5 Travel Tips for Your Turkey Trip
In the summer of 2024, I had the honor of returning to Europe and traveling through Turkey. I spent a few weeks exploring this incredible country, and now I finally have the chance to look back and share some travel tips for Turkey. This journey also became my biggest travel vlog project to date as it has led to a total of 10 travel Turkey videos.
I visited Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Izmir, and Bursa. With only a few days in each city, I had to carefully plan which places to visit in Turkey. As usual, I wanted the freedom to explore, so I avoided booking a travel package. This worked out well, especially since I had to deal with the problem of mass tourism during my visit to Cappadocia’s underground cities.
Tip 1: Consider Alternatives to Travel Packages When Traveling in Turkey
While bus tours and travel packages are convenient, I am glad I organized my trip to Turkey on my own without using a travel agency. I relied on public transport, online research, and some improvisation. During my travels in Cappadocia, I also rented a scooter and went on a 400km Turkey road trip.
Why? Because Turkey is a modern country. You have fast and reliable internet, you can buy bus and train tickets online, and there is plenty of information available. In some cases, it might still make sense to use a travel agent or guide – like when you need a visa for Turkey but I managed just fine without a travel package.
The only time I relied on a service provider was for the balloon ride in Göreme (probably best not to fly a balloon by myself!).
Tip 2: Discover the Most Places to Visit in Turkey AND Also Explore Hidden Gems
I often hear the travel advice to avoid areas like Cappadocia or Izmir because they are “too touristy.” Especially as a travel vlogger in Turkey, you should have the desire to go off the beaten path and show your audience something new, but I have to confess I did not do that. I felt the only reason to go to a place was if I wanted to go there. The most popular tourist spots are famous for a reason, and I do recommend visiting places like the Princess’ Islands in Istanbul or the underground cities in Cappadocia – even if it means accepting the crowds.
Finding the right balance is key. In Ephesus near Izmir and the Kaymakli underground city, I experienced firsthand the downsides of guided tours and trips organized by travel agencies, and I was glad to be able to set my own schedule. This also allowed be to have a great to have a great time traveling in Bursa.
There is nothing wrong with hiring a guide for your Turkey trip, but make sure your personal travel plan allows enough time to truly experience these landmarks, rather than just rushing you through.
Tip 3: Konya is One of the Must-Visit Destinations when Traveling in Turkey
Konya is probably the most religious city in Turkey, far from the bustling nightlife of Istanbul or Izmir. Yet, I think it should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Turkey.
The reason is simple: Konya is a tourist hotspot full of historical landmarks – but it is not a place for large, all-inclusive resorts. Instead, it is famous for its history and amazing architecture. In the late medieval period, Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Turks’ Sultanate of Rum and the final home of Rumi (Mevlana). In 1273, Rumi’s followers established the Mevlevi Sufi order of Islam, known for the Whirling Dervishes. I attended a Dervish show and was deeply impressed.
What I like most about Konya is its relaxed atmosphere, combined with so much to experience. You will see travelers from around the world coming to explore the history of Sufism. It does not impose any religious beliefs on you; instead, it offers a fascinating way to experience this part of Muslim history. I was very impressed.
Tip 4: Take Your Time – The Turkey Travel Advice I Did Not Follow
Long story short – actually, too short for all my Turkey adventures, to be honest: Learn from my mistakes and take your time when traveling in Turkey. When I returned to Kinmen in Taiwan, I had no energy left to travel in Taiwan for several weeks simply because I was exhausted. My tight schedule, including night buses and hours on the back of a scooter, really took its toll. Early sunrises and long day trips are tiring, and a day to relax in between would have done me good.
Turkey is a huge country with so much history to explore. It also has a lot of tourist infrastructure, and while we all seek authentic experiences, I think it is okay to just be a tourist sometimes and take a break from the constant travel adventure. Keep in mind that, for my travel vlog, I was also carrying a camera and other extra equipment throughout the trip.
Tip 5: Take Day Trips to Explore Attractions Outside Istanbul and Other the Main Cities
While there are many amazing cities, traveling in Turkey is even better if you spend some time outside the urban areas. A great day trip from Istanbul, for example, is to the Princes’ Islands – a personal highlight of my Istanbul visit and my recommendation as a great place to go in Istanbul. The ferry is considered public transport, so just get an Istanbul Card, and off you go. The ferry schedules for all major ports are online, making it easy to plan your travels in Turkey.
Prepare for these day trips in advance. Depending on the location and timing, you might face some small challenges. For transportation, for example, Turkish people often use the dolmuş – a shared taxi or minibus that follows a set route. They are affordable and do not follow a fixed schedule; instead, they wait until most seats are taken at a major bus station, but they run frequently. I used dolmuş to get around Izmir and Selçuk, and it worked well.
As I mentioned, I had a lot of adventures in Turkey and have plenty more stories to share – like when I almost missed my flight back after crossing the Bosporus by bus. You can catch the details in my Bursa video, but for now, it is time to wrap up this post.
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