Self-Launched Istanbul, Ankara & Cappadocia in 6 Days
6 days · Turkey
Eskapas charges £1,155
No-markup version: ~£405 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the guided group tour and explore Turkey's most iconic destinations on your own terms — same ancient wonders, same jaw-dropping landscapes, a fraction of the price. This self-launched route takes you from the Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur of Istanbul through the Turkish capital Ankara to the otherworldly fairy chimneys and cave hotels of Cappadocia. Travel by high-speed train and budget domestic flight, stay in well-rated hostels and guesthouses, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current solo budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Istanbul
Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) and make your way into the city independently. Take the Havaist airport bus (around £3) or the metro to your hostel in the Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu neighbourhood — both are perfectly placed for sightseeing. Check in, get your bearings, and take a gentle evening stroll along the Bosphorus waterfront. Try a classic Turkish street meal — a simit, a balık ekmek (fish sandwich) near Galata Bridge, or head to a lokanta for a plate of mezes.
🚌Havaist airport bus to city centre ~£3, or metro via M11 line
🛏Cheers Hostel or World House Istanbul (Sultanahmet area) — dorm from ~£12/night or private from ~£30/night
- →Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) — take the Havaist bus or metro into the city (~£3)
- →Check in to a hostel or guesthouse in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu
- →Evening stroll along the Bosphorus and Galata Bridge
- →Street food dinner: simit, balık ekmek, or a lokanta meal (~£5-8)
Istanbul: Sultanahmet Highlights & Bosphorus Cruise
Istanbul
A packed day exploring Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district — all landmarks are within easy walking distance of each other. Start early at Hagia Sophia (free entry), then cross the square to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, then book a self-bookable Bosphorus cruise via GetYourGuide or directly at the Eminönü ferry terminal — the public Şehir Hatları ferry is a budget-friendly option at around £2 for a 90-minute cruise. In the afternoon, wander freely through the Spice Market (free to enter) and the Grand Bazaar (free to enter).
🚌All Sultanahmet sights are walkable; use the tram (T1 line, ~£0.60/ride) for longer stretches
🛏Cheers Hostel or World House Istanbul
- →Visit Hagia Sophia — free entry, book a timed slot online to avoid queues
- →Visit Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) — free entry
- →Explore the ancient Hippodrome and its monuments — free
- →Bosphorus cruise: public Şehir Hatları ferry from Eminönü (~£2) or 1.5hr tour via GetYourGuide (~£12)
- →Browse the Spice Market (Mısır Çarşısı) — free entry
- →Explore the Grand Bazaar — free entry, great for souvenir shopping
Topkapi Palace, Then Train to Ankara
Istanbul to Ankara
Start the morning with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the opulent seat of the Ottoman sultans. Book entry tickets online in advance via the Turkish Ministry of Culture website (~£15 entry, Harem extra ~£7). After exploring the palace and its stunning views over the Bosphorus, head to Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme or Pendik station to board the YHT high-speed train to Ankara. The journey takes around 4–4.5 hours and is a comfortable, scenic ride through the Anatolian steppe. Arrive in Ankara in the early evening, check in, and enjoy a Turkish dinner near Kızılay Square.
🚌YHT high-speed train Istanbul → Ankara, ~£18–25 booked via TCDD website
🛏Metropol Hotel Ankara or Divan Çukurhan-style guesthouse — budget option from ~£25/night
- →Morning visit to Topkapi Palace — book tickets online (~£15, Harem ~£7 extra)
- →Explore the palace courtyards, treasury, and Bosphorus terraces
- →Transfer to Pendik or Söğütlüçeşme station via metro or tram
- →Board the YHT high-speed train to Ankara (~4–4.5 hrs, ~£18–25 booked via tcdd.gov.tr)
- →Arrive Ankara, check in, dinner near Kızılay Square (~£8–12)
Ankara Sightseeing, Then Onward to Cappadocia
Ankara to Cappadocia
Make the most of Ankara's unmissable landmarks before heading east. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (one of the world's great archaeology museums, ~£4 entry) then walk up to Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — entry is free and the views over Ankara are superb. In the late afternoon, take an overnight bus or early evening bus from Ankara's AŞTİ bus terminal to Göreme or Nevşehir in Cappadocia (operated by companies like Metro Turizm or Süha Turizm, ~£15–20, approx. 4.5–5 hours). Alternatively, take a budget domestic flight (~£25–50 on Pegasus or Turkish Airlines from Ankara Esenboğa to Kayseri or Nevşehir airports).
🚌Bus from Ankara AŞTİ to Göreme/Nevşehir via Metro Turizm or Süha Turizm (~£15–20), or budget flight Ankara → Kayseri (~£25–50 on Pegasus)
🛏Kelebek Cave Hotel or Traveller's Cave Pension, Göreme — dorm from ~£14, private cave room from ~£35/night
- →Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations — entry ~£4
- →Visit Anıtkabir (Mausoleum of Atatürk) — free entry
- →Lunch near the citadel (Ankara Kalesi) area
- →Head to AŞTİ bus terminal and board a bus to Göreme/Cappadocia (~£15–20, ~5 hrs)
- →Arrive Göreme, check in to a cave hotel or guesthouse
Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys, Göreme & Underground City
Cappadocia
An incredible full day in one of the world's most surreal landscapes. Wake before dawn if you've pre-booked a hot air balloon ride (optional, book directly with a local operator like Butterfly Balloons or via GetYourGuide, ~£150–180). After breakfast, explore the Göreme Open Air Museum — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rock-carved Byzantine churches (~£8 entry, book online). Hire a scooter or join a small group tour to visit Uçhisar Castle, the fairy chimneys of Derbent Valley, and Devrent Valley's natural rock formations. In the afternoon, visit Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground City (~£5 entry) — fascinating multi-level subterranean cities carved by early Christians. Round off the day with a sunset at the Sunset Point viewpoint above Göreme — completely free and unmissable.
🚌Rent a scooter from a local shop in Göreme (~£18–25/day) or join a minibus day tour (~£20–30)
🛏Kelebek Cave Hotel or Traveller's Cave Pension, Göreme
- →Optional: Hot Air Balloon ride at sunrise — book via GetYourGuide or direct with Butterfly Balloons (~£150–180)
- →Visit Göreme Open Air Museum — ~£8 entry, book online to skip queues
- →Explore Uçhisar Village and Castle — great panoramic views (~£3 castle entry)
- →Scooter hire for the day or join a small group valley tour (~£15–25)
- →View the fairy chimneys in Derbent/Devrent Valley — free
- →Visit Derinkuyu Underground City — ~£5 entry
- →Sunset at Göreme Sunset Point — free
Morning in Cappadocia, Then Fly Back to Istanbul
Cappadocia to Istanbul
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your cave hotel and take one last morning walk through Göreme's rose-tinted valleys if time allows. Then transfer to Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) airport for a short domestic flight back to Istanbul. There are 7–8 daily departures; book in advance with Pegasus Airlines or Turkish Airlines for the best prices (~£25–60). You'll be back in Istanbul within 1.5–2 hours. Transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your onward journey, or extend your trip if you're not flying home just yet.
🚌Shuttle or dolmuş to Kayseri Airport (~£5–8); Pegasus/Turkish Airlines flight Kayseri → Istanbul (~£25–60)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final morning stroll through Göreme or Rose Valley — free
- →Transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir airport by shuttle (~£5–8 via local dolmuş or shuttle bus)
- →Domestic flight back to Istanbul — ~£25–60 on Pegasus or Turkish Airlines, ~1h40m
- →Arrive Istanbul Airport (IST) for onward connections
Self-launched vs. Eskapas
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Eskapas | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£405 | £1,155 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £750 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Eskapas-style trips? Check them out here.~£405
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 Self-Launched Istanbul, Ankara & Cappadocia in 6 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £405 per person for 6 days in Turkey. 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 £1,155 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £405 — a saving of roughly £750 (65%) per person.
How long is the Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Turkey.
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, city-breaks trip through Turkey, 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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