Cheap 5-Day Turkey Road Trip from Istanbul to Kocaeli

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. 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 Sultanahmet Square will make your cheap holiday in Turkey truly special. This attraction is a fascinating park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 30,938 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.

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 Harab'be Cafe, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,610 customers.

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

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Turkey, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Fatih and end your day in the city of Kocaeli, where you'll stay for 2 nights. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Fatih is the amazing Grand Bazaar. This travel destination is a bazaar that has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 145,525 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Spice Bazaar. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 164,946 travelers, a visit to this well-known bazaar and sightseeing spot in Fatih is likely to make your vacation in Turkey even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Fatih is the outstanding Gülhane Park. This park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 59,778 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Turkey, drop by the popular Topkapı Palace. This attraction, an amazing palace, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 95,040 travelers. As one of the top sights in Fatih, there’s no wonder that the spectacular Topkapı Palace attracts about 1,932,726 visitors annually.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Hagia Sophia. This minor basilica is a popular attraction rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 127,439 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Turkey. To have the best affordable travel experience in Turkey, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Turkey unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Turkey.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Kocaeli. Kocaeli is another cheap travel destination in Turkey where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Turkey can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Kocaeli that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Kocaeli is Başol Steak House Et Kasap. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 917 customers.

Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Kocaeli enjoy dining at this restaurant.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Kocaeli’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Turkey.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Turkey!

Day 3 of your exciting, laid-back road trip across Turkey is proof that there's more to the city of Bolu than meets the eye. Today's agenda is to explore Bolu 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 Kocaeli.

You’ll begin this day’s adventure with a visit to the top-rated Kocaeli Science Center. This incredible attraction is a science center that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 2,951 visitors.

Another highlight of this cheap holiday package is a trip to the fascinating Yeni Cuma (Pertev Mehmet Paşa) Camii. This spectacular mosque and tourist destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,606 reviews.

It’s hard to pass up the chance to see the famous Kocaeli Kent Ormanı during a vacation in Bolu. Ranking high up on many travelers’ bucket lists, the amazing Kocaeli Kent Ormanı has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars in 1,918 reviews.

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 Bolu, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Kocaeli 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.

Here you can enjoy good food and service at affordable prices.

After a lovely dinner at one of the best places to eat in Kocaeli, 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 Kocaeli.

Doping Bar is a fantastic bar many locals in Kocaeli recognize. This popular bar is an excellent place to unwind after a busy day and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 111 customers.

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

Day 4 of your road trip across Turkey offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Beşiktaş and the enchanting Beşiktaş, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Beşiktaş and end the day in Beşiktaş, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 4 of your affordable vacation in Turkey will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Beşiktaş is the magnificent Kocaeli Science Center. Around 2,951 visitors have rated this excellent science center and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Yeni Cuma (Pertev Mehmet Paşa) Camii on this leg of your self-drive tour in Turkey. This attraction is a well-known mosque that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from around 1,606 travelers.

The remarkable Kocaeli Kent Ormanı is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Turkey. This attraction, an amazing park, is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,918 travelers.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque). This popular site is a valued mosque in Beşiktaş and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 32,994 visitors.

Another must-visit in Beşiktaş is the spectacular Yıldız Park. This outstanding park and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 33,205 travelers.

You can also stop at the popular Dolmabahçe Palace to make your cheap holiday experience in Beşiktaş truly special. This palace and place of interest has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 75,692 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Turkey. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Turkey. Make your cheap holiday experience in Turkey more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Istanbul offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Turkey. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Istanbul offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Turkey.

Saltanat Fish & Kebab House is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,112 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Istanbul is Divella Bistro Restaurant, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,711 customers.

Turkish Cuisine offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Istanbul. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,399 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Istanbul’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Turkey with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Turkey!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Turkey as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 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.

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 Beyazıt Square. This square and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 24,941 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Istanbul, consider a top-rated restaurant like İstanbul kebab cafe & restaurant. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,220 customers.

Gulhane Sark Sofrasi 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 1,078 customers.

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!