I am in the VERY beginning stage of planning a driving tour of western Turkey for next fall. I know I will have lots and lots of questions, but I have a couple I need to start with.

We want to fly into Izmir, get a car, and then drive up to Troy. How far/long a drive is that?

Can anyone recommend a good hotel in that area? I need to get 2 rooms and would like to keep the cost under $150 per night per room. Willing to pay for unique, interesting places.

Finally, how long should we plan on scheduling to see the ruins at Troy? Is there anything else nearby that shouldn't be missed?

As always - the information I get from Fodorites is invaluable! I appreciate your help!

Hi Grcxx3,

I think you are flying to Izmir for your Ephesus. If you are I have to say that 4 hours non-stop to Troia BUT there is one more IMPORTANT ruin between them. That is PERGAMUM. I do not want you miss this ruin.

If you start your day in the morning (8.30, 9.00AM) you may arrive to Pergamum around 12 or 1.00PM and you may have lunch or continue your PERGAMUM visit like ASCLEPION(oldest hospital for mental), The City of Pergamum and Red Tower. You may finish these places (Ofcourse it depends on your interest) around 4-5 and continue to TROIA (1.5 hours drive) ruins opens untill 5.30PM, so drive to hotel you are going to stay then the day after you can visit TROIA (Takes an hour)

unique hotel in taha area would be in BEHRAMKALE not in Canakkale if you can find this small town you will love it and there are many hotels there less then $100 for double room (Included breakfast)Hotel Nazlihan or Behram Hotel is great hotels. Also you may have change to visit ASSOS which is another important ruin which is still under excavation.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz

We will be arriving in Izmir about 2 pm. Sounds like it is a 4-5 hour drive to Troy - which will be too much to do on that day.

My plan is to fly in, visit Troy (and anthing else of interest) and then head back to Selcuk and stay a couple of nights there before heading to Pamukule and then to Bodrum (or somewhere in that vicinity).

Are there any good hotels near Pergamum? Maybe we could stay there and make a day trip to Troy.

Canakkale is the closest town to Truva. Focus your search there for a place to stay. Because of its proximity to Gallipoli, Canakkale has many small hotels to accomodate all those who come every year to pay respects to the fallen soldiers.

There are very comfortable and frequent busses between Izmir and Canakkale if you think you'd prefer to let someone else do the driving. Once in town there is an area where the local dolmus park. This is where you will go to catch a bus to Truva. Also, of course you can hire a taxi to take you there.

I stayed at Nazilhan (recommended above) in Behramkale last fall and also visited Bergama (driving from Foca). Both of these were part of a driving trip from Istanbul to Sirince. If you want any info on any of these places, I will post more. I did not visit Troy, however, so cannot help there.

Hi Grcxx3

If you want to go back to Selcuk. I recomemnd you rent a car in Istanbul then drive to Canakkale stay overnight in Canakkale or the hotel I mentioned above then drive to Selcuk.

This is the best way for you Because driving from Izmir to Troia or Troy and after visit come back to Selcuk takes alots of time on the road.

If you fly to Izmir to visit Troy then go to Selcuk back is WASTING you time and money.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz

HOw long a drive is it from Istanbul?

I drove from Istanbul through the Gallipoli peninsula (one of two route options ) and through Canakkale to Assos/Behramkale last fall. If you choose to go this route in order to visit Troy, know that the roads are excellent virtually all of the route. I agree that you ought to consider a visit to Bergama as well.

From Istanbul center to Canakkale takes 4-5 hours (depend on your driving) this is NON-STOP. less then 330 KM

Sinan

We did our trip with a tour and drove from IST along the coast to Gallipoli, then crossing by ferry to Canakkale where we had lunch. Continued to Troy for the afternoon and overnighted in Assos. Next morning we headed to Pergamon, lunch here, then Sardis in the afternoon before heading to Izmir arriving at dark.

If arriving Izmir at 2pm and driving from here, it will be a long day, requiring an overnight. You'd then visit Troy and maybe Pergamon the next day before returning to Izmir.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Sandi.

I know my current plan involves a little back-tracking, but my thought was to get up to the area near Troy, spend the night, visit the site, then head back south.

I may have to think about driving from Istanbul....we would get into IST about 10:30 am - plenty of time to get on the road and cover some distance.

Thinking.......thinking........

Which country are you flying from?

If it is long distance like USA. I recommend you rest for your JET LAG.. If you tell me about your trip I can give you better idea.

Sinan Akdeniz

We live in the Middle East - so no jet lag issues.

Can't tell you much more about the trip - because I am still in the thinking stage. At this point, I'm just trying to gather information!!!

I appreciate everyone's help!

You will need to have a very good imagination when you visit Troy, the ruins are well.....pretty ruined ! Don't think Troy as in the movie !Cannakale has several quality hotels and resorts that have sprung up in the last few years and is close !

My friends and I stayed in Canakkale in about 1969. Our room was more in the $2.00 per night than in the hundred euro category. We were the town's major entertainment for the three days we stayed there while our car was being repaired. Apparently the folks there weren't used to seeing three women traveling without men.

Even though there wasn't much in the way of ruins in Troy, I felt the site was very moving. It was so easy to imagine the Greek and Trojan armies in battle there...Achilles, Hector, Patroclus, Paris. A memorable visit.

I think part of the appeal of Troy - for me - IS the fact that it isn't intact and hasn't been "rebuilt." I want to be able to imagine.....and I want my kids to think about what it must have been like.