2-Day Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour from Istanbul with Flights

2 Days

Departure from

Istanbul
Transportation

Airplane
Tour type

Group
Group Size

15 - 20
Language

English
Best season

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov

Itinerary Overview:

Embark on a short but unforgettable journey with this 2-Day Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour from Istanbul. Fly to Denizli to see the mineral-rich Red Springs of Karahayit, walk barefoot across the dazzling Pamukkale Travertines (White Cliffs), and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, including its Theatre, Temple of Apollo, and Necropolis. Overnight in Kuşadası. On day two, step back in time at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. Visit the Library of Celsus, Great Theater, Temple of Hadrian, the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, the site of the Temple of Artemis, and the elegant Isa Bey Mosque. With domestic flights, guided tours, hotel, and meals included, this program is the perfect way to see two of Turkey’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites in just two days. Limited on time but want to see Turkey’s highlights? Book your Pamukkale & Ephesus tour from Istanbul today and turn two days into a lifetime of memories!

Trip Highlights:

Karahayit Red Springs
Pamukkale Travertines (Cotton Cliffs)
Hierapolis Ancient City – Theatre, Necropolis & Temple of Apollo
Ephesus Ancient City – Library of Celsus, Great Theater & Temple of Hadrian
House of the Virgin Mary
Temple of Artemis (site)
Isa Bey Mosque
1 night in Kuşadası with breakfast
Domestic flights from Istanbul included

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day
1

Fly Istanbul to Denizli – Pamukkale Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul at approximately 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Denizli, subject to availability, between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to Pamukkale to start your full-day guided tour.

The tour begins at around 10:45 am with a visit to the Red Spring Waters in Karahayit, known for their unique mineral-rich red waters. Afterward, you will continue to Pamukkale to explore the ancient city of Hierapolis starting at 11:30 am. During this exploration, you will visit various historical highlights, including the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantine Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium, and the Theatre.

After exploring the ancient city, you will have some free time to enjoy the natural beauty of Pamukkale. If you wish, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional and at your own expense). Later, you will walk down the Pamukkale Travertines, also known as the White Cliffs. Please note that this walk is done barefoot to help preserve these delicate natural formations.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you will begin the scenic drive to Kusadasi, lasting approximately 3.5 hours. You can expect to arrive and check in to your Kusadasi hotel at around 7:30 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day
2

Ephesus Tour – Fly Back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. Your guide will provide a brief overview of the day’s activities. The first stop is the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Next, you will explore the ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well-preserved site of its kind in the world. During your visit, you will walk along the Frontinus Street and see impressive structures such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, and the Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre. These remarkable structures give you an insight into the architectural and cultural grandeur of ancient Ephesus.

After visiting this impressive site, you will take a break for lunch. Following lunch, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a holy place for both Christians and Muslims, where it is believed she spent her final days.

Afterward, you will visit the Isabey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for a late evening flight back to Istanbul (between 7:00 – 10:00 pm).

Please note: Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the price.

END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (only on the European side).
Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Denizli, and Izmir to Istanbul.
1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
English-speaking guide during the tours.
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch).
Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your Istanbul hotel upon returning.
Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
Services not specified in the program.
Dinner and drinks.
Travel insurance (recommended).

Important notes

The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
The normal arrival time in Istanbul at the end of your tour is between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book your international return flight on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that departs no earlier than 1:30 AM the following morning to avoid missing it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will I receive confirmation after making a reservation?

Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. This covers pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the airport, as well as all airport-hotel transfers throughout the tour. However, please note that when you return to Istanbul at the end of the tour, the service will conclude at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Transfer to your hotel or chosen address from the airport will not be provided, so you will need to arrange this on your own.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.

Can you swim in Pamukkale?

Yes, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools during your free time. This activity is optional and comes at an additional cost. The tour guide will provide you with the exact meeting point and time for rejoining the group afterward.

What is the luggage allowance for domestic flights during the tour?

On domestic flights in Turkey, the luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 lbs) per person for checked baggage. For carry-on luggage, you are allowed one piece weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per person. If your total luggage weight per person is within these limits, you should be fine.

Please note that any excess luggage weight over 15 kg for checked baggage will incur additional charges by the airlines. These extra charges are not included in the tour price and are your responsibility to pay directly to the airline at the time of check-in. We recommend packing accordingly to avoid any unexpected fees.

Your luggage is your own responsibility throughout the tour. Please ensure that you handle any issues related to overweight or excess baggage directly with the airlines.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, notify One Nation Travel at least 5 days before the tour starts. For requests received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from your paid balance. For requests received less than 5 days before the tour starts, and for no-shows, the full amount paid is non-refundable.

Will I travel with the same group and guide throughout the tour?

Our multi-day Turkey packages are regular group/shared tour arrangements, not fully escorted tours with one tour leader and the same guests from arrival to departure. Sightseeing tours are shared and usually operate with about 15-20 guests, but group size and participants may change by city or day as travelers join or leave different scheduled tours. Licensed English-speaking guides lead scheduled sightseeing visits only. Guides do not travel with guests on domestic flights, intercity buses, airport transfers, hotel transfers, or free-time periods unless this is specifically stated in the itinerary. For flights, buses, and transfers, guests are met by our driver or local representative at airports, bus terminals, or hotels and assisted with the planned transfer. One Nation Travel coordinates the full itinerary, hotels, domestic tickets, transfers, local guides, and support throughout the trip.