Troy Day Tour from Istanbul: Ancient City with Guide & Lunch

Nine cities built one on top of the other, dating back before 3500 BC, are still visible in the ruins you walk through.

A full-day guided tour from Istanbul to Troy includes hotel pickup from central Istanbul, a five-hour drive each way along the Sea of Marmara, a professional English-speaking guide, lunch in Eceabat, and a ferry crossing to the archaeological site. Your guide explains the mythology of the Trojan War, the history of Heinrich Schliemann's 1870s discovery, and the layered settlements excavated over time, so you move through the site understanding what you are standing in front of instead of guessing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Istanbul to Troy and back

• Early hotel pick up in Istanbul
• Drive to Troy with a refreshment break
• Lunch in Eceabat
• Ferry ride across the Dardanelles to Canakkale
• Guided tour of Troy archaeological site
• Ferry ride back to Eceabat
• Drive back to Istanbul with a refreshment break
• Drop off at hotel in Istanbul

The experience

The day starts with pickup between 6 and 7 am from your hotel in Taksim, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Aksaray or Fatih. The exact time depends on which area you are staying in, so contact the operator a day before to confirm. The drive to Troy takes about five hours along the Sea of Marmara with a break halfway for refreshments. You arrive in Eceabat for lunch before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry to the Troy archaeological site on the other side.

At Troy, your guide walks you through the defensive walls and the ruins of everyday houses that date back more than 3,000 years. The site holds nine cities built one on top of the other, with the most famous layer being the settlement Homer described in the Iliad: the ten-year war between the Greeks and Trojans. You also see the Hollywood horse from the movie. The guide explains not just what you are looking at, but how Schliemann found the city in the 1870s and what each layer reveals about the people who lived there across millennia.

After the tour and ferry ride back to Eceabat, the five-hour drive returns you to Istanbul with another break halfway. You are dropped at your hotel in the evening. The entire day runs 17 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Istanbul.
• professional English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• lunch in Eceabat.
• ferry crossing of the Dardanelles.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (7 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Crowded House Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to understand Troy's layered history and mythology instead of walking the ruins alone. The guide explains what each settlement reveals and how Schliemann rediscovered the city, so the nine cities and the Trojan War story come into focus as you move through the site.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the drive from Istanbul to Troy?

The drive to Troy takes about five hours each way along the Sea of Marmara, with a break halfway for refreshments on both the outbound and return journey.

What exactly is Troy and why is it famous?

Troy is the ancient city made famous by Homer's Iliad, the story of the ten-year Trojan War between Greeks and Trojans. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other at the site, dating back before 3500 BC, and your guide explains the mythology, the history of its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s, and what each layer reveals about the settlements.

What does the tour include besides the guide and the drive?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch in Eceabat, a ferry ride across the Dardanelles to the archaeological site, and all taxes and fees. Drinks are not included, so bring water or purchase refreshments along the way.

Which areas of Istanbul does pickup cover?

Pickup is available from hotels in Taksim, Karaköy, Galata, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Aksaray and Fatih between 6 and 7 am depending on location. There is no pickup from the Asian side of Istanbul, so contact the operator one day before to confirm your exact pickup time and location.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes, a vegetarian lunch option is available. Let the operator know at the time of booking if you need it.