From Istanbul's bustling bazaars to Cappadocia's serene skies—Turkey is a world of wonder.

Welcome to a land where ancient history and vibrant modernity dance in perfect harmony—Turkey. Nestled between Europe and Asia, this fascinating country beckons with its rich tapestry of cultures, stunning landscapes, and a heritage that stretches back millennia. From the bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey offers an adventure that transcends the ordinary.

Best time to visit Turkey:

April, May, September and October are pleasantly warm, with temperatures of 20°C to 30°C, so are typically the best times to visit Turkey's grand array of ancient sites. We visited Turkey in May, and throughout out trip the weather was cool and pleasant.

Cost of travelling:

We planned our Turkey trip 3 months before and the flights costed us around 88k round trip for 2 people from Mumbai. We did not take any domestic flights like most tourists usually do, but we took overnight bus for travelling between cities and is way cheaper. We spent only 2.5L for 2 people for 11 days of backpacking in Turkey, and covered 3 beautiful cities.

Currency:

Turkish Lira is the currency for Turkey, which is nearly 0.40 Lira against 1INR. For cash, do not exchange INR to Lira from India, rather buy dollars from India and get it exchanged in Turkey to Lira. Most of the places in Turkey accepts dollars/Euros as well. We took dollars with us and got it exchanged in Turkey for Liras to spent throughout the trip. Sadly, this time we did not use any cards for transactions because, we fell prey of a fraud with Niyo Global credit card and had to block it just before the trip. Currency exchange was much cheaper in the Asian side than in the more touristy European side.

Turkish Visa for Indians:

Indians require sticker VISA to visit Turkey, and it can be easily obtained through Embassy within a week of document submission. We live in Pune so we went to VFS Global office for document submission and they are very helpful. They guided us through the whole process and reviewed the documents properly before passing it to the Embassy. Turkish Visa costs a whopping 18000/- per person, which was a big slap on our budget. The VFS charges nearly 1000/- for processing and delivery. The list of documents required for Turkish Visa application is very strict and lots of documents are required (surprisingly more than Schengen VISA), List of documents can be found on this link. If you have a valid US VISA or Schengen VISA then you can directly apply online and get an E-VISA for travelling to Turkey.

Sim:

We bought the local 4G sim from the shop near our hotel, a Turkcell sim card for 1100 Lira, which gave 20GB of unlimited internet, 200 min of local calling and a validity of 30 days.

Food:

All kinds of food options are available in Turkey- Shawarma, kebabs, Pide(Turkish Pizza), Simit and other middle eastern foods are widely popular. Being vegetarians and on tight budget we mostly survived on Simit, Lentil soups and Pide. But their desserts are to simply die for - Kunefe, Baklawa, Cheesecakes, Turkish ice-creams are must try. For drinks we tried Turkish coffee which was very strong, made on hot sand and Turkish tea which was very different from any kind of tea we have in India.

Language:

Turkish people speak English at most of the places so language is not a problem at all. Use google translator at the times of need like in small shops, or Bazars.

Itinerary, Stay and Transportation:

We visited 3 cities in Turkey : Istanbul -> Cappadocia -> Kas.

Day 1: We boarded our direct flight from Mumbai to Istanbul at 6AM , via Indigo Airlines and landed around 11:30AM Istanbul time (which is 2.5 hours behind IST). It was a 7 hours flight from Mumbai to Istanbul Grand Airport. The airport is 40km from the main city, and there are many ways to travel from the airport to the city center- metro, Ac bus and Taxi. Taxis are bomb costly so choose public transport for all the travel in-out in Istanbula. The Havaist AC bus service runs from -2 parking of the Istanbul airport to all the major spots in the city, we had to reach Taksim square which costed us 204 Liras per person. In -2 level parking, there are around 20 pillars which act as a bus stop for different locations and the ticket can be booked from ticket counters located there, you can easily identify the location and the pillar number from the maps and guiding list marked on the walls. You can also opt to travel through airport metro station to your destination.

After reaching Taksim square bus stand, we walked for nearly 700m to reach our hotel. There is going to be a lot of walking now that taking Taxi is out of picture, so bring only comfortable shoes and book hotels near the metro station. We stayed at Rodin Hostel. It costed us 3200 INR per night, the room size was very small but the location was really good, near the center. In the evening, we started to explore the Taksim square, İstiklal Avenue, Galata Towers which are all within 3km from our hotel so its better to walk and explore. All these places are bustling with tourists, eateries, shops and few churches on the way. Galata Towers was a highlight, but too crowded in the evening and unfortunately it was getting renovate so we could not climb to the top. In Galata tower area, you will find beautiful cafes selling the famous - San Sebastian Cheesecake. It is really worth trying, you may find it overpriced for the location and the view it comes with, but it is a hype there and dessert is always a good idea!

Day 2: We started early today to figure out the public transport routes and visit the most awaited places - The Blue Mosque and The Hagia Sophia. It was a Sunday, so Grand Bazar was closed. All these places are next to each other so we just had to reach Sultanahmet from Taksim. First thing was to get a IstankulKart card, which is a type of debit card to be used for Metro, Tram, Bus, Ferry and Public toilets. You can obtain this card from yellow vending machines installed at all the public areas and metro stations, just buy one card for as many people as required at 70Lira and recharge it, this can be done by putting cash/card in the machine. The metro/tram ride costs 17.7Lira per person, per ride regardless of the distance you travel and the Ferry will cost 25Lira. You can find the route maps in all the stations and trains to understand where and how you need to change trains, and people are always ready to help. We took the underground metro F1 line from Taksim square to reach Kabatas which is the starting point of T1 line, which goes to Sulatanahmet.

We reached the destination and visited the main locations and explored the near by areas for the day. Dressing modestly and covering and heads is mandatory to visit the mosque so be prepared. After spending a good 5 hours in the neighborhood, we started for Balat street, yes the famous colorful streets from the Instagram. We had to go back to Eminonu from Sultanahmet(which are stations on T1 line) using the metro, and then change the metro lines from T1 to T5 to reach Balat. From the station we walked till the main Balat center and the place is really worth all the hype. It is a vibrant and picturesque street, adorned with colorful decorations and lined with charming cafes and delightful souvenir shops. Whole place is slanted uphill, s be prepared to get tired. On our way back from the same metro route , we visited The spice bazar located in Eminonu. The entire area is brimming with a dazzling array of spices, sweet shops, souvenirs, vibrant lamps, and countless other treasures. During sunset which basically 7-8PM at night, we hopped on to the Bosphorus tour which costed us 150Lira per person for a ferry ride of ninety minutes, which cruises along the Bosphorus River in Istanbul, offering breathtaking sunset vistas and a stunning view of the city skyline at night post sunset.

Day3: After completing most of the checklist in Istanbul within the first day, we slowed down on this day to explore the unknown streets on the beautiful city. In every corner of the city, you’ll discover stunning mosques adorned with intricate designs, cozy cafes perfect for relaxing, and a myriad of intriguing mysteries waiting to be uncovered on the Asian Side of this enigmatic city. To visit the Asian Side we took the public ferry from Karakoy station(T1 line) to Kadikoy station (Asian side) which costed 25Lira per person. The ferry runs every 30 mins and its the cheapest way to reach the other side of Bosphorus, while enjoying the ride. The Asian side seemed more affordable, authentic and colorful. Best way to explore Kadikoy is by hoping on the red tram, which runs throughout the city.

All wrapped up for Istanbul, at night we started our journey to Cappadocia, by an overnight bus. We booked a KamilKoc bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia from Flixbus App. This overnight bus costs around 2200K per person, its way cheaper than the flights and the buses in Turkey are on a different level of comfort. We boarded our bus from Alibeykoy bus station which is the last stop in the T5 metro line. The bus had an entertainment system, the conductor would gives us refreshments of choice and their are multiple rest stops during the journey of 1 hours from Istanbul to Goreme (Cappadocia region).

Day4: We reached Goreme at 6 AM in the morning and reached our hotel by walk as it was only 500m from the bus stand. We stayed at a beautiful cave hotel called Goreme Valley Cave House. It is located near the center, and the rooms are so beautiful with different budget and luxury options. The terrace is the best part of the stay, which gives a panoramic view of the whole city and one can sit there to soak in the beauty of hot air balloons flying above. We chose the budget room which costed us 4k INR with breakfast. On the first day in Goreme, we could not watch many the balloons in the sky as the balloon rides usually start by 5AM and all the balloons land back by 6:30AM. So we chose to do a day tour called the Red Tour, which we booked from the hotel at 60EUR per person, this can be done in 50EUR as well if booked from the market. The red tour starts at 10AM in the morning and completes by 5PM, it includes 6 spots and lunch. The most famous spots from the red tour includes- Fairy chimneys, Open air museum, Imagination Valley, Love valley, Pottery village, Uchisar palace. Each location was uniquely charming, featuring diverse natural rock formations and the ruins of ancient civilizations that once thrived within these geological wonders. Visitors could explore their historical habitats and learn how seismic activity compelled these early societies to relocate to urban centers. After the hectic day of hiking and climbing we chose to retire early and dream about the magic that we had to witness early morning the next day.

Day5: We started at 4:30AM and hiked for 20mins to reach the sunrise/sunset point which was nearly 1km from the hotel. It was still dark, but from the top, the entire city of Göreme sparkled like a field of diamonds. We patiently waited for the balloons to take of from the start point. You can choose to take the balloon ride, which is the most popular activity in Goreme. I’ve heard that it's truly beautiful and breathtaking to soar high above and watch the city shrink to a miniature size as you ascend into the sky. But it also costs nearly 26000 INR per person, and we chose not be take the ride but to enjoy it from the ground. It was nearly 5:45 AM and the magic began, we saw few balloons being fired up and ready for take off from the edge of a hill, with hundreds of other tourists lined up with their camera to capture the most beautiful picture of their life. As the colorful balloons gracefully lift off the ground, they drift effortlessly into the sky, creating a stunning contrast against the rugged terrain and soft morning light. The balloon pilots are funny creatures, they would come close to the tourists waving towards them and pose for their pictures, ask for Wi-Fi from the tourists or just say Hi from above.

After spending a good 3 hours at the Sunrise point and watching the sky change its color from dark to beautiful orange and light up the whole city and the hot air balloon dance, we went back to finish our sleep to wake up later and explore the Goreme and relax in a cave cafe. At sunset, we booked an ATV ride from Goreme market and it costed us 2700INR for an ATV for 4 spot visit and 2 people can ride together. There is extreme amount of dust during the whole ride so get properly covered and especially carry mask. Riding an ATV on the rugged off-road trails of Cappadocia is an exhilarating adventure, navigating through rocky terrain and towering chimneys. The thrill of the ride is matched by the stunning scenery, where you might even catch glimpses of tourists horseback riding against a breathtaking sunset backdrop.

Day6: Time to relive the magic of the hot air balloons , but closer this time. Got up really early at 4AM, packed on woolens we started a hike for nearly 2KM to reach the hot air balloon landing point. This is the spot where all the hot air balloons start their ground work and takes off to touch the sky. It was still dark, and the roads where empty but we saw tourists van rushing the tourists to their respective balloons who were to take off soon. The spot was a chaos, huge balloons being filled with hot air , blown by big fans attached to them and the huge fires lit on the machine to keep the air warm so that the balloon can move up. The land was vast and you can choose a spot of your liking with lesser crowd and just bask in the beauty of the scene.

There were women in beautiful gowns ready to get their pictures clicked in the most picturesque spots they could find. Vintage cars are ready to be driven on beautiful roads with only sunrise and hot air balloons around the roads. Nothing can describe the beauty of the moment we saw the first balloon take off the ground, with passengers super excited to have the time of their lives. From the ground, you can admire the intricate patterns and vibrant hues of the balloons as they float above the fairy chimneys and valleys, adding a whimsical touch to the already picturesque landscape. The sight of these majestic balloons dotting the sky, their flames occasionally flickering, is a captivating experience that highlights the beauty and charm of Cappadocia from a unique perspective.

Rest of the day we spent relaxing in the terrace of our hotel and strolling in the peaceful city of Goreme. At night we started our journey towards Kas, a charming coastal town known for its picturesque harbor, stunning turquoise waters, and vibrant blend of traditional Turkish architecture and modern amenities. Is a vacation without beach day, even a vacation ?

Day7: From Goreme we took an overnight bus to Antalya, we booked KamilKoc, through Flixbus App and it costed us 1500INR per person for a journey of 9 hours. Antalya is another beautiful destination, and one can opt to stay a few days here as well. But we decided to stay at Kas for rest of our days in Turkey, so after reaching the Antalya bus station in the morning, we took a local bus called Bati Antalya from the same bus station, which can be booked on spot as the bus runs every 30 mins, they charged us 215 Lira per person to drop us at Kas which was a journey of 3-4 hours. Prefer a window seat at your left to enjoy the scenic beaches that comes on the whole ride towards Kas. There are other beautiful beach towns near by like Fethiye and Bodrum which are worth visiting if you got more time in hand. Kas bus stand was a small bus stop and luckily our hotel was just 200m from there in the city center. We stayed 3 days in Kas at Meltem Pansiyon, it was a home stay with decent budget rooms, it costed us 3600INR per night including breakfast. It was not a very fancy place, but the owners were super friendly and helpful.

After resting out the journey, we headed out to explore the small Kas town, with beautiful streets, Greece like vibes, lots of beaches and of course Scuba diving, because you must see what goes under the deep blues of the Mediterranean sea. On the port of there are multiple boats parked for different scuba companies which operate from the boat itself. After walking and enquiring for a bit we booked 2 dives for the next day with Nautilus Dives. They charged us 6k INR for 2 dives per person which is very good deal. The boat would start at 9:30 AM next morning and one can choose to have lunch with them at extra cost.

Day8: After finishing breakfast with the view of the Kas town from the terrace o our homestay, we headed out to dive at 2 wreck sites because I find wreck sites mysterious and it would be the first time I saw a plane wreck. So excited !

Post setting up our equipment, introduction with the crew and instructor, getting a brief about the dive site we were all set to jump, but wait - did we even imagine the water being cold , NO. It was so cold I was shivering under my wet suit, once the descent was made and we reached nearly 12m and starting swimming was when I finally got warmed up. There it was in front of me - a magnificent Plane wreck . It was a US aircraft used by Turkish forces back in times, and when the plane reached end of life, it was planted under water to create a dive site, but unfortunately no corals grew because of the cold waters and it did not attract any fishes. So the plane remains their spooky from the inside and lonely from the outside. Scuba diving offers a profound sense of peace, as the tranquil underwater world envelops you in silence and serenity, allowing you to escape the stresses of everyday life. After the refreshing dives and some relaxing boat time , we headed back to Kas at 5PM.

Day9: On this day we opted to take a boat tour for the whole day to the Kekova Islands. There are many agents out at the Kas market taking tour bookings and they all have different rates so bargain and check out mutiple options. We booked our tour from Kasturlari Tours at 1300Lira per person including lunch. We started at 8:30AM from the pickup point and headed to the boat spot which was a 35min drive. After reaching the boat, we occupied our seats. It was not a crowded boat and they had ample space inside and at the terrace to relax on sun beds. Refreshments were available throughout at extra cost. They take us to 4 major spots where they allow to swim and snorkel for 1 hour at each spot. First spot was the Simena castle, where we had 1 hour to spare. It is famous for homemade Turkish ice creams of so many fruits and nut combinations I had never heard of. There is an admission fee to enter the castle, but it grants you access to climb to the top and immerse yourself in breathtaking Mediterranean views that stretch endlessly to the horizon.

We had booked out return journey to Istanbul from Kas via KamilKoc from the Kas main bus station called Otobus terminal, which is 7km from the city center. There are shuttle buses running from Kas city to Otobus which costs 25Lira per person. The bus from Kas to Istanbul took nearly 15 hours and costed us 3500k per person booked through FlixBus App. st the irresistible relaxation and thrill of the experience. After having fun and hogging on the lunch we reached back at 5PM to Kas happy and tired. But the sun would not go down for another 3 hours so we set out to find the Big pebble beach which was around 1.5km from the city center. The roads are secluded for walk but really good for a drive. The beaches here are hardly crowded and the big pebble beach was stunningly unique, with its shoreline covered in colorful, textured pebbles instead of sand. The sea waves crashed rhythmically against these tiny rocks, making them sparkle as they were washed by the surf. As the sunset bathed the scene in golden light, the beauty of the pebbles was accentuated, creating a truly mesmerizing and picturesque landscape.

Day10: The count down had began and with only 1 more day at hand we thought of relaxing on the local beaches and cafes and say goodbye to the beautiful place which will always have our heart. There are so many restaurants around the beaches , which provide sunbeds, dive boards without any extra cost all you need to do is order food and drinks , take a sunbed relax and occasionally go for a swim. While exploring the place, we found a beach called Kacuk Cakil Plaji, which was a really small beach hidden between 2 restaurants. We climbed down the road towards the beach, climbed the rocks at the sides to watch the waves crash against the pebbles. After spending some time there, we spotted a large brown turtle swimming nearby, moving with a leisurely grace as if it were completely at ease in its natural habitat. The water was really cold and crystal clear, which made the swim even more relaxing. The Kas town has a stretch of so many beaches back to back you can choose to swim in one or go beach hoping. Some special mentions are - Incebogaz Plaji, Halk Plaji. The day of beach hoping and the tour to Kas has finally come to an end.

We had booked out return journey to Istanbul from Kas via KamilKoc from the Kas main bus station called Otobus terminal, which is 7km from the city center. There are shuttle buses running from Kas city to Otobus Terminal which costs 25Lira per person. The bus from Kas to Istanbul took nearly 15 hours and costed us 3500k per person booked through FlixBus App.

Day11: As our journey through Turkey comes to a close and we head back to India, we reflect on the incredible experiences that have filled our days with wonder and delight. We’ll fondly remember the charming town of Kas, with its picturesque harbor and stunning coastal beauty. The highlight of our journey was undoubtedly the breathtaking hot air balloons. This trip has left us with unforgettable memories and a profound appreciation for the magic of Turkey. Until we meet again, teşekkür ederim and goodbye.

Hope this blog helps in planning a budget trip to Turkey!