Turkey & Greece Self-Launched: Istanbul to Athens (21 Days)

Land at Istanbul Airport (IST) and take the Havaist airport bus to Sultanahmet/Taksim (~£3-4, 60-90 min) or the metro + Marmaray combo. Check into a hostel or guesthouse in Sultanahmet (near the sights) or Beyoglu (cheaper, more nightlife). Spend the evening on an orientation walk: Hippodrome square, Blue Mosque exterior at sunset, and dinner of balik ekmek or a cheap lokantasi. Buy an Istanbulkart transit card from a kiosk (card ~£2 plus credit) — it works on trams, metro, ferries and buses.

🚌Havaist airport bus to city centre (~£3-4)

🛏Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse, Sultanahmet/Beyoglu (~£14-20)

• →Evening orientation walk: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque exterior
• →Istanbulkart transit card setup

Do the classic old-city circuit yourself. Blue Mosque is free (dress modestly, avoid prayer times). Topkapi Palace ticket is around £30-35 with the Harem — book online to skip the queue. Walk to the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) in Eminonu, free entry, then cross the Galata Bridge for cheap grilled fish. If you want Hagia Sophia (paid entry as a mosque visitor area), the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar, do them on a self-paced second half of the day — a GetYourGuide old-city walking tour (~£25-35) is a decent substitute for the operator's optional $50 tour.

🚌Tram T1 Sultanahmet–Eminonu (~£1) — walkable

🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Sultanahmet (~£14-20)

• →Blue Mosque
• →Topkapi Palace & Harem
• →Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar)
• →Optional: Basilica Cistern (~£15)
• →Optional: GetYourGuide old-city walking tour (~£30)

Take an early morning bus from Istanbul's Esenler or Alibeykoy otogar to Canakkale (~5.5-6 hrs, £14-18 with Kamil Koc/Metro). From Canakkale, join a half-day Gallipoli battlefields tour — GetYourGuide/Klook run these for ~£30-40 including transport and a guide; alternatively take the ferry across to Eceabat and use the local minibus tours. Check the ANZAC sites: Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Anzac Cove. Evening walk along the promenade and see the Trojan Horse from the 2004 film.

🚌Intercity bus Istanbul–Canakkale (~£16, 6 hrs)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Canakkale (~£12-16)

• →Gallipoli battlefields half-day tour (~£35)
• →Canakkale promenade & Trojan Horse

Morning local dolmus or tour to Troy archaeological site (~£10-15 combi tour, entry ~£10). Then continue south by bus/minibus to Bergama for Pergamon and the Asclepeion (entry ~£10 each, cable car ~£4). A local lunch in Bergama is cheap (~£4-6). In the evening take the bus from Bergama/Izmir otogar to Izmir (~2 hrs, £6-9). Stay in Alsancak or Basmane — Basmane is cheapest and near the train station.

🚌Local buses + Bergama–Izmir intercity bus (~£10 total)

🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Izmir Alsancak/Basmane (~£14-18)

• →Troy archaeological site
• →Pergamon acropolis & Asclepeion
• →Cable car to Pergamon acropolis

Spend the morning in Izmir: Konak Square Clock Tower, Kemeralti bazaar (Kizlaragasi Han), and a cheap boyoz breakfast. Then take the IZBAN suburban train to Selcuk (~1.5 hrs, ~£2.50) for Ephesus — entry is ~£30 and the Terrace Houses add ~£12. The House of the Virgin Mary is a short dolmus ride away (~£3). Book a Klook/GetYourGuide guided Ephesus entry tour (~£45-60 with transport) if you want the context — still well below the operator's $75 optional. Return to Izmir by IZBAN late evening.

🚌IZBAN train Izmir–Selcuk return (~£5)

🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Izmir (~£14-18)

• →Izmir Clock Tower & Kemeralti bazaar
• →Ephesus ancient city & Terrace Houses
• →House of the Virgin Mary

Bus from Izmir to Denizli (~3.5-4 hrs, £10-12), then local minibus to Pamukkale village (~£2, 20 min). Afternoon at the Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis — combined ticket ~£30. Walk the white terraces (barefoot section), the Roman theatre, Apollo's Temple, Nymphaeum and the necropolis. Staying overnight in Pamukkale village means you get the terraces at sunset and sunrise without the day-trip crowds — a genuine upgrade over the coach-tour experience.

🚌Izmir–Denizli bus + local minibus (~£14 total)

🛏Pension in Pamukkale village (~£15-20)

• →Pamukkale travertine terraces
• →Hierapolis Roman theatre, Apollo's Temple, Nymphaeum, necropolis

Morning swim in the Antique Pool (Cleopatra's Pool) if you fancy it (~£12). Then bus Denizli–Antalya (~4 hrs, £12-15). Settle into Kaleici old town or the cheaper Lara/Konyaalti side. Evening stroll: Hadrian's Gate, Hidirlik Tower, Karaalioglu Park with views over the bay. Antalya's old town is very walkable and free to explore.

🚌Denizli–Antalya intercity bus (~£14, 4 hrs)

🛏Hostel dorm or pension in Kaleici (~£15-20)

• →Hadrian's Gate
• →Hidirlik Tower & Karaalioglu Park
• →Optional: Antique Pool at Pamukkale (~£12)

Take a local bus or dolmus to Perge (~£2) and Aspendos (~£3) — both have modest entry fees (~£10 each) and are far quieter than Ephesus. Alternatively a GetYourGuide Perge-Aspendos-Kursunlu half-day tour runs ~£35-45. Afternoon at the Antalya Archaeological Museum (~£10), one of Turkey's best. Evening: eat at a cheap esnaf lokantasi in the bazaar area (a full plate meal ~£4-6).

🚌Local dolmus to Perge and Aspendos (~£6)

🛏Hostel dorm or pension in Kaleici (~£15-20)

• →Perge ancient city
• →Aspendos Roman theatre
• →Antalya Archaeological Museum

This is a long travel day. Best value: overnight bus Antalya–Goreme (~10-11 hrs, £18-22), which passes Konya and the Sultanhani caravanserai (~£1 entry, a quick roadside stop on some services). Alternatively fly Antalya–Kayseri with a budget carrier (~£30-45) and take the £3 Havas shuttle to Goreme. Check into a cave hostel dorm in Goreme (~£15-22). If you take the bus, you'll arrive early morning — drop bags and nap.

🚌Overnight bus Antalya–Goreme (~£20) or budget flight to Kayseri (~£35)

🛏Cave hostel dorm, Goreme (~£15-22)

• →Sultanhani 13th-century caravanserai (en route)

Book the balloon flight directly with a Cappadocia operator or via Klook/GetYourGuide — expect £110-150 in shoulder season, £150-180 in peak (the operator's $230 is well above market). If the balloon is out of budget or cancelled for wind, the sunrise hike to Love Valley or Rose Valley is free and stunning. Afternoon: Red/Rose Valley self-guided hike, Goreme Open Air Museum (~£12), Uchisar Castle (~£5), and the pottery town of Avanos. A local full-day Green Tour (Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu underground city, Selime monastery) costs ~£25-35 booked locally — far below the tour's $60.

🚌Local dolmus and walking; Green Tour includes transport (~£30)

🛏Cave hostel dorm, Goreme (~£15-22)

• →Hot air balloon at sunrise (~£130)
• →Goreme Open Air Museum
• →Rose/Red Valley hike
• →Local Green Tour to Ihlara Valley & Derinkuyu (~£30)
• →Optional: Whirling Dervishes at a hammam/caravanserai (~£15)

Bus Goreme–Ankara (~5 hrs, £12-15). Visit Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum (free, allow 1.5 hrs), and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (~£8) — one of the finest collections of Hittite and Neolithic artefacts anywhere. Evening: cheap dinner in Kizilay, Ankara's student district. Note that most travellers skip Ankara; if you'd rather buy back a day, take the overnight bus straight to Istanbul instead.

🚌Goreme–Ankara bus (~£14, 5 hrs)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel, Kizilay (~£14-18)

• →Anitkabir (Ataturk's mausoleum)
• →Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

High-speed YHT train Ankara–Istanbul Pendik (~4.5 hrs, ~£10-12 if booked early on TCDD) — smoother and cheaper than the bus. Or a 5-hour bus (~£12). Settle into Beyoglu or Kadikoy this time for a different side of the city. Evening: Balat and Fener's colourful streets and churches, then Karakoy for a rooftop sunset drink or a cheap meyhane dinner in Asmali Mescit. A Bosphorus sunset cruise booked on GetYourGuide (~£10-15 for 2 hrs) is a tenth of the operator's $50.

🚌YHT high-speed train Ankara–Istanbul (~£11)

🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Beyoglu/Kadikoy (~£14-20)

• →Fener & Balat neighbourhoods
• →Karakoy & Galata
• →Bosphorus sunset cruise (~£12)

Fly Istanbul (IST/SAW) to Athens (ATH) — Pegasus or Aegean one-ways booked ahead run £45-80 without bags. From ATH, take Metro Line 3 to Monastiraki/Syntagma (~£8) or the cheaper X95 bus (~£5, 60 min). Base yourself in Monastiraki, Psyrri or Exarchia — central, walkable and cheapest. Buy a 5-day Athens transport pass (€8.20) if you'll be moving around. Evening in Plaka and Monastiraki: souvlaki and a walk under the Acropolis.

🚌Budget flight Istanbul–Athens (~£60) + Athens airport metro (~£8)

🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Monastiraki/Psyrri (~£20-28)

• →Plaka & Monastiraki evening walk

Book an Acropolis timed-entry ticket online (~£12-15, or the £28 combined pass covering the Agora, Kerameikos, Olympieion and more). Go at opening (8am) to dodge heat and crowds. Walk down to the New Acropolis Museum (~£10). Optional: a GetYourGuide Acropolis guided tour (~£30-40) gives the context the group tour's guide would have. Afternoon: Hill of the Muses / Filopappou for the best free Acropolis view, then the Ancient Agora. Evening: cheap gyros on Athinas Street (~£3).

🚌Walking / metro (~£1.50)

🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Monastiraki/Psyrri (~£20-28)

• →Acropolis & Parthenon (timed entry)
• →New Acropolis Museum
• →Filopappou Hill viewpoint
• →Ancient Agora (optional combined pass)

Take an early Blue Star ferry from Piraeus to Paros (~4 hrs, €40-45 / £35-40 in economy; fast ferries 3 hrs at ~£55). Book on the FerryHopper or Blue Star website a few days ahead — July/August sells out. From Parikia port it's a short walk to most guesthouses. Afternoon swim at Livadia beach (walking distance), sunset at Parikia's Panagia Katapoliani (Ekatontapyliani) church, the oldest church in Greece. Paros is much cheaper than Santorini — get your beach days in here.

🚌Blue Star ferry Piraeus–Paros (~£38)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Parikia (~£22-30)

• →Livadia beach
• →Panagia Katapoliani (Ekatontapyliani) church
• →Parikia old town walk

Local bus to Naoussa (~£2, 20 min) for the picture-perfect fishing harbour, then a bus to Pounta and the 7-minute car ferry to Antiparos (~£2 each way) for the cave and quiet beaches. Or rent a scooter/ATV for the day (~£20-25 with fuel) and hit Golden Beach, Faragas and Lefkes village. A small boat trip to Kolymbithres beach's rock formations is ~£10-15. Budget €15-20 for a taverna lunch — best value is a shared meze plate.

🚌Local bus to Naoussa & Pounta + Antiparos ferry (~£8)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Parikia (~£22-30)

• →Naoussa harbour village
• →Antiparos cave & beaches
• →Kolymbithres beach boat trip
• →Optional: scooter hire (~£22)

A slow island day. Bus to Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach) for windsurfing or just swimming (~£2), or hike the Byzantine trail from Lefkes to Prodromos (~3 hrs, free) through old marble paths and olive groves. Afternoon back in Parikia for a cheap gyros and a sunset beer by the port. If you want to see Mykonos, a day-ferry from Paros is 45 min-1 hr (~£25-30 return) — Wingbuddy couldn't add it, but you can.

🚌Local buses (~£4)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Parikia (~£22-30)

• →Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti)
• →Lefkes village & Byzantine trail hike
• →Optional: day trip to Mykonos (~£28 return ferry)

Morning ferry Paros–Santorini (~2 hrs fast ferry, €35-45 / £30-40; slower SeaJets/Blue Star alternatives). Stay in Karterados, Perissa or Kamari rather than Fira — dorms and rooms are £25-35 versus £60+ in Fira with caldera views. Local buses connect everywhere but run hourly-ish; allow time. Afternoon: walk the Fira–Firostefani–Imerovigli caldera path (free) and catch the sunset from Imerovigli — less packed than Oia.

🚌Fast ferry Paros–Santorini (~£35) + local bus (~£2)

🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse room, Karterados/Perissa (~£28-38)

• →Fira–Imerovigli caldera walk
• →Sunset at Imerovigli

Early bus to Oia before the cruise crowds (~£2), then walk down to Ammoudi Bay for a swim. Afternoon: Red Beach near Akrotiri or Perissa black-sand beach, and the Akrotiri Bronze Age excavation site if it's your thing (~£12). A half-day catamaran volcano-and-hot-springs cruise books on GetYourGuide/Viator for ~£30-45 — book direct with a local operator at the old port for less. Sunset from Oia Castle is free but brutal for crowds; the lighthouse at Akrotiri is a quieter alternative.

🚌Local buses (~£5)

🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse room, Karterados/Perissa (~£28-38)

• →Oia village & Ammoudi Bay
• →Red Beach / Perissa black-sand beach
• →Akrotiri archaeological site (~£12)
• →Volcano & hot springs boat trip (~£35)

Ferry Santorini–Piraeus (~5-8 hrs, £40-50 economy) or a budget flight Santorini–Athens (~£50-70, 45 min) if you're short on time — flying often wins on cost once you factor in a lost day. Back in Athens, base near Monastiraki again. Final evening: Plaka and Monastiraki souvenir stroll, a last cheap dinner in Psyrri, and a rooftop drink with an Acropolis view (many bars are free to enter).

🚌Ferry Santorini–Piraeus (~£45) or budget flight (~£60)

🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Monastiraki/Psyrri (~£20-28)

• →Plaka & Monastiraki evening stroll
• →Psyrri dinner

Metro Line 3 or the X95 bus to Athens Airport for your flight home (~£8 / £5). If your flight is late, use the morning for the National Archaeological Museum (~£10) or a walk up Lycabettus Hill for a free panoramic view. Double-check your Greek island ferry and Turkish bus tickets are all downloaded offline before you go.

🚌Athens airport metro (~£8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Optional: National Archaeological Museum
• →Lycabettus Hill viewpoint