight) then Blue Star ferry Athens–Santorini (~£35, 7h). Book Fira or Karterados accommodation (Karterados is 15 min walk from Fira and half the price). Evening: Oia or Fira sunset — go early, it's mobbed.
🚌Flights ~£110 (or ferry alternative ~£75)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Karterados/Fira, ~£30 (Santorini is the pricey island)
- →Sunset in Oia or Fira
- →Fira village wander
Santorini — beaches, caldera walks, wine
Santorini, Greece
Walk the Fira–Oia caldera trail (~3h, free, spectacular) or take the local bus. Afternoon at the black-sand beach at Perissa or Kamari (bus ~£2.50) and the red beach at Akrotiri. Optional boat trip to the volcano and hot springs (~£25 booked direct at the old port). Evening: a wine tasting at Santo Wines or a cheaper local taverna in Pyrgos.
🚌Local buses ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Karterados/Fira
- →Fira–Oia caldera hike
- →Red & black sand beaches
- →Volcano boat trip (optional)
Ferry Santorini to Mykonos
Santorini → Mykonos
Take the SeaJets or Golden Star fast ferry Santorini–Mykonos (~£45-60, 2.5-3h; slower Blue Star ~£30, 4h). Book on Ferryhopper at least a week ahead in high season. Afternoon in Mykonos Town: Little Venice, the windmills, and a swim at Ornos or a bus to Platis Gialos. Mykonos is expensive — stay in a hostel dorm or a room in Ano Mera for the best value.
🚌Fast ferry ~£50
🛏Hostel dorm or budget room in Mykonos Town/Ano Mera, ~£35
- →Little Venice & windmills
- →Mykonos beaches
- →Nightlife (optional)
Mykonos to Athens
Mykonos → Athens
Morning swim or a walk to Paraportiani church, then the fast ferry Mykonos–Athens (Rafina or Piraeus, ~£45-55, 3.5-5h) or a cheap flight (~£50). Arrive Athens, metro/bus from port to Monastiraki (~£5). Evening: rooftop view of the Acropolis lit up from a bar in Monastiraki or Psyrri, and a cheap souvlaki dinner.
🚌Ferry ~£50 plus port transfer
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Monastiraki/Plaka, ~£25
- →Paraportiani church
- →Monastiraki rooftop Acropolis views
Athens — Acropolis and the ancient city
Athens, Greece
Buy the Acropolis combined ticket (~£27, valid 5 days, covers Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Kerameikos, Temple of Olympian Zeus and more). Go at 8am opening. See the Parthenon, Propylaea, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike, then walk down through the Ancient Agora. Afternoon: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Panathenaic Stadium and the Evzones changing of the guard at Syntagma. Optional guided Acropolis tour on GetYourGuide ~£35.
🚌Walkable + metro ~£3
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Monastiraki/Plaka
- →Acropolis & Parthenon
- →Ancient Agora
- →Temple of Olympian Zeus
- →Changing of the guard at Syntagma
Athens — museums and departure
Athens, Greece
Morning at the Acropolis Museum (~£12) or the National Archaeological Museum (~£10) if you still have energy. Last gyros, then metro to the airport (~£8, 45 min). If your flight is late, drop bags at the hostel and do a final wander of Plaka and Anafiotika.
🚌Metro to Athens airport ~£8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Acropolis Museum
- →Plaka & Anafiotika wander
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,165 | £3,600 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,435 per person (68%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,165
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 Istanbul to Athens: Turkey & Greek Islands Self-Launched Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,165 per person for 14 days in Turkey & Greece. 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 On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £3,600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,165 — a saving of roughly £2,435 (68%) per person.
How long is the Turkey & Greece trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Turkey & Greece.
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 adventure, culture, beaches trip through Turkey & Greece, 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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