The Best of Turkey — Self-Launched
8 days · Turkey
G Adventures charges £1,899
No-markup version: ~£590 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Same iconic Turkish highlights — Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale — at a fraction of the group tour price. Swap the private van and bundled hotel package for intercity buses, local dolmuş minibuses, and well-rated guesthouses. Turkey has excellent independent travel infrastructure: Kamil Koç, Metro Turizm, and Pamukkale bus lines connect every stop on this route cheaply and reliably. You'll hit every must-see on the original itinerary while saving hundreds of pounds — and gaining the freedom to linger wherever you like.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Istanbul
Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) — budget airlines like Wizz Air and easyJet serve both from major UK airports. Take the Havaist shuttle bus or metro into the city (£2–4). Check into a well-rated hostel or guesthouse in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu. Spend the afternoon wandering the Grand Bazaar and Galata Bridge for free. Grab a classic Turkish street meal — simit, döner, or balık ekmek (fish sandwich) — from a waterfront stall.
🚌Havaist shuttle bus or metro from airport to city centre (~£3)
🛏Agora Guesthouse or Sultan Hostel, Sultanahmet (~£18–25/night)
- →Explore the Grand Bazaar (free entry)
- →Walk across Galata Bridge and watch the fishermen
- →Optional: Self-book an Istanbul walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£18pp)
- →Evening tea at a rooftop çay evi in Sultanahmet
Istanbul to Çanakkale via Gallipoli
Gallipoli & Çanakkale
Take an early morning bus from Istanbul's Esenler bus terminal to Çanakkale (approx. 5–6 hours, ~£12) with Metro Turizm or Kamil Koç — book online the day before. En route, stop at Gallipoli: many bus companies stop near Eceabat, from where you can join a well-regarded guided Gallipoli battlefield tour (Crowded House Tours or Hassle Free Tours run excellent half-day options for ~£25pp, bookable directly or via GetYourGuide). The tour covers ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Take the short ferry across the Dardanelles to Çanakkale (~£1). Check into a central guesthouse and explore the lively harbour waterfront.
🚌Istanbul Esenler bus terminal to Eceabat/Çanakkale with Metro Turizm (~£12); Dardanelles ferry (~£1)
🛏Anzac House Hostel or Hotel Limani, Çanakkale (~£18–22/night)
- →Gallipoli battlefield guided tour including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair (~£25pp, book via GetYourGuide or direct)
- →Ferry across the Dardanelles to Çanakkale (~£1)
- →Stroll Çanakkale's harbour and evening meal at a lokanta (traditional Turkish canteen)
Troy, then on to Ayvalık
Troy & Ayvalık
Catch a local dolmuş from Çanakkale bus station to the ruins of Troy (30 min, ~£2 return). Entry to the Troy archaeological site costs around £10. Explore the ruins independently — a site map and audio guide are available on arrival, or download the free izi.travel app before you go. Don't miss the famous replica Trojan Horse for that obligatory photo. Return to Çanakkale and board an afternoon bus south to Ayvalık (~2.5 hours, ~£7). Check into a guesthouse in this charming Aegean harbour town and explore the old Greek quarter on foot.
🚌Dolmuş Çanakkale–Troy return (~£2); bus Çanakkale–Ayvalık (~£7)
🛏Ayvalık Palas Otel or a Aegean guesthouse (~£20–28/night)
- →Troy archaeological site (self-guided with audio guide app, entry ~£10)
- →Photo with the replica Trojan Horse
- →Explore Ayvalık's old Greek quarter and waterfront at leisure
- →Optional: Ayvalık boat trip around local islands (~£15, book locally at harbour)
Ancient Ephesus & Selçuk
Selçuk & Ephesus
Take a morning bus from Ayvalık south to Selçuk (approx. 2.5 hours, ~£8 with Pamukkale or İzmir bus lines). Drop your bags at your guesthouse — many in Selçuk are within walking distance of the Ephesus gates. Walk or take a short dolmuş (£1) to the Ephesus archaeological site. Entry is around £18pp but absolutely worth it — one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and Harbour Street. Spend at least 3 hours. Return to Selçuk for the evening and visit the nearby Basilica of St John (free or minimal entry).
🚌Bus Ayvalık–Selçuk (~£8); dolmuş to Ephesus gate (~£1)
🛏Homeros Pension or ANZ Guesthouse, Selçuk (~£18–25/night)
- →Ephesus archaeological site (self-guided, entry ~£18)
- →Library of Celsus and Great Theatre
- →Basilica of St John, Selçuk (free or minimal entry)
- →Evening meal in Selçuk — try local köfte and fresh Aegean meze
Şirince Village & Selçuk Rest Day
Şirince & Selçuk
Take a short dolmuş from Selçuk up to the hill village of Şirince (20 min, ~£2 return) — a beautiful former Greek settlement now famous for its fruit wines, olive oil, and handicrafts. Wander the cobbled lanes, browse local stalls, and try the pomegranate or strawberry wine. Back in Selçuk by early afternoon, visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in town (entry ~£5) which houses many original finds from the site. Slow afternoon — ideal for catching up, visiting the local market, or relaxing before the journey to Pamukkale tomorrow.
🚌Dolmuş Selçuk–Şirince return (~£2)
🛏Homeros Pension or ANZ Guesthouse, Selçuk (~£18–25/night)
- →Şirince village visit by dolmuş (~£2 return)
- →Sample local fruit wines and browse handicraft stalls
- →Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Selçuk (~£5)
- →Evening stroll around Selçuk's stork-nest column and central square
Hierapolis & the White Cliffs of Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Catch a morning bus from Selçuk to Pamukkale via Denizli (approx. 3 hours total, change at Denizli, ~£10). Check into a guesthouse right in Pamukkale village — many have rooftop pools fed by thermal water. Head straight to the UNESCO World Heritage site: the dazzling white calcium terraces are free to walk on (remove shoes at the gate). Entry to the full Hierapolis–Pamukkale complex (including the Roman theatre and Hierapolis necropolis) is around £18. Late afternoon, take a dip in Cleopatra's Antique Pool — an open-air thermal pool with submerged Roman columns (~£18, bookable at the site). Watch the sunset over the cotton-white cliffs — one of Turkey's most iconic views.
🚌Bus Selçuk–Denizli then dolmuş to Pamukkale (~£10 total)
🛏Melrose House or Hal-Tur Hotel, Pamukkale village (~£20–28/night)
- →Pamukkale travertine terraces — walk the white calcium pools (included in site entry ~£18)
- →Hierapolis Roman theatre and necropolis
- →Cleopatra's Antique Pool thermal swim (~£18)
- →Sunset views over the terraces from the hilltop
Fly Back to Istanbul — City Orientation
Istanbul
Take a dolmuş or taxi to Denizli Çardak Airport (DNZ) for a short domestic flight back to Istanbul (~£30–55 one-way with Pegasus Airlines or Turkish Airlines — book 2–3 weeks ahead for best prices). Arrive in Istanbul with a full afternoon ahead. Head to Sultanahmet for the classic Istanbul orientation: walk past the Hagia Sophia (entry ~£18), the Blue Mosque (free, closed during prayer times), and Topkapı Palace (entry ~£20). End the evening in Beyoğlu — stroll İstiklal Avenue, take the historic Tünel funicular, and have dinner in Karaköy.
🚌Dolmuş/taxi to Denizli airport (~£8); domestic flight Denizli–Istanbul with Pegasus (~£40 avg); metro/bus from airport (~£3)
🛏Agora Guesthouse or Sultan Hostel, Sultanahmet (~£18–25/night)
- →Hagia Sophia (entry ~£18, book timed entry online in advance)
- →Blue Mosque exterior and courtyard (free)
- →Topkapı Palace (entry ~£20, or view exterior for free)
- →İstiklal Avenue and Beyoğlu neighbourhood evening stroll
Istanbul — Final Exploration & Departure
Istanbul
Final morning in Istanbul — use it well. Visit the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) in Eminönü for souvenirs and local treats like Turkish delight, saffron, and dried fruit. If time allows, take a self-booked Bosphorus cruise (public ferry IETT line from Eminönü is just ~£2 and gives you the same views as expensive tour boats). Head to the airport with plenty of time — allow 90 minutes from Sultanahmet. Depart refreshed and full of baklava.
🚌Metro or Havaist shuttle to Istanbul Airport (~£3–5)
🛏Check-out (no accommodation needed)
- →Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) — free to browse
- →Bosphorus public ferry from Eminönü (~£2 for a scenic ride)
- →Optional: Self-book Bosphorus cruise via GetYourGuide (~£15) for a guided commentary version
- →Last Turkish breakfast at a neighbourhood kahvaltı spot
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£590 | £1,899 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,309 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£590
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 The Best of Turkey — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £590 per person for 8 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,899 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £590 — a saving of roughly £1,309 (69%) per person.
How long is the Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 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, history, 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?
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