Trans-Anatolian Express - 9 Days (Train-Plane-Bus)

Trans-Anatolian Express - 9 Days (Train-Plane-Bus)

Traveling is not only about visiting some place and taking photos. It's more about experiencing the local culture, the local food, learning more about the lifestyle of local people! When traveling, you meet, eat and talk with locals, which gives the amazing travel experience. Experience deeply the local culture and lifestyle!
This amazing trip starts from Istanbul and flies to Cappadocia then continue to Konya with a local bus to discover the whirling dervices city. You will then take the evening train in a Wagon-lit private room to sleep and experience this local travel until İzmir. Visit the famous Ephesus and Hierapolis. The trip concludes in Istanbul. This is the long version with 9 days. See also the short version (7 days) without Gallipoli part.
This is more than an ordinary vacation itinerary. It has everything !

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul Arrival

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: N/A Mileage: 40km
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4**** First class hotel in the city center

Day 2: Istanbul / Cappadocia (Flight)

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkey
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Cappadocia Cave hotel

Day 3: Cappadocia

Stop At: Goreme National Park, Goreme 50180 Turkey
Entire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region : explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme's cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the red valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. Overnight.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Uchisar, Uchisar, Cappadocia
Entire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region : explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme's cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the red valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. Overnight.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Cavusin, Cavusin, Cappadocia
Entire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region : explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme's cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the red valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. Overnight.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Urgup, Urgup, Cappadocia
Entire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region : explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme's cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the red valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. Overnight.
Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 120km
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in a cave hotel

Day 4: Cappadocia / Konya / Train (wagon lits)

Stop At: Konya, Konya
Take 08:30 public bus to Konya. Arrive at 11:30 and continue to Mevlana Museum to see the tomb of the founder of Whirling Dervishes Order and learn more about Sufi philosophy. In the afternoon discover more in this city which used to be the capital of Seldjoukide Empire in XIIIth century; Karatay Museum which was a school of astronomy and the monumental gate of Inceminare Mosque. In the evening, take 19:00 train to Izmir. Overnight at wagon-lit cabin with 2 single beds, air conditioning, sink and mini fridge.
Overnight: Wagon-Lits Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 240km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mevlana Muzesi, Mevlana Cd. No:1, Konya 42030 Turkey
Take 08:30 public bus to Konya. Arrive at 11:30 and continue to Mevlana Museum to see the tomb of the founder of Whirling Dervishes Order and learn more about Sufi philosophy. In the afternoon discover more in this city which used to be the capital of Seldjoukide Empire in XIIIth century; Karatay Museum which was a school of astronomy and the monumental gate of Inceminare Mosque. In the evening, take 19:00 train to Izmir. Overnight at wagon-lit cabin with 2 single beds, air conditioning, sink and mini fridge.
Overnight: Wagon-Lits Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 240km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Karatay Medresesi Museum, Alaaddin Meydani, Konya Turkey
Take 08:30 public bus to Konya. Arrive at 11:30 and continue to Mevlana Museum to see the tomb of the founder of Whirling Dervishes Order and learn more about Sufi philosophy. In the afternoon discover more in this city which used to be the capital of Seldjoukide Empire in XIIIth century; Karatay Museum which was a school of astronomy and the monumental gate of Inceminare Mosque. In the evening, take 19:00 train to Izmir. Overnight at wagon-lit cabin with 2 single beds, air conditioning, sink and mini fridge.
Overnight: Wagon-Lits Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 240km
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Ince Minare Museum, Hamidiye Mah. Alaaddin Bulv. No:15 Meram Merkez, Meram, Konya Turkey
Take 08:30 public bus to Konya. Arrive at 11:30 and continue to Mevlana Museum to see the tomb of the founder of Whirling Dervishes Order and learn more about Sufi philosophy. In the afternoon discover more in this city which used to be the capital of Seldjoukide Empire in XIIIth century; Karatay Museum which was a school of astronomy and the monumental gate of Inceminare Mosque. In the evening, take 19:00 train to Izmir. Overnight at wagon-lit cabin with 2 single beds, air conditioning, sink and mini fridge.
Overnight: Wagon-Lits Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Mileage: 240km
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Konya - Izmir Evening train in a private wagon-lit cabin

Day 5: İzmir / Ephesus / Kusadasi

Stop At: Ephesus Museum, Selcuk Turkey
Arrive in Izmir at 07:00 AM. Free time for breakfast (at own expense) and transfer to Ephesus. Explore the antique city by wandering along its 2,000 year old marble streets to such famous sites as the theatre and the Celsus Library. In the afternoon, visit the home of the Virgin Mary and a photo stop nearby the Temple of Artemis where only a column remains to indicate where one of the Seven Wonders of the World was. Overnight.
Overnight: Kuşadası Meals: Lunch Mileage: 90km
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Selcuk 35100 Turkey
Arrive in Izmir at 07:00 AM. Free time for breakfast (at own expense) and transfer to Ephesus. Explore the antique city by wandering along its 2,000 year old marble streets to such famous sites as the theatre and the Celsus Library. In the afternoon, visit the home of the Virgin Mary and a photo stop nearby the Temple of Artemis where only a column remains to indicate where one of the Seven Wonders of the World was. Overnight.
Overnight: Kuşadası Meals: Lunch Mileage: 90km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Temple of Artemis, Ataturk, Park Ici Yolu No:12, Selcuk Turkey
Arrive in Izmir at 07:00 AM. Free time for breakfast (at own expense) and transfer to Ephesus. Explore the antique city by wandering along its 2,000 year old marble streets to such famous sites as the theatre and the Celsus Library. In the afternoon, visit the home of the Virgin Mary and a photo stop nearby the Temple of Artemis where only a column remains to indicate where one of the Seven Wonders of the World was. Overnight.
Overnight: Kuşadası Meals: Lunch Mileage: 90km
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: 4**** in Kuşadası city center hotel

Day 6: Kusadasi / Pamukkale / Kusadasi

Stop At: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Pamukkale 20280 Turkey
Drive to Pamukkale, popularly known as the 'cotton castle'. Here, immense tiers of white limestone cascading down a barren hillside you will enjoy the beauty of the terraces. After lunch visit Hierapolis, including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the devil’s hole, and Masterpiece Theater. Return to Kusadasi and overnight.
Overnight: Kuşadası Meals: Breakfast- Lunch Mileage: 360km
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kuşadası city center 4**** hotel

Day 7: Kusadasi / Canakkale

Stop At: Bergama, Bergama, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
Continue to Pergamon, the city where parchment was invented and discover the Acropolis with hellenistic theater, Trajan Temple and remains of the library. Drive to Canakkale and overnight.
Overnight: Çanakkale Meals: Breakfast- Lunch Mileage: 395km
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ruins of Pergamum, 8 km (5 mi) from Bergama, Bergama Turkey
Continue to Pergamon, the city where parchment was invented and discover the Acropolis with hellenistic theater, Trajan Temple and remains of the library. Drive to Canakkale and overnight.
Overnight: Çanakkale Meals: Breakfast- Lunch Mileage: 395km
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Pergamon Theatre, Kurtulus Mah. Akrapol Yolu No:2 Bergama Merkez, Bergama, Bergama Turkey
Continue to Pergamon, the city where parchment was invented and discover the Acropolis with hellenistic theater, Trajan Temple and remains of the library. Drive to Canakkale and overnight.
Overnight: Çanakkale Meals: Breakfast- Lunch Mileage: 395km
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Çanakkale in a 4**** hotel

Day 8: Canakkale / Istanbul

Stop At: Troy (Truva), Tevfikiye Koyu, Intepe, Canakkale Turkey
In the morning, depart for Troy and visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, 3700 years old city walls and houses, Senate Building, Odeon. Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Transfer back to Istanbul at 17:30 and arrive at around 23:00. Drop-off to your hotel and overnight.
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast Mileage: 330 km
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Canakkale, Canakkale, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
In the morning, depart for Troy and visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, 3700 years old city walls and houses, Senate Building, Odeon. Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Transfer back to Istanbul at 17:30 and arrive at around 23:00. Drop-off to your hotel and overnight.
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast Mileage: 330 km
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Gallipoli, Gallipoli, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
In the morning, depart for Troy and visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, 3700 years old city walls and houses, Senate Building, Odeon. Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Transfer back to Istanbul at 17:30 and arrive at around 23:00. Drop-off to your hotel and overnight.
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast Mileage: 330 km
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Anzac Cove, 17900 Canakkale Province, Gallipoli Turkey
In the morning, depart for Troy and visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, 3700 years old city walls and houses, Senate Building, Odeon. Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Transfer back to Istanbul at 17:30 and arrive at around 23:00. Drop-off to your hotel and overnight.
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast Mileage: 330 km
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnigh in Istanbul in a 4**** hotel

Day 9: Istanbul Departure

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight.
Overnight: N/A Meals: Breakfast Mileage: 40km
Duration: 50 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.