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Self-Drive Tour: Turkey – Istanbul & Eastern Thrace

Not Rated
Duration

5-day

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

___

Overview

Istanbul is the most moving destination a Greek traveller can reach in their own car. From Alexandroupoli it’s a few hours’ drive, and along the way Eastern Thrace hides Edirne, with Sinan’s architectural masterpiece. Travelling by car gives you the freedom to stop wherever you like — but once inside the City, the car stays parked.

The self-drive route

The crossing is at Kipoi (Evros) towards İpsala. From there motorway O-3 leads to Tekirdağ and Istanbul. Edirne is a little further north and is worth an overnight stay. Important: traffic inside Istanbul is extremely heavy — leave the car at the hotel and get around by tram, metro and ferry. For motorways and bridges you’ll need HGS (an electronic toll tag), available at the border or at a PTT post office.

History

No introduction needed: Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul — capital of three empires across sixteen centuries. Hagia Sophia (537) was, for a thousand years, the largest church in the Christian world. Edirne was the Ottoman capital before the conquest of Constantinople; the Selimiye Mosque, by the architect Sinan, is a UNESCO monument and considered his finest work.

Highlights

Hagia Sophia, the Chora Church with its mosaics, the Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome; Topkapı Palace and the Blue Mosque; the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener; the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar; a cruise on the Bosphorus and the Prince Islands; and in Edirne, the Selimiye Mosque and the old covered bazaar.

Food

Istanbul’s cuisine is among the richest in the Mediterranean: meze, fish on the Bosphorus, every kind of kebab, balık ekmek (fish sandwich) in Eminönü, syrupy desserts and baklava. In Edirne, try the local fried liver (ciğer). Tea is served constantly and everywhere.

Nightlife

Beyoğlu and İstiklal are the heart of nightlife, with meyhane (taverns serving raki and meze), bars and live music. Kadıköy on the Asian side has a younger, more relaxed character. Evenings by the Bosphorus, with the bridges lit up, are the image that stays with you.

Useful information

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). Time zone: same as Greece. Border: Kipoi–İpsala (main) or Kastanies–Pazarkule. You’ll need a passport (not an ID card), vehicle registration, a green card covering Turkey, and HGS for tolls. Your vehicle is logged against your passport on entry. Best time to visit: April–June and September–November.

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Price and availability last updated: 21 September 2026

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No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.

  • The price drops
  • A new departure date opens
  • Only a few seats are left
  • It becomes available again
Thinking about it? Put it in your plan and compare later.

Things to do there

We arrange your trip. For the days in between, these two partners cover tours, tickets and activities in Turkey.

These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.

Internet abroad, no roaming chargesMyEsim — Greek eSIM for 180+ countries, set up before you fly. 10% off as our customer.LIASTRAVELMyEsim →

  • Accommodation at selected properties with breakfast
  • Suggested route and sightseeing itinerary
  • Office support before and during your trip
  • Transport to/from the destination — you travel in your own car
  • Fuel, tolls and green card insurance
  • Taxes, surcharges and fees where not stated
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance fees to museums and sights
  • Meals and drinks (other than breakfast)
  • Optional excursions and guided tours
  • Personal expenses and anything not listed under "Included"

Konstadinoypoli
Thrace
Turkey
Thrace

All year round

5-6 days

Paralia & Chalarosi

Middle East

Individual trips
Self-drive

Athens
Thessaloniki

Tour's Location

What is the best time of year for this trip?

This trip is tailored to you, so you choose the dates yourself. We're happy to advise you on the best season for this destination and how weather, prices and crowds change throughout the year — just let us know roughly when you're thinking of travelling.

What does the price include?

The essentials included are:

  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • Suggested route & sightseeing itinerary
  • Office support

Transport is not included — this is a trip in your own car. The full list of what is and isn't included is in the "Included / Not included" section of the page.

Is the "From €X" price what I'll actually pay?

Not necessarily. The "From €X" price is the lowest price currently available, based on flight and hotel availability for those specific dates. Since availability changes daily, the final price for your trip may differ. We'll send you a final, written quote before you're charged anything, once you tell us the dates you're interested in.

Why does the price change depending on the date?

Flight and hotel prices change daily depending on the season, demand, day of the week and how far in advance you book. That's why the price you see is indicative — the earlier you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.

How much does a single room cost?

The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination and is included in the price/quote you receive for your specific dates. If you're travelling alone, let us know from the start so the quote includes the correct single-room price right away.

When do I pay for my trip?

Payment is made immediately upon booking. For certain properties with their own payment policy (e.g. a deposit or a specific payment deadline), we will inform you explicitly before you proceed, so you know exactly the terms.

If I book now, is the price locked in?

Yes — once your booking is completed, the price is fixed and is not affected by later changes in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price can only change before your booking is finalised.

Is there a surcharge if I depart from a different city?

As this is a trip in your own car, there is no departure surcharge — you start from wherever suits you.

What travel documents do I need?

For your trip within Greece, a valid ID card or passport is enough. If you're travelling by air, you'll need an official photo ID for airport checks. For minors travelling, please check what documentation may be required.

Can I change dates or cancel?

Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked on your behalf, so the cost depends on how close to departure we are and each fare's rules. Let us know as early as possible and we'll look for the least costly solution. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.

Is travel insurance included?

Travel insurance is not included in the price unless explicitly stated in the page's inclusions. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the European Union, so that medical care, cancellation and luggage loss are covered. We can arrange it for you — just ask when booking.

Can the trip be customised?

Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There's no fixed itinerary or coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the overnight stays, the hotel category, add or remove destinations, and arrange transfers, car hire or private guided tours.

How do I book?

Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or visit our office. We'll get back to you with availability and a written quote before anything is charged.

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