Cheap 3-Day Turkey Road Trip Vacation in Istanbul

Your exciting road trip through Turkey starts when you reach the incredible city of Istanbul, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Istanbul and begin your adventure in Turkey.

Istanbul is a popular cheap holiday destination in Turkey with something to offer every traveler. More than a city in Turkey, Istanbul is also a great place to find top-rated budget accommodations in Turkey.

In Istanbul, one best-rated budget hotel we recommend is The Green Park Hotel Pendik & Convention Center. This 5-star hotel is a favorite among travelers, as seen in its average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars from 4,541 guests.

Budget-conscious travelers also enjoy staying at Grand Unal. Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars by 1,202 former guests, this 4-star hotel is perfect for travelers looking for a temporary place to stay in Istanbul.

Residence is another low-cost accommodation best for price-conscious travelers. This budget-friendly 3-star hotel in Istanbul has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars in over 612 reviews.

These top-rated accommodations in Istanbul are popular and get fully-booked fast. If unavailable during your trip to the city, our system will automatically recommend you the best, affordable alternatives.

When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Istanbul and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Galata Tower will make your cheap holiday in Turkey truly special. This attraction is a fascinating tower that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 140,276 visitors.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. An excellent example is the popular Hanzade Terrace Restaurant. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 5,898 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Turkey is Mivan Restaurant & Cafe. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 3,913 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Saltanat Fish & Kebab House. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,112 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Arch Bistro is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 798 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Istanbul we recommend is Flekk, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 576 customers.

Harab'be Cafe is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,610 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Turkey!

Today's agenda is to explore Fatih and discover what this fabulous and cheap holiday destination offers. Expect amazing attractions, a great dining experience, and a wonderful time discovering the daily lives of locals with 1 night left in Istanbul.

You’ll begin this day’s adventure with a visit to the top-rated Grand Bazaar. This incredible attraction is a bazaar that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 117,762 visitors.

Another highlight of this cheap holiday package is a trip to the fascinating Hagia Sophia. This spectacular minor basilica and tourist destination has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 111,022 reviews.

It’s hard to pass up the chance to see the famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque during a vacation in Fatih. Ranking high up on many travelers’ bucket lists, the amazing Sultan Ahmed Mosque has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 82,741 reviews.

This day of your road trip in Turkey is also the perfect opportunity to see the outstanding Süleymaniye Mosque. This popular place of interest in Fatih is a valued mosque that has a rating of 4.9 out of a 5-star rating from 43,429 visitors.

Keen to do something new and one-of-a-kind today? There are many experiences you can add to your cheap vacation package to make your road trip in Turkey more special. Check out all the budget-friendly activities and tours below and bag a cheap holiday deal.

After taking in the best of Fatih, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Istanbul for a well-deserved rest. When you’re ready to eat, indulge yourself to a nice meal at one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.

Divella Bistro Restaurant is an excellent example. Here you can enjoy good food and service at affordable prices. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,711 customers.

Turkish Cuisine is another great restaurant option for budget travelers in Istanbul. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and savory meals at low prices and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,399 customers.

Locals enjoy dining at İstanbul kebab cafe & restaurant, and you might want to check it out too. This restaurant has an exciting menu and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 1,220 reviews.

After a lovely dinner at one of the best places to eat in Istanbul, visit one of the most popular drinking spots in the city. Relax, grab a drink or two, chat with friendly locals, and enjoy the rest of your evening in Istanbul.

Joker No.19 is a fantastic bar many locals in Istanbul recognize. This popular bar is an excellent place to unwind after a busy day and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,483 customers.

You can also enjoy a few drinks and some snacks at Corner Irish Pub, another popular bar in the city. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,406 customers.

Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant is a local favorite and a great place to hang out and socialize with other travelers in Istanbul. Customers have rated the exciting Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 1,647 reviews.

Raise your glass and savor every moment of your cheap holiday experience in Turkey!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Turkey as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 3 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Istanbul.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Turkey.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your leisurely self-drive vacation in Turkey.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Istanbul is the remarkable Spice Bazaar. This bazaar and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 138,947 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Istanbul, consider a top-rated restaurant like Gulhane Sark Sofrasi. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,078 customers.

Arch Bistro is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 798 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is İBB Kasımpaşa Sosyal Tesisleri. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,846 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Turkey and your fun memories in Istanbul.

You’ll then say farewell to Istanbul and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Turkey!