Private Istanbul and Ephesus Tour Package: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Overview
Private Istanbul and Ephesus Tour Package: 8 Days, 7 Nights
This eight-day package pairs Istanbul's heritage with the ancient city of Ephesus. It includes hotels with daily breakfast, airport transfers, a domestic flight, guided tours and lunch on tour days.
Istanbul Days and Cruises
In Istanbul you tour the Old City with a professional guide, join a Bosphorus dinner cruise, explore Galata, Balat, Dolmabahce and Ortakoy by private car with a driver, have a free day with an optional Turkish bath, and take a morning cruise on the Bosphorus.
Full Day in Ephesus
You then fly to Izmir and spend a full day in Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, before flying back to Istanbul.
Tour Info
Choose your hotels
A middle-class hotel is included in this package. If you wish another hotel, we can change it: choose it below and only the price difference is added. Availability is confirmed with you.
Choose your check-in date to see the exact prices for your dates.
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Middle ClassHotel prices shown are estimated. Our team will contact you to confirm the final price and availability before your booking.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
You arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), where our team welcomes you and takes you by private transfer to your hotel in central Istanbul. After check-in the rest of the day is free.
- Airport transfer included
- Free time in Istanbul
Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast your professional guide takes you through the highlights of Istanbul's historic Old City, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace
- Basilica Cistern
- Grand Bazaar
- Professional tour guide
- Lunch included
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Free Day and Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
The day is free for shopping, cafes or optional activities in Istanbul. In the evening you join a Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish shows and entertainment.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Free time in Istanbul
- Optional shopping time
- Bosphorus dinner cruise
- Turkish shows and entertainment
- Dinner included
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - Private Istanbul City Tour by Car
A flexible day with your own vehicle and professional driver. The driver drops you at each stop, waits nearby while you explore on your own and then takes you on to the next one.
- 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:00 - Pick-up from the hotel by private vehicle
- 09:30 - Galata Tower and the surrounding area
- 11:00 - The colourful streets of Balat and Fener
- 12:30 - Lunch at a local restaurant
- 14:00 - Dolmabahce Palace area
- 15:30 - Ortakoy and Bosphorus views
- 17:00 - Taksim Square and Istiklal Street
- 18:30 - Return transfer to the hotel
- 19:00 - Free time and optional dinner
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5 - Free Day and Optional Turkish Bath
A free day in Istanbul with no scheduled tours. Relax at your hotel, explore the city at your own pace, visit local cafes or go shopping. In the evening you can try an optional traditional Turkish bath and spa.
- 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:00 - Free time in Istanbul
- 11:00 - Optional shopping or a cafe visit
- 13:00 - Optional lunch at a local restaurant
- 14:00 - Explore Istanbul at your own pace
- 17:00 - Return to the hotel and relax
- 19:00 - Optional Turkish bath and spa experience
- 21:00 - Return to the hotel and free time
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 6 - Bosphorus Morning Cruise and Flight to Izmir
This morning you join a group Bosphorus cruise and see Istanbul's waterfront landmarks from the water. Afterwards you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir, followed by hotel check-in and free time.
- 07:30 - Breakfast at the hotel
- 08:30 - Pick-up from the hotel
- 09:00 - Bosphorus morning cruise (group tour)
- 13:00 - Cruise ends and return to the hotel
- 13:30 - Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to the airport
- 16:00 - Flight from Istanbul to Izmir
- 17:15 - Arrival in Izmir and transfer to the hotel
- 18:30 - Hotel check-in
- 19:30 - Optional dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 7 - Ephesus Ancient City Tour
A full-day tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. After the tour you return to your hotel and the evening is free.
- 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:30 - Departure for the Ephesus tour
- 10:00 - Explore Ephesus Ancient City
- 13:00 - Lunch at a local restaurant
- 14:00 - Ephesus tour continues
- 16:30 - Tour ends and transfer to the hotel
- 17:00 - Arrival at the hotel and free time
- 19:00 - Optional dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 8 - Flight to Istanbul and End of Services
After breakfast and check-out you are transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. From there you can continue your journey home or, if your plans allow, add an optional extra night in Istanbul.
- Flight to Istanbul
- Optional extra night in Istanbul
- End of services
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓7 Nights Hotel Accommodation with Breakfast – a Middle-Class Hotel from Our Selection, Confirmed by Availability and with Your Approval
- ✓Domestic Flight Tickets
- ✓Airport Transfers
- ✓Professional Tour Guide on Tour Days
- ✓Istanbul Old City Tour
- ✓Private Istanbul City Tour by Car with Driver
- ✓Bosphorus Morning Cruise
- ✓Ephesus Ancient City Tour
- ✓Lunch on Tour Days
- ✓Free Day in Istanbul
- ✓Optional Turkish Bath & Spa Experience
- ✓Transportation During Tours
- ✓All Local Taxes & Service Charges
- ✕International Flights to and from Turkey
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Istanbul and Ephesus tour package for 8 days: what you need to know
This private eight-day package pairs a long, relaxed stay in Istanbul with a full day in ancient Ephesus, from $1,880 per person. Seven hotel nights with breakfast, a domestic flight to Izmir and back, airport transfers, a professional guide on tour days, lunch on tour days and local taxes are included. In Istanbul you have the Old City tour, a Bosphorus dinner cruise, a private city tour by car with a driver, a morning Bosphorus cruise and two free days; on the Aegean, a full guided day in Ephesus.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Price | from $1,880 per person |
| Route | Istanbul (5 nights), Izmir area (2 nights), back to Istanbul |
| Hotels | 7 nights with breakfast, middle-class hotels from our selection, confirmed with your approval |
| Included | Domestic flights, transfers, guide on tour days, Old City tour, dinner cruise, private car tour, morning Bosphorus cruise, Ephesus tour, lunch on tour days |
| Not included | International flights, personal expenses; the Turkish bath is optional |
Why combine Istanbul and Ephesus?
They tell two halves of the same long story. Istanbul shows you the Byzantine and Ottoman capital; Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, takes you back to Roman times and the early Christian era. A short domestic flight connects them, so you can add Ephesus to an Istanbul holiday without long drives.
What does the 8-day itinerary include?
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival, private transfer to your central hotel |
| Day 2 | Old City tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar |
| Day 3 | Free day; Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish shows |
| Day 4 | Private car with driver: Galata Tower, Balat, Fener, Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy, Taksim, Istiklal Street |
| Day 5 | Free day; optional Turkish bath and spa |
| Day 6 | Morning Bosphorus cruise; flight to Izmir |
| Day 7 | Full-day Ephesus tour |
| Day 8 | Flight back to Istanbul and end of services |
How does it compare with other Istanbul combinations?
| Package | Length | Second destination | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| This package | 8 days | Ephesus | $1,880 per person |
| Istanbul and Antalya | 8 days | The Mediterranean coast | $1,980 per person |
| Istanbul and Cappadocia | 8 days | Cappadocia | $2,400 per person |
| Private Turkey tour | 8 days | Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale | $2,250 per person |
If you also want Pamukkale, the Ephesus and Pamukkale 2-day tour from Istanbul from $675 can replace the Ephesus part, or ask us to extend the package by a day.
What do you see in Ephesus?
The Library of Celsus with its famous facade, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the marble streets lined with columns, with your guide explaining daily life in the Roman city. After the tour the evening is free.
Who is this package for?
Travellers who want plenty of time in Istanbul, with free days for cafes, shopping and a hammam, and who are drawn to ancient history or biblical sites. It is also a good choice for anyone who has already seen Cappadocia.
When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to November are ideal. Ephesus is very hot in July and August, so the tour starts early; Istanbul is busiest in summer and quietest in winter.
What should you bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen for Ephesus, modest clothing for the mosques, smart-casual clothes for the dinner cruise, swimwear or a change of clothes for the hammam, and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do you book?
Choose your dates on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your flights. We confirm the hotels with your approval and send the plan in writing; you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Istanbul tours, Ephesus tours and Turkey tour packages.
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