Turkey Uncovered — Self-Launched
14 days · Turkey
G Adventures charges £2,150
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 14-day self-launched loop from Istanbul covering the big-hitters of western and central Turkey: Ottoman Istanbul, the Gallipoli battlefields, Troy and Pergamon, Ephesus and Şirince, the white terraces of Pamukkale, the Lycian-flavoured coast at Antalya, Konya's Sufi heritage and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Instead of a private van and a group CEO you'll use Turkey's excellent intercity buses (Pamukkale, Kamil Koç, Süha), the odd domestic flight and municipal ferries — all bookable the day before for a fraction of the tour price. Guided highlights are swapped for self-bookable audio guides, GetYourGuide day tours and local guides, and nights are in hostels and family-run pensions rather than tour hotels. Costs are approximate backpacker/mid-range estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Istanbul — Sultanahmet orientation
Istanbul
Land at IST or SAW and get into town yourself: from IST take the Havaist airport bus to Sultanahmet/Yenikapı (~£2.50, 60-90 mins) or the M11 metro + Marmaray combo for under £2; from SAW use the Havabus to Kadıköy or Taksim (~£1.50) then ferry/metro across. Check into a hostel or pension in Sultanahmet or Karaköy (dorms £12-18, private budget rooms £30-45). Spend the evening wandering the Hippodrome and grabbing a cheap iskender or balık ekmek by the Galata Bridge.
🚌Havaist bus or metro from airport (~£2.50)
🛏Hostel dorm or family pension, Sultanahmet/Karaköy (£15-35)
- →Havaist airport bus into the city
- →Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square walk
- →Galata Bridge sunset and street food
Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Istanbul
Buy a Topkapı Palace ticket online (~£30 with Harem) and go at opening to beat the queues — allow 2-3 hours for the treasury, pavilions and harem. Hagia Sophia entry is free but expect long security lines; the Blue Mosque is free and best between prayers. In the afternoon dive into the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, or pay ~£10 for the Basilica Cistern (book a timed slot on GetYourGuide). Evening: cheap meyhane dinner in Kumkapı or a simit-and-tea walk along the Marmara walls.
🚌Walking + Istanbulkart tram rides (~£2)
🛏Hostel dorm or family pension, Sultanahmet (£15-35)
- →Topkapı Palace self-guided visit
- →Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
- →Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
- →Basilica Cistern (optional, timed ticket)
Istanbul to Çanakkale — Gallipoli battlefields
Çanakkale
Take an early morning bus from Istanbul's Esenler or Alibeyköy otogar to Çanakkale (~5.5-6 hrs, £12-16 with Pamukkale or Kamil Koç; book on biletyomat or at the otogar the day before). Drop bags at a Çanakkale hostel or pension, then join a half-day Gallipoli battlefield tour (GetYourGuide/Viator, ~£35-45) covering Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair with a guide who explains the campaign far better than any leaflet. Back in town, stroll the waterfront promenade and eat at the fish market.
🚌Intercity bus ~£14; Gallipoli tour minibus included in tour price
🛏Hostel or pension, Çanakkale centre (£15-30)
- →Intercity bus Istanbul to Çanakkale
- →Gallipoli battlefields half-day tour (GetYourGuide)
- →Çanakkale waterfront evening walk
Troy and Pergamon, then on to Selçuk
Selçuk
Catch the local dolmuş or minibus from Çanakkale to Troy (Truva) in the morning (~45 mins, £1.50) and explore the nine layers of the city and the replica wooden horse with an audio guide (~£10 entry). Alternatively take a half-day Troy tour from Çanakkale (~£30) which includes transport and commentary. In the afternoon take a bus south via Bergama (~3 hrs), where you can hop off for the Pergamon Acropolis cable car and ruins (~£12 entry) if you have energy, then continue by bus to Selçuk (~1.5 hrs). Check into a Selçuk guesthouse near the basilica.
🚌Dolmuş + intercity buses (~£12)
🛏Guesthouse or pension, Selçuk (£15-28)
- →Troy archaeological site with audio guide
- →Pergamon Acropolis (optional stop in Bergama)
- →Bus connections down the Aegean coast
Ephesus, Terrace Houses and a Şirince cooking class
Selçuk
Get to Ephesus for opening (bus or dolmuş from Selçuk, £1; entry ~£28 including Terrace Houses — buy online to skip the ticket queue). Walk the Curetes Street, Library of Celsus and Great Theatre early before the coach crowds. In the afternoon take a dolmuş to the hill village of Şirince (£1) and book a village cooking class (~£35-45 via GetYourGuide or directly with a local family kitchen) — you'll shop the market and cook Aegean dishes for lunch. Wander the olive-and-grape-farm views with a Turkish tea, then return to Selçuk for a cheap dinner.
🚌Dolmuş buses (~£3)
🛏Guesthouse or pension, Selçuk (£15-28)
- →Ephesus and Terrace Houses self-guided visit
- →Dolmuş to Şirince village
- →Aegean cooking class (GetYourGuide)
- →Şirince village walk and tea houses
Laodikeia and Pamukkale's white terraces
Pamukkale
Take a morning bus from Selçuk toward Denizli (~3 hrs, £8-10) and ask the driver to drop you near Laodikeia (or continue to Denizli and double back by dolmuş) for a self-guided wander of the ruins and the church of Laodicea (~£5 entry). Then on to Pamukkale village by dolmuş (£1) and check into a pension. Spend the afternoon walking the travertine terraces barefoot (entry ~£12, includes Hierapolis) and the Roman theatre and necropolis above; bring a swimsuit for the antique pool if you want the mineral soak (£12 extra).
🚌Intercity bus + dolmuş (~£10)
🛏Pension in Pamukkale village (£18-30)
- →Laodikeia ruins self-guided visit
- →Pamukkale travertines walk
- →Hierapolis ancient city
- →Antique pool swim (optional)
Termessos 'Eagle's Nest' and Antalya old town
Antalya
Bus from Denizli to Antalya (~4-4.5 hrs, £12-14), then use the local bus to Termessos trailhead (or a shared taxi) and hike the ~45 mins up to the mountain-top city, perched at 1,000 m among wild goats and pine — arguably Turkey's most dramatic ruin and much quieter than Ephesus (entry ~£4). Packed lunch on the ancient theatre. Return to Antalya's Kaleiçi old town for the evening and stay in a hostel in the cobbled lanes (£15-25 dorm).
🚌Intercity bus ~£13 + local bus ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Kaleiçi Antalya (£15-28)
- →Bus Denizli to Antalya
- →Termessos hike and ruins
- →Kaleiçi old town evening walk
Free day in Antalya — Perge, museum or Lara Beach
Antalya
Pick your own pace: take the tram and local bus to the Roman ruins of Perge (~£8 entry, 2-3 hrs), or the excellent Antalya Archaeological Museum (~£10) which explains the region's ruins better than any guide. Alternatively head to Lara or Konyaaltı beach for a swim and a cheap lunch. Evening back in Kaleiçi for a fish dinner at the old harbour or a Hammam (~£20).
🚌Local tram and buses (~£3)
🛏Hostel dorm, Kaleiçi Antalya (£15-28)
- →Perge ancient city
- →Antalya Archaeological Museum
- →Lara Beach swim
- →Turkish bath (optional)
Aspendos and Konya's Mevlana Museum
Konya
Bus from Antalya to Konya via Aspendos and Beyşehir (~6 hrs total with stops; buy a direct Konya ticket ~£12 and hop off at Aspendos with a dolmuş, or take a half-day Aspendos tour from Side/Antalya if you prefer). Aspendos Theatre (~£8) is the best-preserved Roman theatre anywhere, and the 13th-century Eşrefoğlu Mosque in Beyşehir is a bonus. Arrive Konya in the late afternoon and head to the free Mevlana Museum before closing (~5.30pm), then eat etli ekmek in the bazaar district and stay in a central guesthouse.
🚌Intercity buses (~£14)
🛏Guesthouse near Mevlana, Konya (£15-28)
- →Aspendos Theatre
- →Eşrefoğlu Mosque, Beyşehir
- →Mevlana Museum and gardens, Konya
Silk Road caravanserai, Derinkuyu and a Whirling Dervish night
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Bus from Konya to Cappadocia (~4 hrs, £10-12) — a direct Göreme/Nevşehir bus lets you ask the driver to pause at Sultanhanı Caravanserai (entry ~£3) built in 1229 on the Silk Road. Base yourself in Göreme (hostel dorm £12-18, cave hostels from £20). In the afternoon take a dolmuş to Derinkuyu Underground City (~£4 entry) and descend eight levels of kitchens, stables and chapels. Book a Whirling Dervish ceremony in a caravanserai that evening (~£18-25 direct or GetYourGuide).
🚌Intercity bus + dolmuş (~£12)
🛏Hostel dorm or cave guesthouse, Göreme (£12-30)
- →Sultanhanı Caravanserai
- →Derinkuyu Underground City
- →Whirling Dervish ceremony (GetYourGuide/direct)
Göreme Open-Air Museum and fairy chimney hike
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Walk or take the local bus to the Göreme Open-Air Museum at opening (~£14 entry, audio guide ~£4) for the painted cave churches of the Orthodox monks, then hike the Pigeon Valley or Love Valley trail back into town (4-6 km, well-marked). Optional early-morning balloon flight if you book months ahead (~£150-180 — the single biggest optional splurge, worth it if budget allows). In the afternoon explore Uçhisar Castle or a Turkish bath, and have dinner in a village home via a local cooking experience (~£20).
🚌Walking and dolmuş (~£3)
🛏Hostel dorm or cave guesthouse, Göreme (£12-30)
- →Göreme Open-Air Museum
- →Love Valley / Pigeon Valley hike
- →Uçhisar Castle
- →Hot-air balloon flight (optional, book ahead)
- →Village home-cooked dinner
Fly back to Istanbul — Bosphorus cruise, Galata, Karaköy
Istanbul
Book a cheap Kayseri or Nevşehir → Istanbul domestic flight (£25-40 one-way on Turkish Airlines/AnadoluJet if booked ahead) with the shuttle from Göreme to the airport (~£7). Back in Istanbul, check into a hostel in Karaköy or Beyoğlu, then take the public Şehir Hatları Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü (~£1.50-3) instead of a tour boat — sunset views of the Ottoman palaces and skyline for pocket change. Climb Galata Tower (~£12) if the queue is short, then eat in Karaköy.
🚌Domestic flight + airport shuttle + ferry (~£45)
🛏Hostel dorm, Karaköy/Beyoğlu (£15-30)
- →Shuttle to Kayseri/Nevşehir airport
- →Domestic flight to Istanbul
- →Bosphorus ferry cruise (public ferry)
- →Galata Tower and Beyoğlu backstreets
Dolmabahçe Palace, Balat and Istanbul's Asian side
Istanbul
Use your Istanbulkart for a full day of wandering: Dolmabahçe Palace (~£20), then walk down to Karaköy, ferry across to Kadıköy (~£1) for the market streets and cheap lunch, or explore the colourful houses of Balat and Fener by tram. Squeeze in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (~£8) or the Great Palace Mosaics if they appeal. Last-night dinner at a rooftop or a sandwich at Karaköy Güllüoğlu for baklava.
🚌Trams, ferries and metro on Istanbulkart (~£6)
🛏Hostel dorm, Karaköy/Beyoğlu (£15-30)
- →Dolmabahçe Palace
- →Balat and Fener neighbourhood walk
- →Kadıköy market ferry trip
- →Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (optional)
Depart Istanbul
Istanbul
Depending on your flight, squeeze in one last Turkish breakfast in Karaköy or the Grand Bazaar for souvenirs, then take the Havaist bus or metro back to IST/SAW (~£2.50). If you have a late flight, leave bags at the hostel and explore the Süleymaniye Mosque and its surroundings for free.
🚌Havaist bus or metro to airport (~£2.50)
🛏Departure day
- →Turkish breakfast
- →Last-minute bazaar shopping
- →Havaist bus to airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £2,150 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £970 per person (45%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,180
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 Turkey Uncovered — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 per person for 14 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 £2,150 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 £970 (45%) per person.
How long is the Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 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, hiking 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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