6 Amazing Turkey Road Trip Ideas for 2024

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Thinking of a Turkey road trip but unsure where, when, or even if it’s a good idea?

I spent a couple of weeks exploring this beautiful country with one of my Turkish girlfriends (and sometimes solo on the road), and I am here to tell you – this country gave me all the feels! 🥰

Not only is it safe to travel to as a solo woman, but it is also surprisingly diverse and beautiful. Turkey has so many amazing things to do, it’s cheap, and the infrastructure (i.e., roads) is great!

Below are my recommendations for do’s and dont’s in Turkey, along with several FAQs related to road trips around this beautiful land.

A Few Planning Resources

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Why Visit Turkey?

Turkey is an amazing and diverse country that just keeps on giving.

From breathtaking Ottoman and Arabic architecture, rich culture, and delicious foods I can’t always pronounce, to friendly locals and beautiful natural landscapes, there are countless reasons why it’s one of the top travel destinations in the world. And one of my favorite countries to road trip!

Fun Facts About Turkey

• Capital city – Ankara
• Largest city – Istanbul
• Currency – Turkish Lira (1 USD = 18 TRY)
• Language – Turkish (half of the people I met spoke decent English, and when I traveled to more rural towns, Google Translate worked wonderfully!)
• Geography – Turkey is a vast country (about 15% larger than Texas) located on both the European and Asian continents. Terrain-wise, it has the Mediterranean Sea to the West, the Black Sea to the North, and mountains surrounding the south and east regions.
• Fun Fact: While most people know about Turkish coffee, drinking Turkish tea is way more popular with the locals.
  
• EXTRA Fun Fact: There are many beautiful stray cats roaming around Turkey – but they are not homeless. The locals leave food and water out for them, which is the most heartwarming thing to see.

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6 Turkey Road Trip Ideas

These road trip options span all of Turkey. I’ve included the time I recommend for the road trip, noting that I like to take it a bit more easily.

1. Best Road Trip for History & Hot Air Balloons

📍Route: Istanbul – Ankara – Cappadocia
⏰ Recommended Time: 5-7 days

Head south from Istanbul towards Ankara for a couple of days, where you can visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and stop at the old citadel and the mausoleum of the country’s revered founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Afterwards, head further into the desert towards Cappadocia for a few days, the home of the unique experience of taking a hot air balloon ride as the sun rises of the desert land. The center of all Cappadocia is the town of Goreme. It is where you’ll want to stay, as it’s full of cute little boutique hotels that all have views of the balloons launching every morning.

I cannot stress enough booking your Hot Air Balloon ride ahead of time because they will book out, especially in the high summer season. The weather/wind may not be great one day, so they push your balloon flight to the following day.

➡️ Butterfly Hot Air Balloons fly the highest compared to other balloon companies. I highly recommend them.

Then there is the desert hiking itself that you can spend a couple of days enjoying. There are 2 main guided hiking tours in Cappadocia – The Red Tour and The Green Tour. I recommend buying the guided Green Tour and doing the Red Tour on your own. My favorite self-guided hikes were:

• Goreme, Love & White Valley, and Uchisar Castle (rating: easy)
• Rose & Red Valley (basically the Red Tour, rating: easy)

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2. Best Road Trip from Istanbul for Turkey Highlights

📍Route: Istanbul – Cappadocia – Ephessus – Pammukale
⏰ Recommended Time: 7 – 9 Days

While Istanbul itself is a mesmerizing city to explore that spans both the European and Asian continents, this particular road trip expands the itinerary to more highlights of ancient Turkey.

• 2 Days In Istanbul: Explore highlights like the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Ottoman Topkapi Palace.
• 3 Days In Cappadocia: Fly in the Hot Air Balloons at dawn and hike the region’s deserts.
• 2 Days in Izmir & Ephesus: Head to Izmir and explore the nearby ancient Ruins of Ephesus, where Cleopatra and Marc Antoni spent their honeymoon and Mother Mary from the Bible used to live.
• 1 Day in Pammukale: Take a dip in the Instagram-worthy Pammukale hot springs and relax at the nearby wineries!

I’ve outlined this 10-Day itinerary of Turkey in more depth, as I loved this little route best!

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3. Best Road Trip for Food & Wine (+ A Side of History)

📍Route: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Troy – Pergamum – Izmir – Urla
⏰ Recommended Time: 5 – 7 days

This road trip is easy enough and full of history, wineries, and delicious food!

As you drive from Istanbul towards Gallipoli, stay a night at Barbare Winery for Turkish wine and cuisine. Enjoy a bit of history the next day with the Gallipoli Battleground Tour.

Fun Fact: Most of the Gallipoli Peninsula is a national park with forests and secluded beaches to explore as well.

Then onwards to visit the ancient Ruins of Troy (and yes, they do have the big wooden horse), followed by a day at the Acropolis of Pergamum.

You’ll want to be in Izmir halfway through your trip as a home base. Besides being the closest hub city to Ephesus, this is Turkey’s third-largest city – it has a layered culture and cuisine influenced by the Greeks. I loved having lunch at this winery just outside town: Isabey Bagevi, and then visiting the little town of Urla.

Do a day trip from Izmir to Ephesus, strolling down the streets of the ancient ruins where Cleopatra and Mother Mary from the Bible used to wander. Followed by an afternoon at the 7 Bilgeler Saraphonesi Winery.

I also recommend trying meze platters stacked with sun-ripened olives and feta, as well as meaty kebabs cooked on open charcoal flames.

Do not shy away from köfte – ground meatballs served with herbs, salads, and yogurt – or anywhere that serves up generous plates of marinated and roasted lamb. And then the desserts – rosewater-scented baklava to traditional sütlaç rice pudding.

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4. Best Road Trip for Epic Sea Views

📍Route: Fethiye – Oludeniz – Patara – Kalkan – Kas
⏰ Recommended Time: 7-10 days

The Lycian Way is one of the most famous walks and trails, up there with the Silk Road and El Camino De Santiago De Compostela. This road trip is focused on hiking portions of the Lycian Way and enjoying the stunning Turquoise Coast of Turkey.

• 3 Days in Antalya: Manovgat Waterfalls, Adrasan Hike, Beaches, Party in the Old Town
• 3 Days in Kalkan/Kas: Beach Life, Boating Around the little coves, hiking the coastline
• 3 Days in Oludeniz/Fethiye: Paraglide over the sea, swim in the famous Blue Lagoon, and hike the coastline along parts of the Lycian Way

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5. Best Road Trip for Exploring Turkish Culture

📍Route: Istanbul – Ankara – Konya
⏰ Recommended Time: 5-7 days

• 2 Days in Istanbul: Visit the mosques, nightlife, and neighborhoods of Kayakoy and Kadikoy on both the Asia and Europe side of the city.
• 2 Days in Ankara: Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Stop at the old citadel and the mausoleum of the country’s revered founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
• 2 Days around Konya: Head to the center of the mystical sect of Islam, Sufism, where the famous prophet and philosopher Rumi made his home, and watch the ceremony of the Twirling Dervishes.

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6. Best Road Trip for Lazy Seaside Villages

📍Route: Bodrum – Marmares
⏰ Recommended Time: 5 – 7 days

As I was passing through these little seaside villages, I couldn’t help but wonder what country I was in. The Mediterranean coast of Turkey is so similar to (and has been greatly influenced by) the Greeks. And it shows in the cuisine, the dress, the architecture, and the laid-back attitude.

• 3 Days Marmaris: explore the old town, eat your heart out, lay out on the beaches
• 3 Days Bodrum: party in the old town, sunsets by the windmills, a day trip on a catamaran

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Getting Around Turkey

There are a few ways to get around Turkey if you’re going on a road trip. The best way would be to rent a car, especially if you stay more than 5-6 days.

Alternatively, flying and leveraging the bus system are also options, especially if the trip requires traversing long distances or staying on a tight budget.

Here are a few pros and cons for each.

Rental Car

This is the best option for a couple of scenarios.

• If you are staying longer than a week and want to explore a few large cities
• If you want to explore the hidden gems, local towns, remote beaches, unique hikes, etc.
• If you want the flexibility a car gives to the itinerary and your schedule

This is what I used to rent a car in Turkey:
➡️ DISCOVER CARS ⬅️

NOTE: You do not need an International Driver’s License to rent a car in Turkey. You just need to be 18 years old and have an English drivers license (or a translation of your driver’s license in English if it’s in another language).

Driving in Turkey

I’ll be honest, I was a little apprehensive about renting a car and doing a road trip in Turkey because I was concerned about safety, the road conditions, and police.

After all, most of the time, I would be traveling as a solo female, driving through smaller highway systems in the south of Turkey, with only my Google navigation and translator to help.

All that said, I had nothing to worry about. Turkey roads are great, tolls are automated, and the Turkish people were incredibly kind and helpful when I was lost or had to park somewhere super random at night.

This is what I used to see the best prices & rent a car in Turkey:
➡️ DISCOVER CARS ⬅️

You do not need an International Driver’s License to rent a car in Turkey. You just need to be 21 years old and have an English driver’s license (or a translation of your driver’s license in English if it’s in another language).

Tolls

When you rent a car, it comes with an automated toll tag. Tolls are automated in Turkey, so you just pass through, and they are not expensive. As a comparison, they are one-tenth of the cost compared to the EU (France, Austria, etc.) and the US.

Police

You will laugh at this, but I am not joking. In Turkey, one way the police scare drivers into obeying the speed limits is to place cutout cardboard pictures of cop cars on the side of the road with a little light or two.

These “cardboard cop cars” look real from the road until you get close enough to see that they are fake. Either way, it works, I freaked out and slowed down every time.

Roads / Speed Limits

The highways are fantastic, especially in Western Turkey, where a lot of tourism takes place. When I traversed into more rural areas of southeastern Turkey, the lanes became smaller and less well marked, but still a 3-way highway (middle lane for passing only).

Speed limits are as you might imagine.

• City Limits: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Outside City Limits: 90 km/h (56 mph)
• Highways: 120 km/h (75 mph)

Driving In Istanbul

I’ve driven in some of the most insane cities of Italy and New York, and I’ll tell you, there’s nothing like the crazy roads, hills, and traffic of Istanbul. If you can avoid driving in Istanbul, especially at night or peak traffic hours, do it.

The sucky part of driving in Istanbul is that the roads are small and cluttered, and the taxis are aggressive. Meaning, everyone is squeezing into lanes that don’t exist, cat’s are jumping onto cars, and there are pedestrians coming out of nowhere.

It’s not impossible for a brave driver, just know it’s hectic.

Driving From Istanbul to Cappadocia

I actually did this drive at the start of my road trip, and for the distance and time it takes, it was quite pleasant. I left Istanbul around 12 noon and arrived at Goreme around sunset at 7pm.

The roads consist of mostly straight highway, are super well maintained, and have high speed limits so you can really put your car on cruise control most times. And with a good road trip playlist, time will fly by quickly!

Public Transportation: Flying

Most people choose to fly if they have less than a week in Turkey, especially when they travel between the big cities in Turkey because it is faster than driving. For example, it would take about 7 hours to drive from Istanbul/Izmir to Cappadocia, but a flight is only 1.5 hours.

What’s more, there are many local airports that offer cheap flights between cities. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines are great local carriers.

Public Transportation: Buses

Buses are a great and cheap way to travel in Turkey, but they also take a long time.

You can buy tickets directly at the bus station on the day you want to travel. Anadolu Bus Company is a good choice because it is clean and comfortable, and they have drinks and snacks on the bus.

Public Transport Words in Turkish:

• Otogar – Bus Station
• Otobüs – Bus
• Dolmuş – Local minibusses that run on set routes
• Tren istasyonu – Train Station
• Tren – Train
• Kaç para? – How much?
• Taksi – Taxi
• Bilet gişesi – Ticket Office

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Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Yes it is. The overall safety risk, even to a solo female traveler like myself, is low.

Fortunately, the overall security environment in Turkey is generally calm compared with past years, and authorities have put measures in place to ensure visitors’ safety and security.

Although some areas close to the Syrian border should still be avoided, safety measures in Istanbul and major cities are strict. That being said, it is still important to stay vigilant when travelling through Turkey and take the necessary precautionary measures when needed.

PRO TIP: My best advice is to learn to say “no” politely when haggling or buying things in big bazaars. Also to dress modestly out of respect for the culture. I always like to think that I am a guest in someone else’s home, and remember my manners!

If I was to rate the risk level through a variety of lenses, here’s what I would say:

✔️ Overall Risk: Low

✔️ Driving/Transport Risk: Low

✔️ Solo Female Travel Risk: Low

✔️ Tourist Scams Risk: Low

✔️ Petty Theft Risk: High

✔️ Terrorism Risk: Medium

✔️ Natural Disaster Risk: Low

Should I get Travel Insurance?

Yes, especially if you’re about to embark on a road trip.

I say this not because I’m worried for safety reasons, but travel medical insurance is there for those unexpected food poisoning moments (which all travelers get), that random cold because you’ve stayed out by the dessert fire smoking hookah with the locals, or that rash on your left knee after hiking the Lycean Way that just won’t go away.

I use and recommend
➡️ Safety Wing Travel Insurance ⬅️

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FAQs About Turkey

Beyond the transportation and safety aspects of going on a road trip in Turkey, here are a few other questions that may come up for you while planning.

Is Turkey cheap for tourists?

The short answer is yes, Turkey is incredibly affordable.

For starters, most domestic transportation, such as flights and busses, are surprisingly cheap. You can find amazing accommodation deals too if you shop around and don’t mind veering off the beaten path (ie. not in the exact city center or boutique hotels).

Food is also very reasonably priced – for just a few Turkish Liras, you can sample traditional dishes like kebab or çorba or get yourself a cheesy pastry and a cup of tea – all under $15 a meal.

All in all, turkey offers a fantastic tourist experience without breaking the bank.

Road Trip Costs & Budget

Turkey is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination, and it’s easy to see why – it’s a great value. Whether you want to indulge in luxurious experiences, the local cuisine or plan a Turkey road trip across the country, your budget won’t be stretched too thin.

I spent about $2,500 for 3 weeks on my Turkey road trip in September. Here is my budget as a solo traveler:

• Car Rental: $450 total (for 3 weeks, with tolls)
• Lodging: $1,200 total for 3 weeks (moved every 4-5 days)
  • Cheapest: $10 per night at a hostel in Bodrum (it’s rare I stay in hostels, but I was getting a bit lonely and wanted to meet some travel girlfriends)
  • Most Expensive: $100 per night boutique hotel in a Turkish Vinyar by the sea
• Food & Drink: $40 a day per person
  • Turkish breakfasts are huge and cost about $5-10 max
  • I ate out 70% of the time and cooked in the rest simply because local food is so good and cheap.
• Good Times: Priceless!

Is a road trip in Turkey a good idea?

Absolutely! It is one of the better road trips I’ve taken because it had such a WOW factor to it. Coming to Turkey, I was only thinking about the big cities of Istanbul and tourist attractions like Cappadocia and Ephesus.

Having been on a massive road trip to the whole of western Turkey, I can say that you truly begin seeing Turkey when you leave Istanbul. And it is much more beautiful, authentic, and surprising than you can imagine.

Not only that, but a road trip through Turkey costs way less than staying in the major cities and popular destinations. Plus, you get the benefit of seeing the world outside of the tourist bubble.

How many days in Turkey is enough?

I would say a week is enough for a quick little road trip to see the highlights of Istanbul and Cappadocia, perhaps. This would be the minimum time you need.

Two weeks in Turkey is an ideal duration so that you can rent a car, see the major highlights, but also explore some of the hidden gem spots along the way.

Three weeks or more is an epic slow travel roll through highlights, local treasures, hidden beaches, quaint little Ottoman towns, and everything in between. If you are this lucky with your time, message me, and we can talk about custom itineraries.

When is a good time to road trip through Turkey?

Any time is a great time for a road trip, but ideal weather would be during the summer and fall seasons when the weather is hot and all the tours and accommodations are open and welcoming guests.

I went on my road trip through Turkey in September and October, when the heat had dissipated a bit (but I could still bathe in the sea and layout!), and the costs and crowds were lower than the full-on summer tourist season.

What would be a good Turkey road trip in winter?

Taking a Turkey road trip in winter is the perfect way to explore the country at its cheapest for tourism.

One thing that would be great right from the go is exploring the city of Istanbul and wandering through mosques and markets that have been around since Ottoman times – all without the crowds.

Getting off the beaten path, another great road trip option in the winter for Turkey would be to head down the Mediterranean coast to the party city of Izmir, explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, dip into Pammukale’s hot springs for a day trip, and then on to Bodrum and Marmaris for a relaxing coastal stay at one of the many boutique hotels in the area.

Do US citizens need a visa for Turkey?

Yes, you do need a visa to travel to Turkey. You can pay and get an e-visa before arriving or pay and get a visa when you land in Turkey. Here is the visa requirements information.

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Conclusion

Turkey has become a special country for me because of its wonderful landscapes, incredibly diverse food and culture, and the immense hospitality of its people.

I hate to say it, but I was pleasantly surprised by how at home I felt in this country. So much so that I plan on going back in the coming years to explore even more. Who’s with me?!