14 Day Turkey Road Trip From London: A Day by Day Itinerary

By Jean Genevieve Updated October 2026

A 14 day Turkey road trip from London typically covers Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Izmir and Gallipoli by rental car, starting and ending in Istanbul. Direct flights from London take around 4 hours. UK passport holders can enter Turkey visa free for up to 90 days, and a mid-size rental car generally costs €30 to €55 per day depending on season and vehicle class.

Nearly 62 million international visitors arrived in Turkey in 2025 according to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the country remains one of Europe's most popular self-drive destinations thanks to its mix of ancient ruins, mountain scenery and coastline. This guide updates the original 14 day itinerary from London to Turkey with 2026 pricing, current entry rules, and a day by day plan that takes you from the mosques of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the travertine terraces of Pamukkale.

This is a self-drive road trip itinerary rather than a list of guided day tours. If you would rather join organized excursions from a single base such as Antalya, Istanbul or Marmaris, the daily distances below still work well as reference points for planning shorter loops. Renting your own vehicle for a self-drive road trip generally gives more flexibility over stops and timing than joining fixed departure tours.

Key Takeaways

• Visa. British citizens can enter Turkey for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 day period, though this can change, so check current rules before you travel.

• Route shape. The loop below covers roughly 2,600 to 2,800 km over 14 days, averaging under 4 hours of driving on travel days, with 2 full rest stops built in at Istanbul and Cappadocia.

• Fuel costs have risen sharply. Petrol in Turkey is running at roughly 60 to 65 lira per litre in 2026, materially higher than in past years, so budgeting fuel by percentage of trip cost rather than a fixed euro figure is safer.

• Book cave hotels and balloon rides early. Cappadocia's cave hotels and sunrise balloon slots can sell out weeks ahead in spring and early autumn, which are the two busiest shoulder seasons.

Quick Facts: 14 Day Turkey Road Trip

Best Time to Do This 14 Day Turkey Itinerary

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) generally offer the most comfortable driving conditions for this route, with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20s Celsius on the coast and in Cappadocia. Summer (June to August) is hot across central Anatolia and the Mediterranean coast, often exceeding 35 Celsius in Konya and Antalya, and beaches and Pamukkale get considerably more crowded. For a broader seasonal breakdown by region, Final Rentals covers this in more depth in its guide to the best time to visit Turkey.

Winter (December to February) is workable for the Istanbul, Ankara and coastal legs, but snow and ice are common on the Cappadocia to Konya road and through the Taurus Mountains toward Antalya, so this itinerary is best treated as a warm season plan rather than a year round route.

Day 1: Departure from London to Istanbul

Direct flights from Heathrow (LHR) to Istanbul Airport (IST) typically take around 4 hours, with round trip fares commonly ranging from roughly £250 to £450 depending on season and how far ahead you book. Istanbul Airport is among the busiest in Europe, so allow extra time for immigration during peak summer months.

Car Rental at Istanbul Airport

Head to the car rental counters after collecting your luggage, or arrange pickup with a company that meets you curbside. Booking ahead of arrival tends to secure better rates and wider vehicle availability than booking on the day, particularly in July and August. If you are travelling as a family or with a lot of luggage for a 14 day trip, choosing the right vehicle for exploring Turkey before you land makes the counter process faster.

Istanbul International Airport car rental desks are located in the arrivals hall of both the international and domestic terminals, and this is the natural starting and ending point for the loop below.

A mid-size rental car for this kind of self-drive road trip typically runs €30 to €55 per day depending on season, vehicle class and how far in advance you book, with SUVs and automatics generally priced toward the higher end.

Requirements to Rent a Car in Turkey

Age, documentation and insurance requirements vary by rental company, so always confirm specifics at the time of booking.

Age Requirements

• Most companies set the minimum age to rent a car at 21, though drivers under 23 to 25 may face a young driver surcharge depending on the company and vehicle category.

• Some agencies apply an upper age limit, commonly between 70 and 75, though this varies by company.

Documentation Needed

• A valid driving licence is required. If your licence is not printed in Latin script, an international driving permit is generally required alongside it.

• A passport valid for at least 150 days beyond your arrival date is typically required for UK citizens entering Turkey, per current UK government travel advice.

• A credit card in the main driver's name is usually needed to cover the security deposit, which commonly runs from around $500 to $1,000 or more depending on the vehicle and company.

Insurance Requirements

Basic third party cover is usually included in the rental price, but excess or damage cover varies significantly between operators. It is worth reviewing what rental car insurance actually covers before you decline or add extra protection at the counter, since add ons for additional drivers can carry the same insurance conditions as the main policy. Rental car insurance is separate from travel insurance, which covers medical costs, cancellations and lost luggage rather than vehicle damage, and it is worth carrying both for an international road trip of this length.

Driving Considerations in Turkey

Some companies ask for at least one year of driving experience for standard vehicles and two years for premium or luxury models. Typical speed limits are around 50 km/h in built up areas, 90 km/h on rural highways, and 120 km/h on motorways, though signed limits always take priority. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants, and using a handheld phone while driving is not permitted.

Accommodation and Food in Istanbul

Budget hotels in Istanbul commonly run €50 to €80 per night, with mid-range options around €100 to €160. Sultanahmet puts you within walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, while Taksim and Beyoğlu offer more nightlife and a wider restaurant scene. A meal at a local restaurant typically costs €10 to €18 per person; classics to try include kebabs, mezes and baklava.

Additional Tips for Day 1

• Petrol in Turkey is running at roughly 60 to 65 lira per litre in 2026 (about €1.10 to €1.30, though this shifts with the exchange rate), so plan fuel stops with a fuel policy in mind, since full to full remains the most common and cost effective option.

• A local SIM or eSIM, bought at the airport or online before you fly, makes GPS navigation and communication considerably easier for the rest of the trip.

• Google Maps and Yandex Maps both work well in Turkey; Yandex sometimes has more accurate traffic data in Istanbul specifically.

Days 2 to 3: Explore Istanbul

Begin with Hagia Sophia (entry roughly €25 to €30 as of 2026, since it now charges foreign visitors a dedicated ticket fee separate from its use as a working mosque) and the nearby Blue Mosque, which remains free to enter outside prayer times with donations welcome. Continue to Topkapi Palace (entry around €20 to €25), former residence of Ottoman sultans, then the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest covered markets, where bargaining is expected and normal.

For deeper context on the sites in this section, Final Rentals covers the historical sites in Istanbul in a dedicated guide with more background on each landmark.

Bosphorus Cruise and Taksim Square

A public ferry or private Bosphorus cruise, typically €15 to €25 for a scenic tour, gives good skyline views of both the European and Asian sides of the city. In the evening, Taksim Square and pedestrianised Istiklal Street offer shopping, restaurants and street performers.

Accommodation and Food, Days 2 to 3

Staying central in Sultanahmet or Taksim keeps travel time low. Budget hotels run €50 to €80 per night, mid-range options €100 to €160. A traditional meal typically costs €10 to €18 per person; try kebabs, mezes and Turkish delight for dessert.

Day 4: Istanbul to Ankara

The drive to Ankara, Turkey's capital, covers approximately 450 km and typically takes 5 to 6 hours on well maintained motorways. Leaving Istanbul before 8am helps you avoid the worst of the city's notoriously heavy morning traffic.

Alternative option. Travellers short on time sometimes fly this leg instead of driving; Ankara is served by Ankara Esenboğa Airport car rental desks if you want to pick up your vehicle there and skip the road segment, though this itinerary assumes the scenic overland route.

Explore Ankara

• Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, is free to enter and widely regarded as one of the country's most significant national monuments.

• The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (entry around €8 to €10) houses artefacts from prehistoric to Ottoman times.

• Ankara Castle offers panoramic city views and is free to enter, with cafes and shops in the surrounding old quarter.

Accommodation and Food in Ankara

Budget hotels run roughly €40 to €65 per night, mid-range €80 to €130. Try iskender kebab and manti (Turkish dumplings), typically €10 to €16 per meal.

Days 5 to 6: Ankara to Cappadocia

The drive to Cappadocia covers approximately 280 km and takes 3 to 4 hours through central Anatolia's open countryside.

Discovering Cappadocia

• Visit the fairy chimney rock formations around Göreme, part of the wider network of protected landscapes covered in Final Rentals' guide to national parks in Turkey.

• Hot air balloon rides typically cost €150 to €220 per person in 2026 and should be booked several days ahead in peak season, since good weather slots fill quickly.

Day 6: Deeper Exploration

• Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cave churches and frescoes, costs roughly €10 to €12 to enter.

• Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground cities, once shelter for entire communities, cost around €8 to €10 to enter.

Accommodation and Food in Cappadocia

Cave hotels are a signature experience here; budget options run €55 to €85 per night, mid-range €90 to €150. Try testi kebab (pottery kebab) and gözleme (savoury pancakes), typically €10 to €16 per meal.

Day 7: Cappadocia to Konya

The drive to Konya covers roughly 230 km and takes about 3 hours through central Turkey's steppe landscape.

Explore Konya

• The Mevlana Museum, resting place of the poet and Sufi mystic Rumi, is free to enter and offers a quieter, more contemplative visit than most stops on this route.

• Alaeddin Hill is a historic park with panoramic city views, good for a short walk.

• Selimiye Mosque showcases Ottoman architecture and is free to enter.

Accommodation, Food and Tips in Konya

Budget hotels run €40 to €65 per night, mid-range €70 to €110. Try etli ekmek (a Turkish flatbread) and tandır kebabı (slow cooked lamb), typically €8 to €14 per meal. Konya is culturally conservative, so modest dress is appreciated, especially near religious sites.

Day 8: Konya to Antalya

The drive to the Mediterranean coast covers roughly 300 km and takes 4 to 5 hours, dropping from the central plateau through the Taurus Mountains to sea level.

Explore Antalya

• Lara Beach and Konyaaltı Beach both offer free public access, with sunbed and umbrella rental typically €5 to €12.

• Kaleiçi (the old town) has narrow historic streets and Hadrian's Gate, a Roman era archway marking its entrance.

• Antalya Museum (entry roughly €8 to €10) covers the region's Greco Roman and Ottoman history.

A Note on Antalya Day Trips

If you extend your stay in Antalya beyond this itinerary, the surrounding province has strong short excursion options within an hour or two of the city, including Köprülü Canyon National Park for rafting and hiking, and the ancient port city of Phaselis. These work well as add on day trips rather than full itinerary stops, since most sit under 90 minutes from central Antalya.

Accommodation and Food in Antalya

Budget hotels run €55 to €80 per night, mid-range €85 to €140. Fresh seafood is a highlight here; for a broader look at regional dishes worth seeking out on this route, Final Rentals has a dedicated foodie road trip in Turkey guide. Try piyaz (bean salad) and grilled fish, typically €10 to €18 per meal.

Days 9 to 10: Antalya to Pamukkale

The drive to Pamukkale covers roughly 240 km and takes 3 to 4 hours through varied coastal and inland scenery.

Explore Pamukkale

• The white travertine terraces, formed by mineral rich thermal water, require an entry fee of roughly €15 to €18 as of 2026, which also covers the adjoining archaeological site.

• Hierapolis, the ancient city above the terraces, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site included in the same ticket, with a large amphitheatre and ancient baths.

• Cleopatra's Pool, a separate thermal pool among the ruins, carries an additional charge of roughly €12 to €15.

Accommodation and Food in Pamukkale

Budget hotels run €40 to €65 per night, mid-range €70 to €110. Comfortable, non-slip footwear is worth packing specifically for walking on the wet, mineral coated terraces. Visiting early morning or late afternoon avoids both the worst crowds and the strongest midday sun.

Day 11: Pamukkale to Ephesus

The drive covers approximately 190 km and takes 2 to 3 hours.

Explore Ephesus

• The Library of Celsus is one of the best preserved Roman era structures in Turkey and among the most photographed sites on this route.

• The Great Theatre once held an estimated 25,000 spectators.

• The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, survives today only as a handful of columns, but remains a notable stop for its history.

• The House of the Virgin Mary, a short drive from the main site, is a pilgrimage destination believed to be where Mary spent her final years.

Accommodation and Food near Ephesus

Staying in nearby Selçuk keeps you close to the site entrance. Budget hotels run €40 to €65 per night, mid-range €70 to €110. Try İzmir köfte (meatballs) and baklava for dessert. Hiring a licensed guide at the entrance, typically €35 to €55, adds useful context that signage alone does not cover.

Day 12: Ephesus to Izmir

The drive to Izmir is short, roughly 80 km and 1 to 2 hours. If you are flying home from the Aegean coast rather than looping back to Istanbul, İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport car rental desks make Izmir a practical drop off point.

Explore Izmir

• Kemeraltı Market is a large working bazaar good for souvenirs and street food.

• The Izmir Clock Tower in Konak Square, built in 1901, is one of the city's most photographed landmarks.

• The Ancient Agora of Smyrna (entry roughly €6 to €8) preserves Roman era ruins in the middle of the modern city.

• The Kordon coastal promenade is lined with cafes and makes a pleasant place to end the day.

Accommodation and Food in Izmir

Budget hotels run €50 to €80 per night, mid-range €85 to €140. Try boyoz (a local pastry) and seafood meze, typically €10 to €18 per meal.

Day 13: Izmir to Gallipoli

The drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula covers roughly 330 km and takes 4 to 5 hours.

Explore Gallipoli

• The Gallipoli battlefields, site of the World War I campaign, are dotted with memorials and cemeteries.

• ANZAC Cove marks where Australian and New Zealand forces landed in 1915.

• The Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials honour soldiers from multiple nations who fought in the campaign.

Accommodation and Food near Gallipoli

Staying in Eceabat or Çanakkale puts you close to the ferry crossings and battlefield sites. Budget hotels run €40 to €65 per night, mid-range €70 to €110. Meals typically cost €8 to €14 per person. If you want to visit winter holiday destinations in Turkey or extend this trip into the cooler months, this leg of the route stays passable, unlike the mountain roads further east.

Day 14: Gallipoli to Istanbul

The final drive back to Istanbul covers around 300 km and takes 4 to 5 hours, following the Marmara Sea coastline. Leaving early helps you avoid Istanbul's afternoon traffic and gives a buffer before your flight.

Essential Return Tips

• Confirm your rental agreement's fuel policy before returning the car; most Turkish rental companies expect a full tank at drop off unless you prepaid for fuel.

• Return your vehicle at the Istanbul International Airport car rental desk with time to spare, since drop off inspections during peak hours can take 20 to 30 minutes.

• Allow at least 3 hours before an international departure from Istanbul Airport given its size and typical security queue times.

Expert Tips for This Route

• Book the Cappadocia to Antalya to Pamukkale leg with flexible cancellation. Weather can occasionally ground hot air balloon flights and, in winter, close mountain passes; hotels with free cancellation up to 24 or 48 hours before arrival give you room to adjust the plan without losing money.

• Carry a printed copy of your rental agreement and insurance summary. On multi day road trips through areas with patchy mobile signal, such as parts of the Taurus Mountains between Konya and Antalya, having paperwork on hand speeds up any roadside checks or, in the rare event of an incident, insurance claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Turkey in 2026?

No. British citizens can typically enter Turkey visa free for tourism for up to 90 days within any 180 day period, according to current UK government travel advice.

How much does a 14 day Turkey road trip cost from London?

Budget travellers can typically expect to spend roughly £900 to £1,400 per person over 14 days, covering flights, a mid-size rental car, budget to mid-range hotels and local meals. Costs rise significantly with cave hotels, hot air balloon rides and higher vehicle categories.

Is it safe to self-drive this route?

Most of this route runs on well maintained motorways and highways. Mountain sections between Cappadocia, Konya and Antalya can be affected by winter weather, so this itinerary is best driven between April and October.

Can this itinerary be done in winter?

The Istanbul, Ankara and Gallipoli legs remain workable in winter. The Cappadocia to Konya to Antalya mountain sections can see snow and ice, so travellers visiting between December and February often shorten the loop or substitute in ski resorts near Istanbul for the central Anatolia leg instead.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Turkey?

If your driving licence is not printed in Latin script, an International Driving Permit is generally required alongside it. UK licences printed in the standard format are usually accepted without one, but requirements can vary by rental company, so it is worth checking at the time of booking.

Can I fly into one airport and out of another?

Yes, one way rentals between cities such as Istanbul and Izmir are commonly available, though they may carry a drop off fee. This itinerary is written as a loop back to Istanbul, but İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Dalaman Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport are all realistic alternative pickup or drop off points if you want to shorten the drive.

Plan Your Turkey Road Trip With Final Rentals

A trip like this depends on having the right vehicle waiting when you land and clear terms if your plans change along the way. Final Rentals lists transparent daily rates, clear fuel and deposit terms, and pickup points at Turkey's main airports, so you can compare options before you travel rather than at the counter. You can rent a car in Turkey with Final Rentals and check current vehicle availability for your travel dates.

Ready to start planning the rest of your trip? Book affordable car rentals with Final Rentals and compare vehicles for your Turkey road trip today.

About the Author

Jean Genevieve is a travel and car rental content specialist at FinalRentals, creating practical travel content that showcases partner locations worldwide. Her work focuses on helping international travellers understand rental requirements, driving considerations, road conditions, insurance and self drive planning before they travel.