Turkey travel guide: where to go and how to get around
Turkey is big, and the usual mistake is to cross it in a week. A short trip works best with two or three bases: Istanbul for the city, Cappadocia for the landscape, and the Aegean or Mediterranean coast for the sea. Flights join them quickly. Pick the bases first, then look at what sits around each one.
The short answer
- First trip
- Istanbul, then Cappadocia, then a few days on the coast. That covers the city, the landscape and the sea without much backtracking.
- How long
- Five days for Istanbul and Cappadocia. Ten days adds a coastal base such as Antalya or Bodrum. Two weeks lets you add Ephesus or Pamukkale on the way.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October. July and August are hot on the coast and busy everywhere. Winter suits Istanbul and the snow in Cappadocia.
- Getting around
- Fly between regions, take the high-speed train between Istanbul and Ankara, and use long-distance buses or a hire car for the rest.
- Money
- The Turkish lira, with cards taken widely in cities and resorts. Carry some cash for small shops, tea houses and tips.
- Book ahead
- Cappadocia hot-air balloon flights, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı timed tickets, and domestic flights in summer.
Best cities to visit in Turkey
Istanbul
A city on two continents, with mosques, bazaars, ferries and the best food in the country. It suits first-timers and anyone who likes to walk.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Antalya
A Mediterranean base with an old harbor quarter, beaches and the Taurus mountains behind. It suits sun, ruins and day trips along the coast.
Give it 3 to 5 days
Cappadocia
Rock valleys, cave hotels and balloons over the villages at sunrise. It suits couples, photographers and anyone who wants scenery after a city.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Bodrum
A castle, a marina and bays on the Aegean, quiet in spring and lively in summer. It suits beach breaks with good dinners.
Give it 3 to 5 days
Beyond the cities
Ephesus and Selçuk
The best-preserved Roman city on the Aegean, about an hour from Izmir airport. Go early or late to avoid the cruise groups.
Pamukkale
White mineral terraces with the ruins of Hierapolis above them. It is a long day from the coast, so stay a night if you can.
Mount Nemrut
Giant stone heads on a summit in the east, reached from Adıyaman or Malatya. It takes a flight and a drive, so it suits a longer trip.
The Lycian coast
Fethiye, Kaş and the small harbors between them, with rock tombs and clear water. A hire car makes it easy from Antalya or Dalaman.
Turkey itineraries
- Five days: Istanbul and Cappadocia
Three nights in Istanbul, then a short flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir for two nights in Cappadocia. Book the balloon for the first morning so a canceled flight can move to the second.
- Seven days: Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast
Three nights in Istanbul, two in Cappadocia, then fly to Antalya for two. Keep the coast to one base and add a day trip rather than moving hotels again.
- Ten days: the west and the center
Four nights in Istanbul, a flight to Izmir for Ephesus, three nights on the Aegean at Bodrum, then fly back through Istanbul to Cappadocia for the last three. Some days are mostly transfer, so count them as such.
Best time to visit Turkey
Spring and autumn are the safe answer. April to June and September to October are warm without being hot, the sea is swimmable on the coast from late May, and Istanbul is pleasant to walk in. Cappadocia is cool at dawn in both seasons, so bring a layer for the balloons.
July and August bring heat, especially inland and on the Mediterranean, and the resorts are at their fullest. Winter is quiet and cheap on the coast, much of which slows down, while Istanbul stays busy and Cappadocia can have snow.
How to get around Turkey
- FlightsDistances are long, so domestic flights are the quickest way between Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast. Several airlines fly the main routes, and summer seats sell out.
- TrainsTCDD runs high-speed trains between Istanbul and Ankara, in about four and a half hours, and on to Konya and other cities. The network is thin elsewhere, so do not plan a trip around it.
- BusesLong-distance coaches go almost everywhere, are comfortable and cost less than flying. Overnight runs save a hotel night but make for tired mornings.
- Hire carsWorth it for Cappadocia's villages, the Lycian coast and the Bodrum peninsula. Check what your license needs and what the hire company charges for tolls.
- Ferries and local transportIstanbul's ferries cross the Bosphorus and are the nicest way to commute. In every city, a prepaid transport card is cheaper than single tickets.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Turkey. Each city guide has its own list.
- Cappadocia balloon flight3 to 4 weeks ahead
Flights are limited, weather cancels some, and the good slots go first in spring and autumn.
- Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palacea few days ahead, more in summer
Hagia Sophia has charged foreign visitors a separate ticket since January 2024, and museum passes do not cover it, so check the official site.
- Domestic flights4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer
Fares rise and the early and late flights fill first on the Istanbul to Cappadocia and coast routes.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe Turkish lira (TRY). Exchange or withdraw a little on arrival and keep the rest on a card.
- Cards and cashVisa and Mastercard are accepted widely in cities, hotels and resorts, including most taxis. Small shops, tea houses and rural stops may want cash.
- TippingRound up a taxi fare. In a restaurant, leave around 10 percent if service is not already added, and check the bill first.
- Tourist taxesA national accommodation tax of 2 percent has applied to hotel stays since January 2023, and it is normally added to the bill. Local rules can differ, so check the booking.
- EntryRules depend on your passport. Some nationalities need an e-visa, issued only on the official site, evisa.gov.tr: check before you book.
- PlugsType C and F, 230 volts. A European adaptor is enough.
What to skip in Turkey
- Crossing the country by road in one trip
The distances are bigger than they look on a map. Fly, and keep each trip to two or three bases.
- Carpet and leather shop 'tours'
A free guide or driver who ends at a shop is paid by it. Say no, and visit one you chose yourself if you want a carpet.
- Peak-summer inland days
Midday heat at Ephesus, Pamukkale and in Cappadocia is hard going. Go early, or visit in spring and autumn.
Turkey: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Turkey?
Five days gives you Istanbul and Cappadocia. Ten days adds a coast base such as Antalya or Bodrum. Turkey is large, so a short trip is better with fewer places.
What are the best places to visit in Turkey?
Istanbul, Cappadocia and a coastal base such as Antalya or Bodrum make a good first trip. Ephesus and Pamukkale are the most popular additions, and the Lycian coast suits a longer one.
What are the best places to visit in Turkey other than Istanbul?
Cappadocia for the landscape, Antalya and Bodrum for the sea, Ephesus for Roman ruins and Pamukkale for the terraces. Each works as a base for a few days.
How do you get around Turkey?
Fly between regions, use the high-speed train between Istanbul and Ankara, and take coaches or a hire car for the rest. Ferries are the way to cross Istanbul's Bosphorus.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Rules depend on your passport. Some nationalities need an e-visa, issued only on the official site, evisa.gov.tr: check before you book.
What is the best time to visit Turkey?
April to June and September to October. They are warm without the peak summer heat, and the coast is still pleasant to swim from late May.
Can you use cards in Turkey?
Yes, in cities, hotels, resorts and most taxis. Keep some lira for small shops, tea houses and rural areas.
Is Turkey good for a city break?
Istanbul is one of Europe's best city breaks, and a short flight adds Cappadocia or the coast. Give Istanbul three or four days and keep the rest simple.