Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia — Self-Launched
15 days · Turkey
G Adventures charges £1,529
No-markup version: ~£1,155 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, do-it-yourself version of G Adventures' 15-day 18-to-Thirtysomethings loop from Istanbul: Ottoman palaces and bazaars, Ankara, the fairy chimneys and cave churches of Cappadocia, the Turquoise Coast (Antalya, Kekova, Kaş, Fethiye), the white travertines of Pamukkale and Hierapolis, ancient Ephesus, legendary Troy and the Gallipoli battlefields. This version swaps the group bus and CEO for Turkey's excellent intercity coaches, a couple of cheap domestic flights and the odd shared boat trip — all bookable yourself via Obilet, GetYourGuide or direct with operators. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Istanbul — Sultanahmet & first-night meyhane
Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul (IST or SAW) and take the Havaist airport bus or M11 metro + tram to Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu (roughly 100–250 TRY). Check into a hostel dorm or simple guesthouse near the old city, then walk the Hippodrome at golden hour. In the evening, head to a meyhane in Kumkapı or a rooftop bar in Beyoğlu for mezes, grilled fish and an Efes — the DIY version of the tour's welcome drinks.
🚌Airport bus/metro to city centre (~£4), tram/walking in the old city
🛏Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse in Sultanahmet/Beyoğlu (approx. £15)
- →Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square stroll
- →Meyhane dinner with mezes and fish
- →Beyoğlu rooftop bar evening
Istanbul highlights self-guided walk, then night bus to Ankara
Istanbul → Ankara
Do your own version of the orientation walk: start at Hagia Sophia, cross to the Blue Mosque courtyard, wander the Hippodrome and push on to Topkapı Palace (use the free audio guide or a GetYourGuide skip-the-line ticket). Lunch on balık ekmek at Eminönü, then take the short tram to the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. In the evening, board an overnight intercity coach from Istanbul's Esenler or Alibeyköy otogar to Ankara (Metro Turizm/Pamukkale, ~6 hrs, book via Obilet).
🚌Trams/ferries within Istanbul (~£3); overnight coach Istanbul–Ankara (~£12)
🛏Overnight intercity coach (saves a night's accommodation)
- →Hagia Sophia
- →Blue Mosque
- →Topkapı Palace
- →Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
Ankara — Atatürk's Mausoleum and on to Cappadocia
Ankara → Göreme
Arrive early in Ankara, drop your bag at a café or luggage locker near Kızılay, and visit Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum — free entry, allow 1.5 hrs). Grab a quick lunch then take the afternoon coach or the fast YHT train to Kayseri, connecting by shuttle to Göreme (book the shuttle at the station or via your guesthouse). Settle into a cave guesthouse in Göreme or Uçhisar for the next two nights.
🚌Coach/train Ankara–Kayseri (~£10) + shuttle to Göreme (~£6)
🛏Cave guesthouse in Göreme (approx. £18)
- →Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum)
- →Kızılay market wander
Cappadocia — balloon at dawn, Göreme Open Air Museum & valleys
Göreme
Optional but unforgettable: a hot-air balloon flight at sunrise (£150–200, book well ahead via GetYourGuide or directly with a Cappadocia operator). Later, walk or take a dolmuş to the Göreme Open Air Museum to see the 10th–12th-century painted cave churches (ticket ~£12). In the afternoon do the self-guided Rose Valley or Love Valley hike past fairy chimneys, orchards and rock-cut churches. Evening: try a Turkish night show in a cave or hunt down testi kebab.
🚌Dolmuş and walking (~£3)
🛏Cave guesthouse in Göreme (approx. £18)
- →Sunrise hot-air balloon flight (optional)
- →Göreme Open Air Museum
- →Rose Valley / Love Valley self-guided hike
Cappadocia → Konya → Antalya
Antalya
Take a morning coach toward Antalya, breaking the journey in Konya to see the Mevlana Museum and the green-tiled tomb of Rumi (free/low-cost entry) and grab lunch. Continue on the afternoon coach to Antalya's otogar, then tram into the Kaleiçi old town. Check into a pension inside the old walls and take an evening orientation stroll down to the old harbour.
🚌Coach Göreme–Konya–Antalya (~£16) + local tram (~£2)
🛏Pension in Kaleiçi old town, Antalya (approx. £18)
- →Mevlana Museum and Rumi's tomb, Konya
- →Kaleiçi old town and harbour walk
Termessos ruins and Antalya beach time
Antalya
Take a local bus or dolmuş toward Korkuteli and hike up to Termessos, one of Turkey's best-preserved ancient cities, spectacularly perched in the mountains (allow 3–4 hrs round trip; bring water and good shoes). Alternatively, book a small-group Termessos tour on GetYourGuide. Return to Antalya for an afternoon swim at Konyaaltı or Lara beach, then dinner and drinks in Kaleiçi.
🚌Local bus/dolmuş to Termessos trailhead (~£3)
🛏Pension in Kaleiçi old town, Antalya (approx. £18)
- →Termessos ancient city hike
- →Konyaaltı or Lara beach afternoon
- →Kaleiçi night out
Kekova sunken city by boat
Kaş / Kekova
Coach from Antalya to Kaş (~4 hrs, ~£10), then a local dolmuş or shared boat from Üçağız to the Kekova sunken city and Simena castle. Day boats run from Kaş harbour or Üçağız and include a swim stop and a simple grilled lunch on deck (~£25–30). Stay in Kaş or the quieter village of Üçağız/Kale.
🚌Coach Antalya–Kaş (~£10) + dolmuş to Üçağız (~£3)
🛏Guesthouse in Kaş or Üçağız (approx. £18)
- →Kekova sunken city boat trip
- →Swim stops in the Mediterranean
- →Simena castle viewpoint
Turquoise Coast to Fethiye via Kaş
Fethiye
Linger over breakfast in Kaş, browse the pedestrian streets and boutiques, and lunch on gözleme by the harbour. In the afternoon take the coastal dolmuş or coach along the Turquoise Coast to Fethiye (~3 hrs, ~£7) via Kaputaş beach — hop off for a swim if you have time. Check into a hostel or pension near the marina and relax.
🚌Dolmuş/coach Kaş–Fethiye (~£7), optional Kaputaş beach stop
🛏Hostel or pension in Fethiye (approx. £16)
- →Kaş old town and harbour
- →Kaputaş beach swim
- →Fethiye marina evening
Fethiye — Ölüdeniz lagoon and Butterfly Valley
Fethiye
Free day with choices: dolmuş to Ölüdeniz for the Blue Lagoon and a paragliding flight off Babadağ if you're feeling brave (~£100–130, book via GetYourGuide); or take a boat trip to Butterfly Valley (kelebekler vadisi) and its hidden beach (~£25); or hike part of the Lycian Way. Back in Fethiye, eat at the fish market where you pick your fish and a restaurant cooks it.
🚌Dolmuş to Ölüdeniz (~£2)
🛏Hostel or pension in Fethiye (approx. £16)
- →Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
- →Optional paragliding from Babadağ
- →Butterfly Valley boat trip
- →Fethiye fish market dinner
Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis
Pamukkale
Coach inland toward Denizli/Pamukkale (~4 hrs, ~£10), passing orchards and inland villages. In the afternoon enter the white travertine terraces (combined ticket with Hierapolis, ~£12) — walk barefoot on the calcium pools, then explore the Roman ruins of Hierapolis, its theatre, necropolis and the antique Cleopatra's pool (extra ~£8 if you want to swim). Sunset over the cliffs is the money shot. Stay in Pamukkale village.
🚌Coach Fethiye–Denizli/Pamukkale (~£10) + local dolmuş (~£2)
🛏Guesthouse in Pamukkale village (approx. £16)
- →Pamukkale travertines
- →Hierapolis ancient city
- →Optional swim in Cleopatra's Antique Pool
Pamukkale → Selçuk: Ephesus at golden hour
Selçuk
Travel by dolmuş/coach via Denizli to Selçuk (~3.5 hrs, ~£10). Get settled, then visit Ephesus in the late afternoon when the tour buses have thinned (ticket ~£18; add the Terrace Houses for ~£8 if interested). Finish with a photo stop at the single remaining column of the Temple of Artemis and a stroll back through Selçuk's old town.
🚌Coach Denizli–Selçuk (~£10) + local transport (~£2)
🛏Guesthouse in Selçuk (approx. £16)
- →Ancient Ephesus
- →Terrace Houses (optional)
- →Temple of Artemis
Selçuk free day — Şirince village and cooking class
Selçuk
Full free day. Take a dolmuş up to Şirince, a hillside village of whitewashed houses famous for fruit wines and olive oil, and hike gently among the old streets. Back in Selçuk visit the Basilica of St John and İsa Bey Mosque, or book a home cooking class (via GetYourGuide or your guesthouse) to learn mezes, gözleme or pide. Evening: dinner and a drink in town.
🚌Dolmuş to Şirince (~£2)
🛏Guesthouse in Selçuk (approx. £16)
- →Şirince village and fruit wine tasting
- →Basilica of St John
- →Turkish cooking class (optional)
Selçuk → Çanakkale and ancient Troy
Çanakkale
Long travel day: coach from Selçuk to Çanakkale (~6 hrs via İzmir or Ayvalık, ~£18). Drop bags at a hostel or hotel near the ferry port, then take a local minibus to the Troy archaeological site (~30 min, ~£2; site ticket ~£12) to see the nine layers of the legendary city and pose with the wooden Trojan horse replica. Back in Çanakkale, walk the seafront promenade for dinner.
🚌Coach Selçuk–Çanakkale (~£18) + minibus to Troy (~£4)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Çanakkale (approx. £16)
- →Troy archaeological site
- →Trojan horse photo stop
- →Çanakkale seafront promenade
Gallipoli battlefields and ferry to Istanbul
Çanakkale → Istanbul
Book a Gallipoli battlefields guided day tour through GetYourGuide or a local Çanakkale operator (~£35–45) covering Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and the war cemeteries, with the Eceabat ferry crossing included. Alternatively, DIY it by ferry to Eceabat (~£2) and use local taxis/minibuses between sites. In the late afternoon take the coach or ferry+bus back to Istanbul (~5 hrs, ~£15).
🚌Gallipoli tour transfers + coach/ferry to Istanbul (~£15)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Istanbul (approx. £15)
- →Gallipoli battlefields guided tour
- →Anzac Cove and Lone Pine
- →Eceabat ferry crossing
Istanbul farewell — Bosphorus and departure
Istanbul
Last morning: take the public Bosphorus ferry (Şehir Hatları, ~£2) from Eminönü toward Anadolu Kavağı for cheap water views of the palaces and fortresses, or do a short public Bosphorus cruise. Squeeze in a final simit and Turkish coffee, pick up baklava and lokum for the flight home, then head to the airport by Havaist bus or metro.
🚌Bosphorus ferry (~£2) + airport bus/metro (~£4)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Public Bosphorus ferry
- →Last simit and Turkish coffee
- →Souvenir shopping for baklava and lokum
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,155 | £1,529 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £374 per person (24%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,155
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 Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,155 per person for 15 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 £1,529 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,155 — a saving of roughly £374 (24%) per person.
How long is the Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 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 backpacker, culture, beaches 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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