Cheap 4-Day Turkey Road Trip from Istanbul to Kocaeli

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. 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 Gülhane Park 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 59,778 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

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 Garden Mezze | Steakhouse Restaurant | Fine Dining | Top Turkish Restaurant | Seafood | Breakfast. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 1,884 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!

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 Istanbul and end your day in the city of Kocaeli, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Istanbul 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 Süleymaniye Mosque. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 51,661 travelers, a visit to this well-known mosque and sightseeing spot in Istanbul is likely to make your vacation in Turkey even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Istanbul is the outstanding Spice Bazaar. This bazaar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 164,946 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Turkey, drop by the popular Sultanahmet Square. This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 30,938 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Sultan Ahmed Mosque. This mosque is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 91,956 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 Mini Köşk Köfte. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 10,530 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Kocaeli, Kebapçı Mehmet Usta is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,709 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Bilgiçler Et - Köfte - Ereğli. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Kocaeli enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,795 customers.

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. For example, you can visit Lezzet Kebap Diyarı İzmit. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 577 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Baron Bar. This popular bar in Kocaeli has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 194 bar-goers.

You can also go to DURAK TANTUNI KOKOREÇ as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular DURAK TANTUNI KOKOREÇ is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 362 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

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

Day 3 of your self-drive vacation in Turkey gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Beyoğlu and end your day in the city of Istanbul.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Istanbul for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Turkey.

While you’re in Beyoğlu, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Galata Tower. The fantastic Galata Tower is a popular tower and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 169,479 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Beyoğlu, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Istanbul.

Make Topkapı Palace your first stop. This popular palace among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 95,040 visitors. Based on recent data, the remarkable Topkapı Palace is visited by more than 1,932,726 travelers from across the world.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Istanbul is the outstanding Hagia Sophia. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 127,439 visitors, this remarkable minor basilica and attraction deserves a spot on your Turkey travel bucket list.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Basilica Cistern. This attraction, a stunning palace, has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 68,033 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Galata Tower. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 169,479 travelers, this tower is an attraction many avid travelers highly recommend.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Turkey. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Turkey and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Istanbul. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Istanbul, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Saltanat Fish & Kebab House, one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,112 customers.

Divella Bistro Restaurant is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Divella Bistro Restaurant is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,711 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Turkish Cuisine, another well-loved restaurant in Istanbul. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,399 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Turkey.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Istanbul, Vamos Estambul Restaurant & Cafe. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,447 bar goers.

Joker No.19 is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Istanbul, with its average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,483 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Corner Irish Pub, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,406 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Turkey. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Turkey!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Turkey as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 4 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.

Byzantion Bistro Restaurant 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 1,165 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Gulhane Sark Sofrasi. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,078 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!