Getting Around Instanbul During The All Famous Tulip Festival On A Budget - The Itinerary For 2019

“Istanbul - where the world meets” rightly said by a fellow traveller. A poster boy of the borderless world if I may say , it is here that Europe sits down with Asia by the Bosporus and have some lip smacking kebabs which Istanbul has to offer .

The all famous tulip festival is on charts for 2019 April and guess what , if you are a budget traveller like me ? you are going to have a hard time finding your way around if you don’t have the right sources . So, here I am for the moment being your superhero to the rescue . Aaah jeez that wasn’t funny was it ?

Things you need to know

1. The temperature during the tulip festival will be just about perfect to catch those 30 million tulips in action on the streets of Istanbul

2. The currency used here is Turkish lira which is about 15 Indian rupees to 1Turkish Lira

3.You can apply for the e- visa or use the visa on arrival facility which will cost about 2800 INR which will have a 60 day validity period

4. According to my sources , tourists often get cheated by them taxi drivers, shopkeepers PS Just like India ain’t it ? . So the word is keep an eye out to save yourself will ya, and make sure you bargain with anyone and everyone wherever you can

Here’s my itinerary for April 2019 tulip festival , Ahem! I call it - “The backpackers itinerary!”

Make your way out of Atatruk International airport to the city - Istanbul is one city which is well versed with its transport lines , be it the high speed trains , tram cars, taxis, buses ., you can catch either of the transport facility and get into the city .

If you are traveling in the first week of April 2019, I suggest you make an early booking of your hotels or dorm rooms - oh! In Istanbul the cost per night in a dorm would be about 600 INR to 800 INR based on your preferences .

PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL

1. Hagia Sophia

A church - A mosque - now a museum . Wow! Quite a reminiscence ain’t it ?. The minarets , Golden domes , the portals , the marble arena will be sure to leave you mesmerized in a world you wish to be in forever.

2. The Grand Bazaar

Imagine a way where the ottoman and the Byazantine armies used to parade here in full force . From the ottoman era this place has played a major role in the commerce which adds up to the tourist attraction now . Proudly called “ The oldest closed bazaar” be sure to buy some souvenirs for yourself but hey ! Be wary of the prices and that you bargain here to the level of horizon.

3. Topkapi palace

The home of the ottoman rulers - it’s a kingdom in itself . Now the museum being open to public , one can witness the rich heritage , culture , tradition of the modern era thinking mixed with the architectural prodigy of the ottoman architects .

4. Suleymaniye mosque

If you are not in the mood to offer prayers, Indulge in the serine architectural endeavor . It is bound to give you the - raise your eyebrows moment

PAMUKKALE

Make your way down to Pamukkale from Istanbul to Denizli via high speed train which would approximately cost about 100 Turkish liras for a whopping 10 hour bus journey

From Denizli it’s a 15 min drive to the all famous natural wonder- Pamukkale which is a Home to them picturesque natural travertine formations also called the “cotton palace”

Such beauty the nature can adore - it’s a wonderland ladies and gentlemen!

The dorm rooms here would be about 1200 INR

HIERAPOLIS

Hierapolis is just beside the “cotton palace”, It’s history ages back to 2 century BC where the Kings of pergamon established the Greek temples , Greek monuments and the thermal spa , the ruins of all these can now be seen in its full glory

ANTALYA

Now we make way further down to Antalya - there is a regular bus service from Denizli to Antalya which would cost about 45 TL by Pamukkale Bus company for a 4 hour journey . This company operates to almost all the parts of Turkey .

1. Duden waterfalls

Take a dip in the blue crystal clear waters and get some insta worthy images for yourself

2. Get some Tan on at the beaches

Antalya is more like a party place , grab a beer or experience the food cuisine for yourself and chill on the beach like a boss .

3. Hadrian’s gate

This ones super interesting - according to the Hebrew the Queen of Sheba is said to have passed under these gates to visit King Solomon - woaaaah! I can hardly tell what age would be for the structure now .yet, this marvel is standing tall for the gods to walk through it again

CAPPADOCIA

Its an overnight journey from Antalya to Gerome for about 35 TL , dorm rooms here are priced at around 1000 INR

You cannot visit Cappadocia without having to watch a hot air ballon go up at sunrise . Imagine 100 hot air balloons in the air all at once , magical right ? . Well if you have the money to shell out to go for a ride on it ? You can go for this adventure which will cost you about 120 Euros , approx about 9700 INR

2. The Gerome open air museum

If you are a fan of the Roman history or the mythical game The God of War, this place will open up the war of the gods on its walls through the paintings and pulls you along the Roman heritage

ANKARA

One is bound to thing Istanbul be the capital of turkey but Ankara takes its stand as the capital , it is about 5 hours bus journey from Cappadocia which will be about 60 TL and the dorms here are priced at 600 INR

1. Ankara Castle

Be castled upon by the panoramic views of the city and the history which this place has to offer . Located right at the top of the hilltop it sure is worth a visit

2. Anitkabir Musoleum

Pay your homage to The Godfather of republic of Turkey- the legend himself Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

3. Ankara has some of the best night life cultures , be sure to explore the city of you are here

ISTANBUL

From Ankara to Istanbul it’s about 50 TL if you choose to ride on the high speed train , this day you will experience the tulip festival in full bloom . Tulips in short will lit up the whole city in the festive atmosphere with music , kebabs , drinks and loads of backpackers. Be sure to be there!

PS round trip air tickets are presently priced at 35k from Bangalore

2019 tulip festival - here I come

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