Explore Türkiye on Weekends
Your Erasmus semester is the perfect time to explore Türkiye beyond your university city. With affordable domestic flights, comfortable buses, and well-connected trains, weekend trips are easy and budget-friendly.
Local Buddy Tip
ESN organizes group trips almost every weekend! Check your local section's social media for upcoming trips — they're usually much cheaper than booking solo.
Top Weekend Destinations
- Cappadocia — hot air balloons, fairy chimneys, cave hotels (2-day trip)
- Pamukkale — white travertine terraces, ancient Hierapolis (day trip from İzmir)
- Ephesus — one of the best-preserved ancient cities (day trip from İzmir)
- Antalya — beaches, old town, waterfalls (2-day trip)
- Safranbolu — Ottoman architecture, UNESCO heritage (1-day trip from Ankara)
- Princes' Islands — car-free islands near Istanbul (day trip)
- Black Sea coast — lush green mountains, tea plantations (2-3 day trip)
Transportation Options
Getting around Türkiye is quite affordable compared to Western Europe. Here are your main options:
- Domestic flights: Pegasus and AnadoluJet offer student discounts (₺300–₺800 one way)
- Intercity buses: Comfortable and cheap (₺200–₺500). Try Metro, Kamil Koç, or Pamukkale
- YHT (High-Speed Train): Ankara↔Istanbul, Ankara↔Eskişehir, Ankara↔Konya
- BlaBlaCar: Carpooling is popular and very affordable
- Rent a car: Consider for group trips (share costs with 3-4 friends)
Local Buddy Tip
Book bus tickets on obilet.com — you can compare prices across all companies and book in English. For flights, check Pegasus Airlines for the cheapest fares.
Budget Tips
- Travel in groups of 4-6 to split accommodation costs
- Book hostels on Hostelworld — most have dorms for ₺300–₺600/night
- Visit museums on "Museum Card" days for free or discounted entry
- Eat at local "lokanta" restaurants for ₺80–₺150 per meal
- Use student discounts on all transportation and attractions