Six Days in Turkey: Antalya to Istanbul Self-Launched

Start your adventure in Antalya. Head to Antalya Otogar (main bus station) and book a ticket with Metro Turizm or Kamil Koç to Konya — buses run several times daily and the journey takes around 4–5 hours (~£8–10). On arrival in Konya, drop your bags at your guesthouse and head straight to the Mevlana Museum (entrance ~£2), the former dervish lodge and mausoleum of the Sufi poet Rumi. Stroll the atmospheric old town and ask your guesthouse host for the best local spot for an Etli Ekmek (Konya-style flatbread) or a hearty kebab dinner — budget around £5–8 for a solid meal.

🚌Intercity bus Antalya → Konya via Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm (~£8–10)

🛏Rumi Guesthouse or similar budget guesthouse in central Konya (~£15–20/night)

• →Take a Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm intercity bus from Antalya Otogar to Konya (~4.5 hrs, ~£8–10)
• →Visit the Mevlana Museum and Rumi Mausoleum (self-entry, ~£2)
• →Explore the Konya old town on foot
• →Dinner at a local lokanta — try Etli Ekmek or beyran soup (~£5–8)

Catch an early morning bus from Konya Otogar to Nevşehir or Göreme (~3.5–4 hrs, ~£7–9). On arrival, check into your cave hotel or hostel in Göreme — this is one of the highlights of any Turkey trip. In the afternoon, visit Kaymakli Underground City independently (entrance ~£8; take a dolmuş minibus from Göreme for ~£1 each way). Then head to Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley — both are free to walk and easily accessible by dolmuş or on foot from Göreme. For dinner, book a local family dining experience through GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£20–25) for a home-cooked Turkish meal. Alternatively, several family-run restaurants in Göreme offer a similarly warm, home-style atmosphere for ~£8–12. Round the evening off with a walk around Göreme to soak up the fairy chimney landscape.

🚌Intercity bus Konya → Göreme/Nevşehir (~£7–9); local dolmuş minibuses in Cappadocia (~£1–2 per trip)

🛏Cave hostel or guesthouse in Göreme (e.g. Shoestring Cave Hostel or Kelebek Cave Hotel, ~£15–25/night)

• →Bus from Konya to Göreme/Nevşehir (Kamil Koç or Süha Tur, ~3.5–4 hrs, ~£7–9)
• →Kaymakli Underground City (self-entry, ~£8; dolmuş from Göreme ~£1 each way)
• →Walk Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley (free, dolmuş access ~£1)
• →Traditional pottery demonstration — book via GetYourGuide (~£10–15) or visit a local workshop in Avanos
• →Traditional home-cooked dinner via GetYourGuide local experience or family restaurant (~£20–25 booked, or ~£8–12 at a local lokanta)

Rise before dawn for the iconic Cappadocia hot air balloon ride at sunrise — book directly with Butterfly Balloons, Royal Balloon, or Kapadokya Balloons for the best rates (~£150–180 for a standard flight, book at least a few days ahead). If balloons aren't your thing, head to the hill behind Göreme at sunrise for incredible free views as the sky fills with colour. Spend the rest of the day freely — hike the Rose Valley or Love Valley trails (free, maps available at your guesthouse), rent a scooter (~£20–25/day) to explore further, or simply café-hop in Göreme. In the evening, hike up to the Göreme Sunset Point or Uçhisar Castle (~£3 entry) for panoramic sunset views over the valleys.

🚌Walking and local dolmuş (~£1–2); optional scooter rental (~£20–25/day)

🛏Cave hostel or guesthouse in Göreme (~£15–25/night)

• →Sunrise hot air balloon flight — book direct with Butterfly Balloons or Royal Balloon (~£150–180 standard)
• →OR free sunrise viewing from Göreme Hill behind town
• →Hike Rose Valley or Love Valley (free, ~2–3 hrs)
• →Optional: rent a scooter to explore Cappadocia independently (~£20–25/day)
• →Sunset hike to Göreme viewpoint or Uçhisar Castle (~£3 entry)

A full free morning to explore at your own pace before your overnight bus. Head out early on the Red Valley (Kızılçukur) hike, which passes through Meskendir and Rose Valley — look out for the cave church with well-preserved Byzantine frescoes (free trail, ~3–4 hrs round trip). Back in Göreme, browse the local markets for ceramics, carpets, and Turkish lamps — great for souvenirs. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum independently (entrance ~£8, a must-do UNESCO site with cave churches and frescoes). In the evening, head to Nevşehir Otogar (or use the hotel shuttle) and board your overnight bus to Istanbul with Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm (~12 hrs, ~£18–22). Buses have reclining seats, air con, and power outlets.

🚌Overnight bus Nevşehir → Istanbul with Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm (~£18–22)

🛏Overnight bus (sleeper-style reclining seats)

• →Red Valley (Kızılçukur) hike through Meskendir and Rose Valley (free, ~3–4 hrs)
• →Göreme Open Air Museum (self-entry, ~£8)
• →Browse local markets for ceramics and Turkish crafts
• →Optional: Mosaic lamp workshop in Göreme (~£20–30, book locally or via GetYourGuide)
• →Overnight bus Göreme/Nevşehir → Istanbul (Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm, ~12 hrs, ~£18–22)

Arrive at Istanbul's Esenler Otogar early morning. Take the metro (M1 line) into the city centre (~£0.50) and drop your bags at your hostel. After a quick rest, make your way to the Fener and Balat districts on the Golden Horn — one of Istanbul's most photogenic and historically rich neighbourhoods. Walk the colourful streets independently using a free map from your hostel or Google Maps; key spots include the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Bulgarian Iron Church, and the street art alleys of Balat. Grab a mid-morning simit (sesame ring, ~£0.30) from a street cart. For lunch, try börek and Turkish tea at a traditional pastane (pastry shop) for ~£3–5. Spend the afternoon exploring further — cross the Galata Bridge to Karaköy, climb the Galata Tower (~£7), or wander the Grand Bazaar (free entry). Ask at your hostel for the best neighbourhood spots for dinner.

🚌Istanbul metro and trams (Istanbulkart, ~£0.50 per ride)

🛏Hostel in Sultanahmet or Karaköy (e.g. World House Hostel or Cheers Hostel, ~£18–25/night)

• →Metro from Esenler Otogar to city centre (M1 line, ~£0.50)
• →Self-guided walk through Fener and Balat districts (free; use Google Maps or download a free neighbourhood guide)
• →Visit the Bulgarian Iron Church and Ecumenical Patriarchate (free or small donation)
• →Börek and Turkish tea lunch at a local pastane (~£3–5)
• →Optional: Galata Tower (~£7)
• →Optional: Grand Bazaar browse (free entry)
• →Optional: Kadıköy food tour via GetYourGuide (~£35–45 self-booked)

Your final morning in Istanbul — make the most of it! Rise early and walk to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and Hagia Sophia (entry ~£12) before the crowds arrive. Grab a classic Turkish breakfast at a local kahvaltı salonu (breakfast restaurant) — a spread of cheeses, olives, eggs, and bread for ~£5–8. If time allows, stroll through Topkapı Palace gardens or browse the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) for last-minute souvenirs. Head to your departure point (Atatürk or Sabiha Gökçen airports by metro/bus) when ready. Istanbul is a city you'll want to return to — consider extending your stay by a few days to explore further.

🚌Istanbul metro or Havaş airport bus to departure airport (~£3–5)

🛏Hostel checkout (may store luggage until departure)

• →Early morning visit to Blue Mosque (free entry, modest dress required)
• →Hagia Sophia (entry ~£12)
• →Traditional Turkish breakfast at a local kahvaltı salonu (~£5–8)
• →Spice Bazaar browse (free entry)
• →Optional: Topkapı Palace (entry ~£18)
• →Departure: metro/bus to Atatürk (M1) or Sabiha Gökçen airport (Havaş bus, ~£3–5)