Turkey in 19 days on ฿70,000
A loop across two continents: Istanbul's Old Town, sunrise balloons in Cappadocia, the Mediterranean in Antalya, the white terraces of Pamukkale, then back via Izmir and Bursa.
Budget
Where the ฿70,000 went
- Return flight BKK–IST฿22,00031%
- Intercity buses & transfers฿6,0759%
- Accommodation (16 nights)฿16,00023%
- Food & drinks฿10,00014%
- Activities & entry tickets฿12,00017%
- Local transport, SIM & extras฿3,9256%
SampleThe total is real. The split by category and by stop is a draft estimate to replace with the actual receipts.
Route
Eight stops, one loop
Getting there
Bangkok to Istanbul via Mumbai
- airline
- IndiGo
- BKK → BOM
- ≈ 3 h
- layover
- 15 h
- BOM → IST
- 6–7 h
- visa
- None, 30 days
- 1Bangkok · Suvarnabhumi
Check in and show your documents
I checked in online, then collected my boarding pass at the counter. Staff asked for my passport, travel itinerary and hotel bookings, asked a few short questions, and asked how much cash I was carrying.
Bring cashI was asked for 20,000 Turkish lira, about ฿14,000. Exchange some lira before you leave.
- 2Mumbai · 15-hour layover
Stay airside in Mumbai
After a 3-hour flight you land in Mumbai. Without an Indian visa, do not go through Indian immigration. Follow the "Connecting Flights / Transfer" signs, pass the security check, then find a place to sit or sleep.
Free Wi-FiScan your passport at the Wi-Fi kiosk. The layover is long, but it cut the airfare a lot and left more money for Turkey.
- 3Mumbai → Istanbul · 6–7 h
Fly on to Istanbul
Same airline for the second flight, about 6 to 7 hours. Keep your passport with you at all times. The inflight meal was delicious.
- 4Istanbul Airport
Pass immigration and get online
Immigration was smooth, and I got my very first passport stamp. Thai passport holders can stay 30 days without a visa, so there is nothing to worry about if you travel legally.
eSIMSet it up before you leave home. I used the GoMoWorld app and was online the moment I landed.
- ↩
The way home: same route in reverse, again with IndiGo.
Be online when you land
Get the eSIM and receive 10% off. We suggest the 25 GB plan.
Day by day
The route, stop by stop
Istanbul
Getting here IndiGo from Bangkok via Mumbai (see the journey above), then the airport bus into the Old Town.
Three nights in the Old Town. Ancient mosques, old stone houses and cobbled lanes where every step feels like walking through history.
We made it to Istanbul! I hardly knew where to start, because everything feels so different from Thailand 😉 Let's begin with the mosques, huge and magnificent at the same time. Standing in front of them feels like stepping into a novel. Istanbul also lets you look from one continent to another. From the European shore, you can see the Asian side just across the Bosphorus, the strait that cuts the city in two. A ferry takes you over, so why not visit two continents in one go for less than $1.50? The old-town buildings won me over too. I love classic architecture, and I was truly impressed.
Getting from one district to another is easy: metro, bus, ferry and, of course, taxis. The food leans on cheese, bread, beef and chicken, and every table has the famous little glass of tea. Desserts? There are plenty! Some dishes I loved, others felt a bit heavy for me, but I never left a meal hungry. Istanbul is lively, with the charm of an old city.
Once in your life, you have to visit Istanbul.
— Draft
See & do
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, early in the morning
- Slow walks around Sultanahmet
- Public ferry from Europe to Asia, under $1.50
Eat
- Simit sesame bread for breakfast
- Turkish tea, everywhere, all day
People & culture
- Mosque etiquette: cover shoulders and knees, scarf for women
- Chatting with shopkeepers over tea in the bazaar
- Easy to get around: metro, bus, ferry and taxi
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿2,700 |
| Getting here | ฿350 |
| Food | ฿2,350 |
| Activities | ฿1,200 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿1,700 |
| stop total | ฿8,300 |
≈ ฿2,075 per day
Book an activity
Sunset dinner cruise on the BosphorusGetYourGuide ↗Büyükada
Getting here Public ferry from Kabataş pier in Istanbul, about 160 Turkish lira per person. Boats run all day long.
The largest of the Princes' Islands, a short ferry ride from Istanbul. No cars, just bikes, walkers and sea views.
For an easy bike ride with the sea breeze in the hills, Büyükada is a must. This small island is full of local villages in all kinds of styles, and riding past houses covered in flowering bushes is pure joy. A loop road circles the island: cycle it, take the electric shuttle, or walk up to the hilltop for the sea view. If you don't exercise much, it might tire you out a little 😉
Getting here is easy: just hop on a ferry from Kabataş pier in Istanbul. Not planning to stay the night? Come for the day instead, since boats run all day long. In the evening, sit back in the sea breeze and look across at the city on the other shore. It is simply the best.
If you're looking for a charming little island, don't forget Büyükada!
— Draft
See & do
- Cycle the loop road around the island
- Hilltop view over the sea
- Houses covered in flowering bushes
Eat
- Tea by the harbour at sunset
People & culture
- Local villages in many different styles
- No overnight plans? Come for the day
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿900 |
| Getting here | ฿225 |
| Food | ฿400 |
| Activities | ฿300 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿25 |
| stop total | ฿1,850 |
≈ ฿1,850 per day
Göreme, Cappadocia
Getting here Ferry back to Istanbul, then the overnight bus. You save a night of accommodation.
A landscape shaped by ancient volcanoes and millions of years of wind and rain. At dawn, hundreds of balloons rise over the valleys. Everyone should see it once.
Göreme, in Cappadocia, is the town I fell for most on this trip. It feels like a small village tucked between sandstone mountains, and travellers come from all over the world to photograph its hot air balloons. I can still picture them filling the sky. It was breathtaking.
Beyond the balloons, there is plenty to do: ride an ATV, explore the valleys on horseback, visit a museum, or even catch a fashion show. The town has lots of places to stay and eat, so you never need to worry about a bed or a meal. And the people are warm, smiling and easy to talk to.
Get up early at least once to watch the balloons fill the sky. It is worth every minute.
— Draft
See & do
- Hot air balloons at sunrise
- The Fairy Chimneys rock formations
- Horseback ride through the canyons
- ATV ride on the dusty trails
Eat
- Testi kebab cooked in a clay pot
- Gözleme flatbread from village stalls
People & culture
- Sleeping in a cave room carved into the rock
- Watching the balloon crews prepare before dawn
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿2,800 |
| Getting here | ฿1,200 |
| Food | ฿1,500 |
| Activities | ฿7,500 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿400 |
| stop total | ฿13,400 |
≈ ฿4,467 per day
Antalya
Getting here Overnight bus from Göreme to the Mediterranean coast.
Mountains drop straight into turquoise sea. Days in the water, coffee in small hidden cafés, and evening walks under strings of lights.
And then we reached Antalya. I took the bus from Göreme in Cappadocia straight to this seaside city. It is a lively place, especially at night. On the first evening, I wandered around town looking for a spot to sit back and relax. The next morning, I went diving to explore the underwater world, and honestly, it was amazing down there.
Antalya is another city that really stayed with me. Watching the sunset here, with boats gliding past, the sun slipping below the horizon and waves breaking on the shore, was one of the best moments of the trip.
If you are planning a trip to Turkey, don't forget to put Antalya on your checklist!
— Draft
See & do
- Boat trip with swim and snorkel stops
- Diving to explore the underwater world
- Sunset over the bay, boats passing by
- Kaleiçi old town at night
Eat
- Balık ekmek: warm bread with grilled fish
- Coffee in a small café tucked in the old town
People & culture
- Evening promenade with local families
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿3,000 |
| Getting here | ฿1,100 |
| Food | ฿1,650 |
| Activities | ฿1,000 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿500 |
| stop total | ฿7,250 |
≈ ฿2,417 per day
Pamukkale
Getting here Day bus from Antalya via Denizli.
The "Cotton Castle": a white mountain of terraces formed by mineral hot springs. Next door, the ancient Hierapolis theatre once held thousands of spectators.
Pamukkale deserves more than a single day. Its highlight is the white mountain of terraces, formed naturally by the minerals in its hot springs. There is also a huge ancient Roman theatre to visit. If you love taking photos for your stories, don't miss it. History lovers will enjoy the museum too, which tells the story of this Greco-Roman spa town.
Standing on top of the white terraces as the sun goes down is something you won't forget. And on a bright morning, sipping coffee with a view of the snow-white hills while birds sing all around is pure relaxation.
If you come to Turkey, make sure you make it all the way to Pamukkale!
— Draft
See & do
- The white travertine terraces at sunset
- Hierapolis ancient theatre
- The archaeology museum
- Morning coffee facing the white hills
Eat
- Simple village restaurants below the terraces
People & culture
- Walk barefoot on the terraces, it is the rule
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿800 |
| Getting here | ฿700 |
| Food | ฿450 |
| Activities | ฿1,000 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿100 |
| stop total | ฿3,050 |
≈ ฿3,050 per day
Izmir
Getting here Train from Denizli, the town next to Pamukkale.
The start of the loop back. A calm, easy-going city by the sea.
After so much nature, I couldn't skip Izmir. I came here by train, which always feels like the classic way to travel. Once I arrived, I set off on foot: the clock tower, a wander through the market, and a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.
The old quarter is compact and easy to explore, with the ruins of ancient Smyrna right in the middle of the city. If you love history and prefer to avoid big crowds, Izmir is well worth a stop.
An easy day in a laid-back town, perfect for unwinding.
— Draft
See & do
- Konak clock tower
- Ruins of ancient Smyrna in the city centre
- Kemeraltı market
- Seafront walk along the Kordon
Eat
- Traditional Turkish coffee
- Boyoz pastry with a boiled egg for breakfast
People & culture
- Sunset on the seafront with locals
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿1,800 |
| Getting here | ฿500 |
| Food | ฿1,000 |
| Activities | ฿300 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿300 |
| stop total | ฿3,900 |
≈ ฿1,950 per day
Bursa
Getting here Bus from Izmir.
A quiet green city at the foot of the mountains, with its own peaceful charm.
At last, the adventure brought me to Bursa. I strolled along the pedestrian street, where a tram line runs right down the middle. The evening atmosphere is lovely, and the city has a charm all its own. With the flight home to Thailand getting close, I made sure to find a good restaurant, soak up the atmosphere, grab an ice cream and wander along the tram tracks.
In the evening, I walked through the park, where locals gather for all kinds of activities. Street musicians play, and it is the perfect place to enjoy the breeze at sunset. Bursa also has mosques to visit, a good way to understand Turkish faith and culture. All in all, a really good day of rest.
When you think of charming cities, don't forget Bursa!
— Draft
See & do
- The pedestrian street with a tram running down the middle
- Sunset in the park, with street musicians
- Visit a mosque to learn about Turkish faith and culture
- The old clock tower on the hill
- Historic covered bazaars
Eat
- İskender kebab, born in Bursa
- Candied chestnuts
- Ice cream along the tram line
People & culture
- Evening tea with the neighbourhood
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿1,800 |
| Getting here | ฿800 |
| Food | ฿1,000 |
| Activities | ฿300 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿300 |
| stop total | ฿4,200 |
≈ ฿2,100 per day
Istanbul again
Getting here Morning bus from Bursa, then IndiGo home to Bangkok on day 19.
The circle closes where it began. One last slow walk through the Old Town before the flight home.
Back where it all began: Istanbul. Home is close now, so I wanted one more full day. Tonight, I'm taking you to dinner on a boat cruising the Bosphorus. The atmosphere is wonderful, with flocks of birds following the big boat and the city on both sides, Asia on one, Europe on the other. At sunset, the lights of the mosques and buildings are absolutely mesmerising.
Once back on land, I soaked up every last moment with a walk through the Old Town. The next morning, I flew to India, then connected home to Thailand safely with IndiGo. That's the end of our Turkey trip. Thank you for following along!
So this is my last night in this country.
— Draft
See & do
- Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus at sunset
- A last evening walk through the Old Town
- Last sunset over the Golden Horn
- Souvenir shopping in the Spice Bazaar
Eat
- Turkish delight to bring home
People & culture
- Watching daily life go by from a tea garden
What it cost
| Accommodation | ฿2,200 |
| Getting here | ฿1,200 |
| Food | ฿1,650 |
| Activities | ฿400 |
| Local transport & extras | ฿600 |
| stop total | ฿6,050 |
≈ ฿2,017 per day
Book an activity
Sunset dinner cruise on the BosphorusGetYourGuide ↗Looking back
What Turkey gave me
This is a trip I truly fell in love with: 19 days in Turkey. On this journey, I turned my fear into the courage to travel. It was my very first trip like this, and it left a deep impression on me: the places, the buildings so different from Thailand, the easy transport, and the smiling people who were so friendly to foreigners like us. Turkey is a genuinely warm country.
Coming here opened my eyes in many ways: I learned about the local culture and saw beautiful places, some of them even World Heritage Sites. In the end, sharing my experience and telling my stories can never match seeing it all with your own eyes.
If you’re planning a trip abroad, don’t forget to think of Turkey!
— Draft
Before you go
Checklist
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are in Thai baht. Euro and dollar amounts use approximate rates.