Turkey Five City Itinerary: Istanbul to Göreme by Air and Road

Who this route is for, and the short answer

Can you see Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya and Göreme in one trip? Yes, but only with about 11 nights and a willingness to fly. Turkey is big. These five places are spread across the whole west and centre of the country, and the distances between them are measured in hours, not minutes.

With a week, drop two stops. Istanbul plus Göreme is a classic pairing. Istanbul plus one coast also works well. With 11 to 14 nights, the route below is comfortable rather than frantic.

The route that makes geographic sense

Go in this order: Istanbul → Izmir → Bodrum → Antalya → Göreme. It sweeps down the Aegean, along the south coast and then inland, so you never double back.

• Istanbul, 3 nights. The only stop that justifies three. Skimp here and you will regret it.
• Izmir, 2 nights. A base for a day visit to Ephesus, plus the waterfront and bazaar quarter in the evening.
• Bodrum, 2 nights. Castle, harbour and swimming. It is a resort town, so treat it as a rest stop.
• Antalya, 2 nights. The old town of Kaleiçi and the harbour. Ancient Perge and Aspendos are day visits from here.
• Göreme, 2 nights. Cappadocia's valleys and rock-cut churches. This one needs a night, not a day.

When to fly, drive, take rail or a boat

Fly: Istanbul to Izmir (about an hour in the air) and Antalya to Göreme. Göreme is served by the airports at Nevşehir and Kayseri, each with a road transfer afterwards. Flying home from there usually goes via Istanbul.

Drive or take a coach: Izmir to Bodrum is a few hours by road, so it is not worth a flight. Bodrum to Antalya is the awkward leg: most of a day on the road, and direct flights are limited, so you may connect through Istanbul. Check both options before booking, and check one-way drop-off rules if you rent a car.

Rail: It is not useful here. Turkey's rail network will not link these five stops sensibly, so do not plan around it.

Boats: They are for day trips, not transfers. Bodrum's boat days and Istanbul's Bosphorus cruises are about the sea itself.

Day visit or overnight stay?

Ephesus, Perge and Aspendos are day visits from a base. Göreme is an overnight stay: balloon flights, when weather allows, leave at dawn, so expect a very early start and a possible cancellation. Bodrum and Antalya are hot in high summer. Plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon, and swim in the middle.

Where Helios fits: Istanbul

The Helios trips featured here are all in Istanbul. For Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya or Göreme, send us an enquiry and ask about a guide based there. Spend your Istanbul nights on these:

• The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia guided tour starts at 09:00 or 13:30, takes about three hours and is a shared small group of up to 12. It covers the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia's upper gallery. Getting to the meeting point in Sultanahmet is up to you.
• The Topkapi Palace and Harem tour also starts at 09:00 or 13:30, with up to 12 guests in a shared group. It runs through the Treasury, the Harem, the imperial kitchens and the Golden Horn terraces.
• The Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish night show is a three-hour shared evening on a large boat, with up to 15 guests in the small-group format. Expect a lively show with belly dancing and a DJ rather than a quiet dinner. Hotel pickup is an option.

Do one morning tour and the cruise on the same day, not both palaces back to back. For more, see our 3 days in Istanbul itinerary, the guide to getting around Istanbul and the best time to visit Istanbul.

What to verify on official sites before you book

• Domestic flight schedules, especially Bodrum–Antalya and Antalya–Göreme, which change by season.
• Opening days and ticket rules for Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Ephesus and the Cappadocia sites, plus any dress rules for mosques.
• Balloon operator licences and cancellation terms in Göreme.
• Entry and visa requirements for your passport, on the Turkish government's e-visa pages.

Turkey five city itinerary FAQ

How many days do I need for these five cities?

Plan on about 11 nights to avoid rushing. With fewer, cut Bodrum or Izmir first, since Istanbul and Göreme are the hardest to shortcut.

Is it better to fly or drive between them?

Fly for the long legs, such as Istanbul to Izmir and Antalya to Göreme. Drive or coach Izmir to Bodrum. Bodrum to Antalya is the one leg that needs checking before you commit.

Does Helios run tours in all five cities?

The trips featured in this article are Istanbul tours. For the other four cities, send us an enquiry and ask about a guide based there.

Are the Helios Istanbul tours private?

No. All three featured tours are shared small-group formats, with up to 12 guests on the two palace and mosque tours and up to 15 on the cruise.