Small-Group Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

Visit the key sites of the Gallipoli Peninsula, the scene of one of World War I’s costliest military campaigns, on this moving full-day tour from Istanbul. With an expert guide beside you to explain the 1915-1916 Allied campaign — largely undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) — visit the sites of The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly, ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair; and stop for an included lunch along the way. Enjoy the undivided attention of your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 14 people.

USD $155.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   John H,    October 2015
Great well organised trip_br/_ Highly recomended

Review by:   D M S,    September 2015
Fantastic tour. Great guide Mahmoud very knowledgeable brought tears to our eyes.

Review by:   Graeme B,    July 2015
Very special place for all Australians, New Zealanders and Turkish people. Great to see this with an unbiased viewpoint with a Turkish guide. However, it is a long day! Nearly 18 hours in total, including about 12 hours on the road. But the good side was a thorough all areas guided tour of Gallipoli and Anzac Cove and the memorials.

Review by:   Stevo,    June 2015
Long day but well worth the effort_br/_ Driver and two guides were very friendly, helpful and informative_br/_ Not too many toilets during tour of Gallipoli itself so be aware

Review by:   Nancy O,    January 2015
the best part of our holiday in Europe - our guide was passionate, knowledgeable and seemed pleased to be showing us the battle field._br/_ lots of stops, on and off the bus to visit sites and a good explanation of what happened at each of the sites. Great photo opportunities.

Review by:   Esther P,    December 2014
Had a fantastic time. _br/_ The tour guide was amazing who obviously had a real passion for the history of the area._br/_ The drive from Istanbul was worth it definitely.

Review by:   Gail B,    October 2014
THE TOUR GUIDE WAS EXCELLENT

Review by:   Scotty,    September 2014
The tour wasn't 15hours, it was more like 18. The guide we got in Gallipoli was a world of knowledge. The bus seats are very small so hard on the knees if you are over 5'5.

Review by:   Janelle,    August 2014
While the tour was great and the guide was very knowledgable I think the title and additional cost of the tour was wrongly advertised. A small group tour to me is no more than 12 people however we were on tour with nearly 40 people. It was really disappointing as we were expecting the small group tour to be quite intimate and have more access to the guide however as it was so large I didn't feel we got the same experience. If I had know it would be such a large group I would have booked the normal tour. If I have any family and friends thinking of doing this tour I wouldn't recommend it as the normal tour would suffice.

Review by:   John A,    August 2014
It was a really fantastic day. Long, as everyone else said. Take your own snacks and water.

Review by:   James O,    June 2014
Amazing trip, worth every cent. Something every Aussie should do, very informative guide, long day but worth it !

Review by:   lauren.storey,    June 2014
Amazing guide, so much knowledge. A moving experience. Long day but well worth it

Review by:   lauren.storey,    June 2014
Amazing guide, so much knowledge. A moving experience. Long day but well worth it

Review by:   Ashley R,    December 2013
What an amazing day. Very long but completely worthwhile. Informative experienced guide who took us to so many pivotal places in our history.

Review by:   Zina D,    December 2013
Thoroughly enjoyed Gallipoli and will recommend this tour highly, extremely moving experience!

Review by:   Robert W,    December 2013
Be prepared for a very long day however this tour is well worth it. Pickup from your Hotel at 6 am and drop off back to your hotel close to midnight. About 5 hours drive to Gallipoli and then another 5 hours back to your hotel in Istanbul. A few things in regards to Neon of which we were not happy about. As we booked this tour with Neon we expected a Neon Tour Bus to pick us up. However, the Tour group that took us was Hassle Free Tours. The guide (Munt) did not speak to us much at all on the 5 hour journey to Gallipoli only to tell us when it was time to have a break and what time to be back on the bus. When we finally arrived in Gallipoli another Tour Guide (Murat) took over and then it started to get a lot better from there. We had lunch (which was okay) before we set off on our tour around Gallipoli. Murat was excellent, spoke very good English, had a great sense of humour and his knowledge on the history of Gallipoli is very extensive. He gave us a great insight and an unbiased account of the strategies they used and how these soldiers suffered through this sad time. We started from the beginning right to the end and took in all the important landmarks. About 6pm we headed back to Istanbul - quite exhausted - and arrived back at our Hotel around midnight. The drivers both ways were excellent. However just a heads up that the food in these road side services doesn't look too appetising and if you have a sensitive tummy you are better off bringing some of your own snacks (we had bananas etc). Well worth it.

Review by:   Anastasia G,    October 2013
The day was very good! The guide was knowledgeable and thorough and very interesting! Very full one day trip. Extremely worthwhile

Review by:   Jeffery I,    September 2013
The tour of Gallipoli itself was extremely good, but the whole day was spoilt by the lack of communication regarding the transport from Istanbul to Gallipoli and return. We were part of a very full tour, and without exception every person was disappointed in the confusion caused by the lack of advice that was forthcoming on the outward and return journeys. Otherwise this would have been a very very good experience.

Review by:   Andrea T,    August 2013
This tour was great. The bus ride was quite long and our bus had problems with the airconditioning, but apart from that it was comfortable and enjoyable. The tour of Gallipoli itself was informative and interesting, the guide was very knowledgeable and his information was interesting to listen to. We had a couple of waits, one at the lunch break and one after the tour, while we were waiting for other people who were meeting us from another tour, and this was a little annoying. All in all the tour was good though and I would recommend it to others.

Review by:   Kathryn H,    August 2013
The most amazing tour we did on our 4 week holiday!!! The drive to and from Istanbul is long, but comfortable and you can nap :) The tour itself was amazing - a must do for any Kiwi's or Aussie's. Once you start the tour there aren't alot of toilet stops so pace drinking your water! Also bring snacks for the drive there and home. Such a beautiful place to visit would go back in a heart beat!

Review by:   Stephanie B,    August 2013
Although its a long drive it is worth every minute! Our good was wonderful and so knowledgable and adapted the tour to how we liked it and what we wanted to see. Sends goosebumps down your spine being there. A must do trip, loved it!!!

Review by:   Ainslie G,    August 2013
It's a long trip but well worth it. The tour guide was very knowledgable

Review by:   Carmel S,    August 2013
Bus was comfortable, tour guide was informative. A very memorable experience.

Review by:   Lynne M H,    July 2013
Very long day but worth it .

Review by:   Colin V,    July 2013
A very full day but comprehensive._br/_ Made special by our excellent professional guide and his delightful sense of humour

Review by:   Leonie,    July 2013
This was the most moving experience of my life, unforgettable, guide was very informative, don't leave Turkey without being drawn into this tour, it has a hold on you as soon as you step onto Anzac Cove, it's very haunting, you can feel the presents of all those boys and men that lost their lives on the shores of a the unforgiving coastline of Turkey.

Review by:   TomandPam,    June 2013
Very worthwhile tour for those interested in the Australian and New Zealand history in 1915. Day trip is very long, with no particular hurry to get you there or get you home, around 5 hours each way. The guide when you arrive is excellent and has a great balance in the presentation of Turkish and Allied events. Recommended, but only for those who can handle the bus trip, (driver and roads were fine)

Review by:   Leisa v,    June 2013
Learnt so much about the Anzacs as well as the Turkish side of the battle. This tour was informative and well worth the trip from Istanbul.....great day out and such an important part of Aussie history

Review by:   Robert J Johnso J,    October 2012
Excellent visit with a first class guide

Review by:   Alan E,    October 2012
The best thing about the day was the guide. The site itself was fascinating. The day was made longer by delays in picking up from hotels and the changer to other buses. The bus was small and cramped for the long day.

Review by:   MILTON O,    August 2012
The trip was great, it is a very long day but GALLIPOLI is a must for any Aussie, Kiwi or Pom. _br/_ The tour guide was great, fantastic knowledge and just the right amount of time at each spot._br/_ The downside was the bus trip home, heavy traffic after the EID Holiday. That was ok, however what is not ok was the fact the bus driver and his off sider, who did not pick us up at the start of the day, had no idea about our hotel location or other peoples hotel. This added at least another hour to an already long day. So a must do trip but please make sure all drivers have a good understanding of hotel locations._br/_ Milton

Review by:   Paul J S,    August 2012
The saving grace of this tour was that the guide taking us around the Gallipoli area, he was superb, he could not have been better. Also pick up was on time . However, the small mini-bus - 15 seater for 15 of us, meant we were cramped and it was not suitable for such a long trip of 5 hours or more each way, though okay for locally around Gallipoli area - just not on main roads when a larger more comfortable bus is needed. The driver on the way out was a nightmare. He wandered all over the road, used the indicators only once (in view of a police car), did not use his seatbelt and took 6 incoming calls plus made one outgoing one also - NOT using hands-free. To westerners this is unacceptable and we felt put us at risk. The stops en-route seem to be more to suit the driver and courier's cigarette breaks than the client's convenience. The first stop on the way out was abysmal! Filthy cafe, slow service and the toilets next door in the OPet garage disgusting. Returning driver was much better, but still cigarette stops required even though we were behind schedule and back at midnight only.

Review by:   kassado,    August 2012
Great tour

Review by:   Nic,    August 2012
It was a hot Wednesday, an early day that started with pick up at 6:45am. A long ride on a mini van where I could catch up on some sleep but also taking the opportunity to overlook the suburbs and countryside of Istanbul. Overall even though half of the day was taken up by getting there and back the 5-6 hours that was the tour there was educational and memorable with a passionate Turkish tour guide . Being able to learn and see it through the eyes of the countless soldiers who fought tirelessly and the number that lost their lives seem to outweigh the amount that survived. Best to do this day tour and also have another day available for Troy. I know I will be going back for that. Most cemeteries and memorials were situated by the beach and is quite peaceful where people would go swim. The lunch provided at a restaurant in Maydas (situated by the ocean) was tasty.

Review by:   GEOFFREY B,    July 2012
Enjoyed the trip overall. The small bus wasn't that comfortable for the ten hour trip. Lunch was ordinary at best. Guide was very good.

Review by:   DIANE V G,    June 2012
Absolutely fantastic excursion and was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Our tour guide was brilliant and very informative. It's a very emotional experience to be there and hear about the many things that happened and to see the memorial and see the trenches where our Aussie Diggers fought and I am very glad I experienced it - my dad fought in the war so I am sure he would have been proud to know that I visited there.

Review by:   SassyGirl,    June 2012
This was a great day trip and fulfilled our expectations of visiting Gallipoli. It was an incredibly long day but worth it and our only complaint was the lunch stop was very ordinary. But other than that, it was a fabulous experience.

Review by:   Tamara C,    October 2011
We had a great time on this trip - was great to see in person a piece of Aussie/Kiwi history. It was a long day, but we were given so much information from a wonderful tour guide once there in Gallipoli. Don't expect too much on the bus trip - we were hardly given any information to or from Gallipoli which we were hoping for. We did however have the opportunity to watch a Gallipoli documentary on the way back in the bus which was good. Would definitely recommend this if you have any interest - it is a very informative, educational and eye opening day.

Review by:   Rowan T,    October 2011
Our guide was ok, but struggled with English and repeated himself a lot. Apart from that, the trip was well organised and worth doing.

Review by:   Samo T,    October 2011
Excellent trip, but exhausting. Guide, who lives in Canakkale, was nice and very informative. I recommend this trip, but be prepared because the whole trip takes about 17 hours.

Review by:   terrence l d,    October 2011
A very long day , but most informative and a memory that will last forever thanks Terry and Karen

Review by:   Laurie,    October 2011
Magnificent tour in every respect. Every Australian should do it. Guide professional and very informative. Would highly recommend this tour company. Transport comfortable and trip very pleasant over such a long distance. Saw all the sights and with expert cometary, it put the entire confrontation into perspective for both countries. Plenty of time left at each site for visual and contemplation.

Review by:   Michelle L,    September 2011
I was very much looking forward to seeing Gallipoli desipute the long drive to do it in one day, particularly to see the site where my great-grand father had fought. _br/_ We were picked up late from our hotel even though our booking and we had received no communication we would be travelling under another tour company. _br/_ The transport was most definately not an air conditioned coach as the booking form says, but rather a mini-van with air conditioning that leaked water on us, bad suspension and a driver who drove very inappropriately (speeding, swerving, braking hard etc) that even my hoon of a husband felt like complaining then and there! For such a long journey I expected something a little more comfortable._br/_ The food was average, lunch was reasonable but dinner we just stopped at a service station which really only had one hot food option - I would recomend bringing your own dinner!_br/_ Now all that aside, down to the actual tour of Gallipoli. Our guide was good, but not fantastic. He gave us a good overview but not too much detail - he said he didn't want to bore us with detail but that is exactly what we were there for! Being Australian we already knew the overview fairly well, although to his credit he gave a very good wider explanation of WW1. I mentioned by great-grathers squadran to him, but he basically just said "oh OK" and offered no further informaiton._br/_ The reason I rate this "worth doing" is that we still enjoyed visited Gallipoli very much as it is a special place. _br/_ There are alot of good reviews about a female guide, perhaps these people actual did travel.

Review by:   Wayne L,    September 2011
This was a very long day but well worth the travel time . Well organised .

Review by:   Anna H,    September 2011
Well organized trip, well-informed and friendly guide, good atmosphere, travelled with a small group of people which was good. _br/_ unfortunately the trip is very long (5h drive one way), but it is definetely worth seeing!

Review by:   David C B,    August 2011
Our Gallipoli trip started later than forecast by the operator but other than that small issue the trip went asa described. The bus was comfortable, the guide was professional, the tour covered all the key points of the battlefield from both sides. Be aware the drivers in Istanbul survive by inches do not be alarmed they are very good.

Review by:   Jessica U,    August 2011
An early

Review by:   Jessica U,    August 2011
An

Review by:   Jeremy R,    August 2011
We were a party of 6 with 2 small children, and 4 adults. We found the tour amazing. Every New Zelander or Australian must do this tour. Although it is a long day the kids coped really well with many stops along the way for them to explore. Our guide was very knowledgable and friendly. We were picked up from our hotel on time and dropped off at the end of the tour. The only thing lacking was a decent place to eat on the way home, the road side stops or petrol stations dont really provide excellent food. Transportation to and from Gallipoli was comfortable and safe.

Review by:   Brendan R,    August 2011
Fantastic tour with a wonderful and very knowledgeable tour guide. The day was long but the overall experience was well worth the time and cost. Good value for money. Would recommend to anyone.

All Traveler Reviews...