Istanbul to Gallipoli Day Trip [Honest Review]
After five days in Istanbul, my partner and I took a day trip to Gallipoli with Crowded House Tours. It’s a long day (4.5 hour drive each way) but if you want to visit Gallipoli with proper historical context and see the major sites, it’s worth doing.
Here’s everything you need to know about the experience, from pickup to drop-off.
Best places to eat in Istanbul + What to order
My partner and I had one clear goal during our
five days in Istanbul: eat as much Turkish food as possible. The city’s famous for its food scene, and we were determined to try everything from street vendors to neighbourhood restaurants.
Here are the best places we found and what you should order.
How to see the balloons in Cappadocia without a car
Hot air balloons floating over Cappadocia’s valleys are probably one of the first things you’ll see when you start planning a trip to Türkiye. This iconic sight is one of the main reasons tourists are drawn there – my partner and I included.
Whether you’ve already booked a balloon flight and want to experience the view from below as well, or you’re like us and prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, here’s your guide to seeing them without needing a rental car.
Our 5 day Istanbul budget breakdown
My partner and I started our Türkiye trip with five days in Istanbul, and quickly discovered that the city’s “super cheap” reputation might be a bit outdated. Here’s exactly how much we spent during our stay and where every lira went.
How much cash you really need for your Türkiye trip
Wondering how much cash to bring to Türkiye
– or if you need any at all?
After 10 days exploring the country, here’s what my partner and I learnt about using lira, euros, cards, and ATMs – and how much cash we ended up spending.
Where to buy an Istanbulkart at Istanbul Airport
When my partner and I were planning our Türkiye trip we knew getting Istanbul’s travel card (Istanbulkart) would be necessary for not only exploring the city, but also the cheapest way to get from the airport into the city.
I’ll walk you through where to buy an Istanbulkart at Istanbul Airport (the best option if you’re planning to catch the metro and the best option if you’re catching a bus) so you can save the time we spent trying to find a machine and head straight into the city.