Self-Launched Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Ephesus & Bodrum in 13 Days
13 days · Turkey
Dorak Tours charges £2,530
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Dorak Tours' 13-day "World Wonders" circuit — Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Bodrum — done independently via Turkey's excellent domestic buses, budget flights and cheap guesthouses. You hit the same headline sights (Hagia Sophia, Göreme, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Bodrum castle) with self-bookable tours and public transport, at roughly a third of the guided group price. Costs are approximate per-person estimates in GBP based on current backpacker/budget-traveller rates; realistically you can cut them further by cooking and taking overnight buses.
Day-by-day
Arrive Istanbul – Sultanahmet
Istanbul
Land at Istanbul Airport (IST). Skip the pricey airport taxi and take the Havaist bus to Sultanahmet/Sirkeci (~£4, 60–90 min) or the metro + Marmaray combo (~£2.50). Check into a Sultanahmet hostel or small guesthouse and spend the evening wandering the Hippodrome square and grabbing a cheap balık ekmek (fish sandwich) by the water. Get an Istanbulkart transit card from a kiosk or machine — it works on metro, tram, ferry and bus and cuts every journey to roughly 60–80p.
🚌Havaist airport bus ~£4 or metro+Marmaray ~£2.50
🛏Sultanahmet hostel or budget guesthouse (dorm £10–15 / private £22–30)
- →Settle in Sultanahmet
- →Sunset walk on the Hippodrome
- →Bosphorus-side balık ekmek dinner
Istanbul historic core – Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı
Istanbul
Self-launched walking day through the old city on foot. Hagia Sophia entry is now paid (~£20); the Blue Mosque is free (dress modestly, women cover hair). Topkapı Palace is ~£25 with the Harem extra — decide if it's worth it, or swap for the free Sultanahmet square stroll. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are free to wander. If you want context, a GetYourGuide/Istanbul Welcome Card combo or a small-group old-city tour runs £25–40 — or just download an audio guide for a couple of pounds. Optional private Bosphorus boat tour is far cheaper booked direct from Eminönü public ferry (~£1.50) than as a group add-on.
🚌Walk + tram (Istanbulkart ~70p/ride)
🛏Sultanahmet hostel or budget guesthouse
- →Hagia Sophia (~£20)
- →Blue Mosque (free)
- →Topkapı Palace (~£25)
- →Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar (free)
- →Optional public Bosphorus ferry (~£1.50)
Fly to Cappadocia – Göreme
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Take the metro/tram to Istanbul Airport and fly to Kayseri or Nevşehir (Pegasus/Turkish, book early for £25–45). From the airport, a shared shuttle (havas) to Göreme is ~£5, or a public bus to Nevşehir then dolmuş. Check into a cave-style hostel or budget pension in Göreme. In the afternoon, explore Göreme Open Air Museum on your own (~£12 entry) — the rock-cut churches and frescoes are the highlight.
🚌Domestic flight Istanbul–Kayseri/Nevşehir £25–45 + shared shuttle £5
🛏Göreme cave hostel/pension (dorm £12–18 / private £28–40)
- →Göreme Open Air Museum (~£12)
- →Rock-cut churches & chapels
- →Sunset viewpoint over Göreme
Cappadocia green/red tour day – underground cities & valleys
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Book a small-group Red or Green tour via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£25–35 including lunch) — this covers Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city, Pigeons' Valley (Güvercinlik), Uçhisar Castle viewpoint, Avanos pottery village and a local lunch. Alternatively rent a scooter/Vespa (~£20/day) and/or use the cheap local dolmuş network to do it yourself. Pottery workshops in Avanos are essentially free to watch; hands-on sessions run ~£15–25.
🚌Included in day tour, or dolmuş (~£1/ride)
🛏Göreme cave hostel/pension
- →Underground city (Derinkuyu/Kaymaklı)
- →Pigeons' Valley & Uçhisar Castle
- →Avanos pottery village
- →Local lunch included on tour
Ihlara Valley hike & Rose Valley sunset
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Join a small-group Ihlara Valley tour (~£30) or take a dolmuş to Ihlara and hike the 2-mile canyon with its 450 steps down to the Melendiz river, visiting rock-cut churches along the way. On the way back, stop at the Three Beauties (Üç Güzeller) viewpoint and catch sunset over Rose Valley — one of the best free experiences in Turkey. NOTE: the famous hot-air balloon flight (~£150–180 booked direct with operators like Butterfly or Royal, far below the operator's $285) is a splurge; book 1–2 days ahead as flights often sell out.
🚌Dolmuş/shared minibus or day tour
🛏Göreme cave hostel/pension
- →Ihlara Valley hike & rock churches
- →Three Beauties viewpoint
- →Rose Valley sunset
- →Optional hot-air balloon (~£150–180 direct)
Cappadocia to Antalya via Konya (Mevlana)
Antalya
Make the long haul south. Best value: overnight or daytime bus via Konya (~£20–25, 9–11 hrs) — break the journey at Konya to see the Mevlana Museum (Rumi's tomb, free/small donation) and optionally Aspendos on arrival near Antalya. Faster but pricier: fly Kayseri–Antalya (£40–70). On arrival, check into Antalya's old town (Kaleiçi) hostel. The Taurus Mountains scenery en route is spectacular.
🚌Intercity bus via Konya ~£20–25, or flight £40–70
🛏Kaleiçi (Antalya old town) hostel (dorm £12–18 / private £28–40)
- →Mevlana Museum, Konya (free/small donation)
- →Optional Aspendos Theatre
- →Kaleiçi old town evening wander
Antalya – Perge, Aspendos & Kursunlu Waterfalls
Antalya
Do the Antalya archaeological circuit independently. Public bus/dolmuş to Perge ancient city (~£1) and Aspendos with its stunningly preserved Roman theatre (~£12 entry), then Kursunlu Waterfalls (bus + ~£1.50 entry). A combined Antalya museum pass saves money if you're seeing several sites. Back in town, swim at Konyaaltı or the free Mermerli beach by the old harbour. Hammam in Kaleiçi is ~£15–30 — far below the operator's resort spa prices.
🚌Local buses/dolmuş ~£1–2 each
🛏Kaleiçi hostel
- →Perge ancient city (~£12)
- →Aspendos Roman theatre (~£12)
- →Kursunlu Waterfalls (~£1.50)
- →Optional hammam (~£15–30)
Antalya to Pamukkale via bus
Pamukkale
Bus Antalya to Denizli/Pamukkale (~£12–15, 4–5 hrs). Check into a Pamukkale village pension. Spend the afternoon at the white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis on top — one combined ticket (~£15) covers the travertines, Hierapolis, the Roman theatre, Temple of Apollo and the necropolis. Swim in the antique Cleopatra's Pool if you fancy (~£8).
🚌Intercity bus ~£12–15
🛏Pamukkale village pension (dorm £10–15 / private £25–35)
- →Pamukkale travertine terraces (~£15 combined ticket)
- →Hierapolis ancient city, theatre, Temple of Apollo, necropolis
- →Optional Cleopatra's Antique Pool (~£8)
Pamukkale to Selçuk for Ephesus
Selçuk (Ephesus)
Bus or train to Selçuk (~£8–12, 3–4 hrs). Check into a Selçuk hostel. Afternoon at Ephesus — the Library of Celsus, the great theatre and the marbled streets (~£20 entry). Then walk to the scant remains of the Temple of Artemis and the nearby Basilica of St John. A cheap audio guide or GetYourGuide small-group tour (~£25) adds context if you want it. Turkish breakfast in Selçuk is a highlight and usually included at hostels.
🚌Bus/train ~£8–12
🛏Selçuk hostel (dorm £10–15 / private £25–35)
- →Ephesus ancient city (~£20)
- →Library of Celsus & Great Theatre
- →Temple of Artemis (free)
- →Basilica of St John (small fee)
Selçuk to Bodrum
Bodrum
Bus Selçuk (İzmir/otogar) to Bodrum (~£10–14, 3–4 hrs). Check into a Bodrum hostel or budget pension in the old town. Spend the afternoon exploring Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology (~£12), the lively marina and the bazaar. Cheap dinner of mezze and grilled fish at a lokanta.
🚌Intercity bus ~£10–14
🛏Bodrum old town hostel/pension (dorm £15–20 / private £30–45)
- →Bodrum Castle & Underwater Archaeology Museum (~£12)
- →Bodrum marina & bazaar
- →Mezze dinner at a lokanta
Bodrum beach & peninsula day
Bodrum
Free day: swim at one of the peninsula beaches (Gümbet, Bitez or Ortakent), reachable by cheap dolmuş (~£1). Hire a sunbed or find a quiet cove for nothing. Optional boat trips around the peninsula (~£20–25) or a Turkish hammam in the bazaar (~£15–30). Jet boat rides and the like are available dockside if you want the adrenaline hit — book and pay locally rather than in advance.
🚌Dolmuş to beaches ~£1 each way
🛏Bodrum old town hostel/pension
- →Swim at Bitez/Gümbet beach
- →Optional peninsula boat trip (~£20–25)
- →Optional hammam (~£15–30)
Bodrum to Istanbul
Istanbul
Fly Bodrum (Milas–Bodrum, BJV) to Istanbul (Pegasus/Turkish, book early £25–45). Alternatively the long overnight bus (~£20, 11–12 hrs) via the coastal route if you're strictly on a budget. Back in Istanbul, check into a hostel in Beyoğlu or Sultanahmet and enjoy a farewell dinner along İstiklal Caddesi — cheap Adana kebab or a rooftop view without the group-dinner price tag.
🚌Domestic flight £25–45 (or overnight bus ~£20)
🛏Istanbul hostel (dorm £10–16 / private £25–35)
- →İstiklal Caddesi evening stroll
- →Farewell dinner in Beyoğlu
- →Optional evening ferry under the bridges
Departure from Istanbul
Istanbul
Last Turkish breakfast, then head to IST via Havaist bus or metro+marmaray (~£2.50–4). If your flight is late, squeeze in the Galata Tower or a final bazaar run. Depart.
🚌Havaist bus/metro to Istanbul Airport ~£2.50–4
🛏N/A
- →Final Turkish breakfast
- →Optional Galata Tower
Self-launched vs. Dorak Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Dorak Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £2,530 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,350 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Dorak Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,180
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 Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Ephesus & Bodrum in 13 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 per person for 13 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 Dorak Tours?+
Yes — Dorak Tours charges around £2,530 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,180 — a saving of roughly £1,350 (53%) per person.
How long is the Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 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, budget, backpacker 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?
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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